SNAP is a state administered federal program. SNAP state agencies must provide good customer service by operating the program efficiently. This includes ensuring eligible applicants receive benefits on time. The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 requires that all eligible households receive SNAP benefits within 30 days of application or within seven days for those eligible for expedited service.
Timely SNAP Benefits for Eligible Households
It is a SNAP state agency’s responsibility to certify eligible applicants and provide benefits on time. State agencies must follow standards set by federal law. FNS monitors states’ timeliness through:
- FNS application processing timeliness (APT) rates obtained through the SNAP quality control (QC) system;
- state quarterly reports,
- state-calculated APT rates,
- management evaluation reviews,
- advocate and client complaints, and
- other methods of information gathering.
Application Processing Timeliness Rates
FNS calculates the APT rate using data from Quality Control reviews. FNS compares how many applications are approved on time out of the total number of applications received. For more information on how the APT rate is calculated, see the memos at the bottom of this page.
Annual APT Rates
Note: The suspension of certain quality control requirements during the COVID-19 public health emergency resulted in a lack of available data to calculate APT rates for fiscal years 2020 and 2021.
FNS Oversight and Escalation Procedures
Low APT rates are unacceptable because they mean eligible households are experiencing delays in receiving food benefits. When states fall short of their legal timeliness requirements, FNS offers resources, tools, and best practices to help states improve. FNS also visits states in person to understand and help address the root causes of their benefit delays.
If APT rates remain low, FNS requires detailed corrective action plans from states, setting benchmarks and outlining the steps they will take to improve their processes and timeliness.
If states continue to fail to meet the timeliness rules, FNS will begin a structured escalation process:
- Advanced warning letter signaling the need for urgent attention.
- Formal warning letter alerting the state that its federal funds are at risk if it does not meet the benchmarks outlined by FNS.
FNS may deviate from this structured process when APT rates are particularly low or if there are unique circumstances within the state agency.
Guidance and Policy Memos
- Keys to Application Processing Timeliness - A guide for state agencies
- Updated Guidance for Improving State Timeliness Rates: Standardizing the Escalation Process
- Guidance for Improving State Agency RPT Rates: Standardizing the Escalation Process
- Clarification on the three ways initial SNAP application processing timeliness is measured
- State Agency Requirements for Required and Missing Verification for Regular Initial Applications
- Ensuring Timely Benefits to Eligible Households