Hailey
Kansas is facing a major financial threat as state lawmakers are being accused of ignoring a critical audit that highlights persistent problems with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The audit shows that Kansas has repeatedly exceeded federal error limits on SNAP payments, which could cost the state tens of millions of dollars in federal penalties.
Despite these warnings, lawmakers have not yet taken strong enough action to address the underlying issues, putting federal funding and food assistance for low-income Kansans at risk.
What Is SNAP And Why Federal Rules Matter
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program designed to help low-income households buy nutritious food. The federal government reimburses states for SNAP benefits, but only if states maintain accurate eligibility and payment systems.
Federal rules require states to keep their annual SNAP payment error rates below 6%. Payment errors occur when benefits are improperly issued — either too much or too little.
If a state’s error rate stays above the limit, federal law allows the U.S. Department of Agriculture to impose financial penalties or reduce reimbursements, which can significantly impact state finances.
Audit Findings: Persistent Problems in Kansas
A recent audit conducted by Kansas auditors uncovered the following key findings:
- Kansas has exceeded the federal error rate limit every year since 2019.
- Some years saw error rates as high as 13%, more than double the allowable threshold.
- Even as the error rate has decreased slightly in recent years, it remains well above the 6% limit, estimated around 9–10% in the latest reporting period.
- Auditors identified hundreds of significant errors involving SNAP eligibility and payment determinations.
- Additional errors likely exist but were not counted because their dollar values were too small to be included in the official federal error rate calculations.
The audit pointed to several causes for these mistakes, including high staff turnover, confusing eligibility rules, inadequate verification of applicant information, and inconsistent training.
Federal Penalty Risk And Cost Implications
Under federal penalty rules, states with error rates above the threshold can face financial consequences. The structure generally works like this:
- States below the 6% requirement pay no penalty.
- States with error rates between 6% and 8% may pay a moderate match penalty.
- Those with error rates above 8% face a higher penalty rate.
- States with error rates above 10% are subject to the biggest penalties, potentially costing the state 15% of SNAP administrative costs in addition to repayment obligations.
Based on the audit, Kansas is at risk of penalties estimated at more than $40 million if it does not reduce errors significantly before the next federal review. Other estimates suggest the total impact could reach $80 million or more once broader cost categories are considered.
Lawmakers’ Response So Far
Although auditors have urged the Kansas Legislature to act swiftly to fix SNAP errors, many lawmakers have been slow to respond. Some key points in the political response include:
- Lawmakers have introduced limited corrective measures, but not enough to ensure compliance before federal deadlines.
- Disagreements continue over how best to address the root causes of errors.
- Some legislators argue that the problem stems from federal complexity rather than state administration, slowing efforts to implement reforms.
- Efforts to secure funding for improved technology, training, and oversight have been inconsistent and underfunded.
This lack of decisive legislative action raises concerns that Kansas could soon be forced to absorb millions in penalties or see a reduction in federal funding for SNAP.
State Efforts To Reduce Errors
Kansas officials say the state is taking steps to improve SNAP accuracy, including:
- Updating case management systems to better track eligibility and benefits.
- Increasing staff training and professional development.
- Establishing quality control review teams to catch errors before they affect official federal reporting.
While these efforts have resulted in some improvement, they haven’t been enough to bring Kansas under the required error threshold.
SNAP Error And Penalty Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Federal Error Rate Requirement | 6% |
| Kansas Error Rate (Recent) | ~9–10% |
| Highest Error Rate Recorded | ~13% |
| Estimated Penalty Risk | $41+ million |
| Possible Broader Cost Impact | Up to $80+ million |
| Major Causes Of Errors | Staff turnover; eligibility complexity; verification issues |
| Current State Efforts | System updates, training, review teams |
| Legislative Action | Limited and slow |
Kansas finds itself in a precarious position as lawmakers have yet to fully address the serious issues highlighted in the state audit of SNAP.
With error rates consistently exceeding federal limits and the risk of tens of millions of dollars in penalties, the situation demands immediate and effective action.
If legislators do not implement stronger reforms soon, Kansas could lose vital funding that supports food assistance for thousands of residents who depend on SNAP. This could have lasting social and economic consequences for low-income families across the state.