FY 16 SNAP QC Tolerance Level

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program's Quality Control (QC) system uses a tolerance level to set the threshold for determining which errors are included in the national payment error rate calculation. Errors above the threshold are included in determining error rates. Errors below the threshold are still recorded and referred to the eligibility worker to make any necessary case corrections, but are not included in the error rate calculation.

Pursuant to changes in Section 4019 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the Act), the Department set the QC tolerance threshold at $37 for fiscal year (FY) 2014. The Act also requires the Food and Nutrition Service to adjust the FY 2014 tolerance level for future years by the percentage by which the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) is adjusted under Section 3(u)(4) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended. 

The first year the TFP based adjustment occurred was FY 2015 when it increased from $37 to $38. There was no change in the FY 2016 TFP from FY 2015; therefore, the tolerance threshold will remain at $38 for FY 2016. 

For FY 2016, all state agencies shall use $38 as the QC tolerance level for excluding small errors. All errors, regardless of dollar amount, shall continue to be reported in accordance with existing policy. Please contact your regional office, if you have any questions regarding FY 2016 QC tolerance level.

Ronald K. Ward
Director
Program Accountability and Administration Division