NGA Statement on SNAP Payment Error Rates Data

National Governors Association (NGA) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Brandon Tatum provided the following statement regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) data released yesterday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which reflects older Payment Error Rates (PER):

"The data covers October 2024 to September 2025, before states and territories launched coordinated error-reduction efforts after H.R. 1 passed in July 2025. These error rates reflect a year that included major SNAP policy changes. Regardless, these data still show a national average of lower error rates compared to the previous data release.

"NGA remains committed to working with governors to strengthen program integrity as our governors continue to work hard to reduce error rates and comply with new federal legislation. Efficient and appropriate use of taxpayer dollars is of critical importance, and we are committed to helping states work through every implementation process. While NGA is actively working to support states in complying with the new law, we are also seeking more time to fully meet the 6% requirement.

"Changes to SNAP could raise costs by $218 million per state annually; beginning in FY 2027, states will also be required to cover 75% of SNAP administrative costs, representing an additional average increase of $67 million per state each year. These impacts cut across states of all sizes and political affiliations. All states will continue to face major budget impacts unless Congress adjusts the implementation timeline.

"We've had productive, bipartisan conversations with Senate and House leaders about adjusting implementation deadlines, and I remain hopeful that Congress will take action."