Overview of the SNAP QC Process
State agencies randomly select a sample of households participating in SNAP in their state each month, a total of about 50,000 cases nationwide each year. State agency staff interview participants and conduct a detailed examination of their household circumstances. The information gathered is used to measure how accurately states determined the selected households’ eligibility and benefit amounts. States then calculate the number of errors, both as overpayments and underpayments.
Errors that are found during the QC process must be corrected: overpayments must be paid back and underpayments are corrected, so that each household gets exactly what they were eligible for.
The USDA FNS double checks the accuracy of approximately 25,000 of the cases reviewed by the states to validate that the states’ reviews were conducted properly and in line with policy regulations. If a review is inaccurate, the USDA FNS will change the finding so that it is correct or will send the case back to the state for further review. The goal of the re-review process is to get an accurate answer and benefit calculation.
The USDA FNS analyzes the data, taking into consideration the size of a state’s caseload and other variables. Based on that analysis, the USDA FNS establishes national and statement payment error rates. The payment error rates are announced by the FNS every June.
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