USDA Looking At SNAP Error Rates

Of the SNAP benefits issued, how many are issued in error, either too low or too high?  The last time the USDA reported the error rate was for fiscal year 2014.  At that time, officials uncovered inconsistencies in the quality-control data coming from the various states.  The USDA stopped reporting error rates in order to correct those problems.

"With corrective action, and additional monitoring, the USDA is now able to calculate a national error rate for fiscal year 2017."

Brandon Lipps, Acting Undersecretary, says that the error rate for 2014, not fraud or theft, was just over 3.6%.  For 2017, that rate jumped to 6.3%.

But Lipps said, "That does not necessarily reflect an increase in program errors. It does reflect an improved process that has strengthened the integrity of the SNAP error rate measurement process."

Lipps added decisions about the program now can be made based on reliable information.

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