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Resource | Research and Data Understanding Risk Assessment in SNAP Payment Accuracy

This study provides an overview of the risk assessment tools currently used by the state agencies that administer the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to categorize those program applications more likely to incur payment errors and allocate resources to improve the accuracy of benefit payments to families participating in SNAP. 

12/30/2025
Resource | Research and Data Feasibility Study: Calculating Meal Claiming Error in Family Day Care Homes That Participate in CACFP Using State Monitoring Review Data

We explored the feasibility of using existing data from state monitoring reviews – a process designed to assess operations and provide real-time technical assistance to family day care homes operating CACFP – to estimate the rate of improper payments in those operations. This study found that flexibility in these reviews and the information they report across states, while beneficial for their main purpose, made the resulting data unusable for estimating a national improper payment rate.

01/14/2025
Resource | Research and Data | Payment Accuracy and Program Integrity Regional Office Review of Application (RORA) For School Meals 2011

This is the seventh in a series of annual reports that examines the administrative accuracy of eligibility determinations and benefit issuance for free or reduced-price meals in the NSLP. 

12/20/2012
Resource | Research and Data | Payment Accuracy and Program Integrity CACFP Assessment of Sponsor Tiering Determinations 2011

This is the seventh wave of a program assessment of the family daycare homes in the CACFP, 2011. The assessment provides a national estimate of the share of CACFP-participating family daycare homes that are approved for an incorrect level of per meal reimbursement, or reimbursement "tier," for their circumstances. 

12/19/2012
Resource | Research Plans Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (SEBTC) Demonstration Evaluation Findings of the Proof-of-Concept Year

The 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Act authorized and provided funding for USDA to implement and rigorously evaluate the Summer Food for Children Demonstration, one component of which is the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children.

12/03/2012
Resource | Research and Data | Payment Accuracy and Program Integrity WIC Erroneous Payments to Vendors: Annual Estimates for FY 2011

This report provides improper payment estimates for fiscal year 2011 using a methodology for “aging” the 2005 bookend study. The methodology yields nationally representative estimates of the number of vendors that over- and undercharged and the amount of over- and undercharges across all WIC vendors.

12/01/2012
Resource | Research and Data | Demonstrations Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (SEBTC) Demonstration: 2012 Congressional Status Report

Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (SEBTC) Demonstration:
2012 Congressional Status Report and Appendices Contract #: AG-3198-C-11-0002

11/01/2012
Resource | Research and Data | Demonstrations Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children: Evaluation Findings for Proof-of-Concept Year

The Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children conducted its initial proof-of-concept during the summer of 2011. The SEBTC demonstration aims to mitigate summer child food insecurity by leveraging existing EBT technologies used by the WIC and SNAP programs.

11/01/2012
Resource | Research and Data | Demonstrations Congressional Status Report on the 2012 Summer Food Service Program Enhancement Demonstrations

Final Congressional Status Report on the 2012 Summer Food Service Program Enhancement Demonstrations

10/10/2012
Resource | Research and Data | Payment Accuracy and Program Integrity Direct Certification in the NLSP: State Implementation Progress SY 2011-12: Report to Congress

Student eligibility for free meals is determined by application or by direct certification. Although direct certification systems vary by State and LEA, all such systems are designed to eliminate the need for paper applications. Effective in SY 2011-12, LEAs must conduct direct certification three times per year: once at or around the start of the school year, and again three and six months after that initial effort. All direct certification systems now match student enrollment lists against SNAP agency records and the records of other assistance agencies whose participants are categorically eligible for free meals. The matching process, whether automated or manual, requires no action by the children’s parents or guardians.

10/01/2012
Page updated: September 16, 2025