The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, requires the SNAP QC system use a tolerance level to set a monetary threshold for determining which QC errors are included in the calculation of payment error rates. This threshold is adjusted annually to correspond with changes in the Thrifty Food Plan. The threshold will increase from $57 in FY 2025 to $58 for FY 2026.

USDA has established the SNAP Information Database. In accordance with Secretary Rollins’ July 9, 2025, letter, and in order to ensure a complete and accurate database, state agencies must be compliant with the requirement of transmitting SNAP participant data to FNS no later than July 30, 2025.

We work in partnership with state agencies to provide nutrition assistance to Americans in need through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It is imperative that USDA eliminates bureaucratic duplication and inefficiency and enhances the government's ability not only to have point-in-time information but also to detect overpayments and fraud.

USDA letter to Governors about SNAP Application Processing Timeliness.

This document supplements the "Keys to Payment Accuracy" and "Keys to Application Processing Timeliness" guides by highlighting strategies and considerations for state agencies to ensure they meet program requirements for both priorities.