SNAP Quality Control Annual Reports

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Quality Control (QC) Annual Report presents official quality control error rates and other statistical data derived from the SNAP QC reviews conducted for fiscal year (FY) 2019.

Each state agency conducts monthly QC reviews of a statistical sample of households participating in SNAP (active cases) and households for which participation was denied, suspended, or terminated (negative cases). These reviews measure the validity of SNAP cases at a given time. The reported state payment error rate (PER) and case and procedural error rate (CAPER) are based on these reviews. The reviews also provide information on the cause of the identified error.

After these state reviews, federal reviews of each state’s sample are conducted to validate each state agency’s error rate. The official rates for active and negative cases - PER and CAPER - listed in this report are based upon these Federal final determinations of state agency subsamples.

In FY 2019, SNAP provided $56 billion in benefits to needy Americans, more than half of whom are children and the elderly. Efficient and effective program administration is vital to the continued successful delivery of support to American households.

Local agencies certify households for SNAP benefits and, along with the state agencies, are directly responsible for operating the SNAP. While the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) can assist states through a variety of methods, the states themselves must ultimately make the commitment to conduct accurate and efficient program operations. FNS remains committed to supporting the ongoing efforts of states to increase the accuracy of SNAP certification actions and to preserving Program integrity.

To help support these efforts, FNS has undertaken special initiatives designed to increase payment accuracy. Activities in FY 2019 included: continued funding for state exchange activity; FNS meetings and conferences that include payment accuracy; technical assistance to states; and sharing publications of successful payment accuracy strategies implemented across the country.

The Agricultural Act of 2014 set the QC tolerance level for the exclusion of small errors at $37, a reduction from $50. This tolerance level is further adjusted each subsequent fiscal year by the percentage by which the thrifty food plan is adjusted. For FY 2019, the tolerance level remains unchanged from the $37 threshold set in FY 2018.

In addition to efforts to increase the accuracy of SNAP certification actions, FNS is also continuing to make improvements to SNAP to ensure that it is responsive and effective in its support of those individuals and families who rely on its benefits. This includes making SNAP more accessible to needy individuals and working families.