USDA SNAP benefit errors cost $10.1 billion in improper payments

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – In late June, the US Department of Agriculture sent out payment error rates for SNAP benefits. On that list were categories of overpayments, underpayments and payment error rates.

The District of Columbia and states like New Mexico and Alaska were among the highest rates of overpayments. According to the USDA, the total of underpayments and overpayments equaled $10.1 billion of improper payments in the U.S. 

We reached out to Team Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services, who said Kentucky has the lowest error rates across the nation. They also said that there are swift steps to fix errors.

“If a household received less than it was entitled to receive, the department issues any required supplemental benefits. If a household received more benefits than it was eligible to receive, the department follows federal rules regarding claims establishment and repayment, taking into consideration the type and cause of the error,” the cabinet said in a statement.

If you or anyone you know in the Commonwealth state has experienced any form of SNAP benefits error, you are urged to contact your Kynect benefits agent.