Snap Back Inaccurate SNAP Payments Act

2/5/2024, 11:45 AM

Snap Back Inaccurate SNAP Payments Act

This bill requires states to recoup any overpayments of benefits made to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients and adjusts the formula for determining a state's liability rate for overpayments.

As background, the SNAP quality control system measures how accurately SNAP state agencies determine a household’s eligibility and benefit amount and determines overpayments of benefits and underpayments. States that have comparatively high payment error rates for two consecutive years are assessed a penalty (i.e., liability amount). The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) must use a statutory formula to determine the liability amount.

Under current law, FNS must set a tolerance level for excluding small payment errors (e.g., $54 or less in FY2023). This bill reduces the tolerance level for excluding small errors to $0 for FY2024 and each succeeding fiscal year.

The bill also requires state agencies to recoup any overpayments of benefits made to SNAP beneficiaries.

The bill adjusts the liability rate formula to reduce the state payment error rate based on the percentage of overpayments recouped by the state. Further, the bill increases the multiplier used in the formula to 25% (from 10%). 

Bill 118 hr 6501, also known as the Snap Back Inaccurate SNAP Payments Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to address inaccuracies in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments.

The bill aims to improve the accuracy of SNAP payments by requiring the Department of Agriculture to establish a system for identifying and correcting errors in SNAP payments. This system would include regular reviews of SNAP payment accuracy, as well as measures to prevent and detect fraud and abuse in the program.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions to increase transparency and accountability in the SNAP program. It requires the Department of Agriculture to report to Congress on the accuracy of SNAP payments, as well as any actions taken to address errors and fraud in the program. Overall, the Snap Back Inaccurate SNAP Payments Act seeks to ensure that SNAP benefits are distributed accurately and efficiently, while also holding the program accountable for any errors or misuse of funds.
Congress
118

Number
HR - 6501

Introduced on
2023-11-29

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

11/29/2023

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Snap Back Inaccurate SNAP Payments Act

This bill requires states to recoup any overpayments of benefits made to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients and adjusts the formula for determining a state's liability rate for overpayments.

As background, the SNAP quality control system measures how accurately SNAP state agencies determine a household’s eligibility and benefit amount and determines overpayments of benefits and underpayments. States that have comparatively high payment error rates for two consecutive years are assessed a penalty (i.e., liability amount). The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) must use a statutory formula to determine the liability amount.

Under current law, FNS must set a tolerance level for excluding small payment errors (e.g., $54 or less in FY2023). This bill reduces the tolerance level for excluding small errors to $0 for FY2024 and each succeeding fiscal year.

The bill also requires state agencies to recoup any overpayments of benefits made to SNAP beneficiaries.

The bill adjusts the liability rate formula to reduce the state payment error rate based on the percentage of overpayments recouped by the state. Further, the bill increases the multiplier used in the formula to 25% (from 10%). 

Bill 118 hr 6501, also known as the Snap Back Inaccurate SNAP Payments Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to address inaccuracies in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments.

The bill aims to improve the accuracy of SNAP payments by requiring the Department of Agriculture to establish a system for identifying and correcting errors in SNAP payments. This system would include regular reviews of SNAP payment accuracy, as well as measures to prevent and detect fraud and abuse in the program.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions to increase transparency and accountability in the SNAP program. It requires the Department of Agriculture to report to Congress on the accuracy of SNAP payments, as well as any actions taken to address errors and fraud in the program. Overall, the Snap Back Inaccurate SNAP Payments Act seeks to ensure that SNAP benefits are distributed accurately and efficiently, while also holding the program accountable for any errors or misuse of funds.

Policy Areas
Agriculture and Food

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary11/12/2024

Snap Back Inaccurate SNAP Payments Act

This bill requires states to recoup any overpayments of benefits made to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients and adjusts the formula for determining a state's li...


Latest Action1/24/2024
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture.