Washington, D.C. – A new bill making its way through Congress aims to fix a major issue in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): payment errors. Lawmakers behind the proposal say the government is overpaying nearly $1 billion a month in food stamp benefits, and they want to stop the waste while ensuring that benefits go to those who truly need them.
The “Snap Back Inaccurate SNAP Payments Act” was introduced by Representative Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA). If passed, it would make significant changes to how SNAP payments are calculated and monitored.
What’s in the Bill?
The legislation tackles two key issues:
🔹 Stricter Error Tracking – Right now, the USDA only counts payment mistakes as errors if they’re over $54. This bill would eliminate that threshold, meaning even the smallest mistakes would be counted.
🔹 More Accountability for States – States with high error rates could face penalties, encouraging them to improve how they determine eligibility and payment amounts.
The goal? To make sure SNAP benefits are distributed fairly and accurately—without overpaying or underpaying recipients.
Why Is This Happening Now?
A recent USDA report found that in 2022, nearly 10% of all SNAP payments were overpaid—a significant jump compared to previous years. At the same time, around 1.7% of payments were underpaid, meaning some families didn’t get the full amount they were entitled to.
Representative Feenstra stressed the importance of tightening up the system, saying, “Every month, SNAP overpayments account for nearly $1 billion in federal spending. This legislation is designed to eliminate waste and protect taxpayer dollars while making sure families in need get the right amount of assistance.”
How Will This Impact SNAP Recipients?
For most SNAP beneficiaries, this bill won’t mean losing benefits—just that payments will be more accurate. If you’ve been getting the right amount, you won’t see a difference. However, if you’ve been overpaid by mistake, the government could be more likely to notice and adjust your benefits.
On the other hand, families who have been underpaid might see an increase in their SNAP benefits as payment accuracy improves.
What Happens Next?
The bill is still in the early stages, and lawmakers will debate and make changes before it has a chance of becoming law. Advocacy groups and state agencies will likely weigh in on how to balance payment accuracy with making sure people don’t lose access to food assistance.
For now, SNAP recipients don’t need to worry about immediate changes—but if the bill passes, it could mean a much stricter system for how benefits are calculated and distributed in the future.
