SNAP Case and Procedural Error Rates | Food and Nutrition Service

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Research and Data

Program Data

Technical Assistance

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FY 2023 (104.22 KB)

FY 2022 (142.48 KB)

FY 2019 (142.09 KB)

FY 2018 (142.26 KB)

FY 2017 (142.02 KB)

FY 2016 (142.13 KB)

FY 2015 (142.25 KB)

FY 2014 (142.04 KB)

FY 2013 (142.17 KB)

FY 2012 (142.04 KB)

It is essential that SNAP state agencies accurately determine who is eligible for benefits and how much they are eligible for. One of the ways this is measured is through payment error rates, which assess the accuracy of state eligibility and benefit determinations for households that received SNAP benefits. Another way is through case and procedural error rates, or CAPER, which assess cases when a household is denied SNAP benefits or has their benefits terminated or suspended.

A case and procedural error occurs when a state takes one or more inaccurate or procedurally incorrect actions when denying, terminating, or suspending a household’s SNAP benefits. CAPER reflects both the accuracy of the state agency’s determination and their compliance with federal procedural requirements around the determination. For example, states are required to notify households if their SNAP benefits may be denied, terminated, or suspended. They are required to do so via a clear notice that includes specific required language and is sent within a certain timeframe. If the state does not provide the notice, or the notice does not meet the other requirements, a case and procedural error has occurred, which will be reflected in the state’s overall CAPER.

FNS works closely with state agencies to minimize case and procedural errors through technical assistance, training for caseworkers, improving data systems, and implementing new policies and procedures.

graphic depicting the four aspects of caper: accuracy of action (was the decision to deny, terminate, or suspend accurate?), accuracy of procedures (were the procedures accurately followed?), accuracy of household notice (was the household notified in a clear and accurate way?), timeliness of action and notice (was the state's action and notification to the household made in a timely manner?)

Case and Procedural Error Rates by Fiscal Year

National Rates

fy16(23%), fy17(29%), fy18(38%), fy19(34%), fy20/21(no data), fy22(44%), fy23(45%) — Note: CAPER rates for FY20 and FY21 could not be determined due to COVID-19.

Fiscal Year 2023 CAPER Data

The graphs below illustrate the components of the FY23 national CAPER, which was 44.5%. This means that in 44.5% of cases where a household’s SNAP benefits were denied, terminated, or suspended:

The decision was inaccurate;
The notice provided to the household was inaccurate, unclear, insufficient;
The notice provided to the household was not timely; and/or
The procedures followed related to these decisions were inaccurate or not timely.

Accuracy of Action

accurate(81%), inaccurate(17%), insufficient(2%)

Accuracy of Household Notice

accurate(78%), inaccurate(18%), not specific, clear, or understandable(15%), required language not included(4%) — Figures do not add up to 100%, as one notice could have more than one issue. For the purpose of calculating the overall CAPER, this would be considered one error.

Accuracy of Procedures

periodic report - accurate(99%), inaccurate(1%); request for verification - accurate(83%), inaccurate(17%); request for contact - accurate(84%), inaccurate(16%); notice of missed interview - accurate(83%), inaccurate(17%)

Timeliness of Action and Notice

Action - Timely(84%),Early(3%),Late(13%); Notice - Timely(89%), not sent(7%), late(4%)