Illinois SNAP Errors Could Result in Significant Penalties
Illinois faces potential penalties of up to $700 million due to errors in determining eligibility for food assistance under a new federal law.
To mitigate this risk and protect both taxpayers and struggling families, the state must enhance its administrative accuracy.
Current Error Rate
The error rate for Illinois' Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as reported by the Department of Agriculture, was 11.56% in 2024. This rate exceeds that of 38 other states and surpasses the national average.
Consequences and Solutions
An error rate of 12% could annually cost the state $705 million. While underpayments were rare (less than 1%), overpayments accounted for 10.6% of Illinois' SNAP errors in 2024. Following the strategies of other states may provide a viable path forward.
Illinois’ comeback story starts here.
Author's summary: Illinois risks $700 million in penalties due to SNAP errors.