WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture released data on June 24, 2026, concerning Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) error rates for the 2025 fiscal year. This release triggers upcoming financial responsibilities for states under federal cost-sharing rules.

More than 37 million people nationwide received SNAP benefits in March 2026, a decrease of nearly 5 million people from March 2025. SNAP error rates refer to the percentage of benefits paid either above or below the correct amount. The federal government currently covers the full cost of SNAP benefits, while administrative costs are split 50-50 between federal and state governments.

The annual SNAP cost-sharing requirement, part of a tax-and-spending law signed by President Donald Trump in July 2025, is scheduled to begin in October 2027. This law also expanded work, volunteer, or job training requirements for many adult SNAP recipients. States with high error rates have until October 2027 to reduce their errors before cost-sharing applies. Federal law requires states to start paying 75% of SNAP administrative costs in October 2026.

Beginning in October 2027, states with SNAP error rates of 6% or greater could be required to pay a portion of the benefits. States with rates between 6% and 8% will pay 5% of benefit costs, while those with rates between 8% and 10% will pay 10%. States with error rates over 10% will pay 15% of benefit costs. Federal law allows states to use either their 2025 or 2026 error rates to determine these cost-sharing obligations.

Nine states are exempt from the SNAP cost-sharing requirement due to their low error rates. South Dakota recorded the lowest SNAP error rate in fiscal year 2025 at approximately 2.5%. Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Vermont, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming also had error rates below 6% in fiscal year 2025. Nebraska had a SNAP error rate of 5.9% in the same fiscal year. Missouri had a SNAP error rate of 8.7% in the 2025 fiscal year.

States with SNAP error rates of at least 13.34% in the 2025 fiscal year will have their cost-share requirements delayed until at least the 2029 fiscal year. Alaska recorded the highest SNAP error rate in the 2025 fiscal year at over 23%. Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, New Mexico, Oregon, and the District of Columbia received a one-year delay in their SNAP cost-sharing requirements. States whose SNAP error rates exceed 13.34% in 2026 could have their cost-sharing requirements delayed until the 2030 fiscal year.

Chloe Green, Assistant Director for Policy at the American Public Human Services Association, said in a podcast interview, "There are billions of dollars that are at stake that states will have to find the money to be able to pay if they want to continue to operate a SNAP program." A survey by the American Public Human Services Association found that SNAP payment errors are evenly attributable to recipients and program administrators. More than a quarter of states responding to the survey indicated they might consider narrowing SNAP eligibility policies, with four states considering withdrawing from the program entirely.

Brooke Rollins, Agriculture Secretary, said in a podcast interview, "These payment error rates are further proof that state accountability is severely lacking in SNAP." Katie Bergh, Senior Policy Analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said, "The error-rate data really underscore the urgent need for Congress to delay this massive cost shift to state budgets." Bergh also added, "This is coming at a time when millions of people have already lost food assistance."