U.S. Agriculture Department Warns States Over SNAP Benefit Errors

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has warned several states it may withhold some federal funding for a key food assistance program. The action targets administrative funds for states with high error rates in distributing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This warning follows recent uncertainty over SNAP payments during a brief government shutdown. The USDA now emphasizes stricter oversight of state-level administration. Federal law requires the USDA to penalize states with persistently high error rates in calculating SNAP eligibility and benefit amounts. The affected administrative funds support state offices that run the program, not the direct food benefits for low-income families. The states facing potential funding cuts, including California and Wisconsin, have large urban populations. The USDA insists the enforcement is a standard procedure based on performance data, not political affiliation. State officials argue that complex eligibility rules and high caseloads contribute to errors.