USDA Demands State Accountability in SNAP

WASHINGTON, April 1, 2025 – Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services (FNCS) is taking steps to end government inefficiencies by issuing a stern warning to state agencies administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), demanding immediate action to address unacceptable delays in processing applications and recertifications. In a letter to governors, FNCS Acting Deputy Under Secretary John Walk made clear that states failing to meet federal requirements will be held accountable for their mismanagement of taxpayer dollars.

"The American people expect their government programs to operate with integrity, efficiency and accountability. Right now, too many state agencies are failing to do their jobs," said Acting Deputy Under Secretary John Walk. "Federal law is clear: States must process SNAP applications within 30 days for most households, and seven days for those in urgent need. That is not a suggestion—it is the law."

Currently, 33 state agencies are out of compliance for processing applications on time and 20 are failing to meet federal requirements for recertifications. This is unacceptable as these failures mean families in need are waiting too long for assistance, and hardworking taxpayers are footing the bill for bureaucratic incompetence.

"Let me be clear: This is not just a problem of inefficiency—it's a problem of accountability. The Biden Administration was not holding states accountable, but that ends now," Acting Deputy Under Secretary John Walk stated. "We are not going to tolerate endless excuses and red tape."

To address this persistent mismanagement, Walk has directed the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to take swift action, including:

• Implementing a five-step escalation process to bring non-compliant states in line;
• Partnering with states to enforce data-driven corrective action plans that get to the root cause of processing failures;
• Deploying federal oversight teams for on-the-ground monitoring, training and technical assistance to ensure compliance;
• Partnering with states to implement innovative ideas that improve program integrity and accountability.

USDA remains committed to ensuring SNAP operates as a responsible, temporary safety net—not a bloated, inefficient bureaucracy. States must act now to uphold their responsibility to the American taxpayer and the families who depend on these benefits.

Acting Deputy Under Secretary John Walk's letter to state agencies can be found on the FNS website.

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