UPDATE: Virginia is launching an urgent initiative to significantly reduce its SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) error rate, which currently stands at a troubling 11%. The state must lower this figure to 6% by 2027 to avoid losing $270 million annually in federal funding. This initiative, named “SNAP Forward,” was announced by Governor Glenn Youngkin and comes in response to a recent reconciliation bill passed by Congress.
With 850,000 Virginians and millions nationwide affected by a federal government shutdown this fall, the urgency is palpable. The legislative changes mandate that states with high error rates may have to foot part of the bill for SNAP benefits themselves, a significant shift in policy.
Virginia’s administration has taken decisive steps, including the hiring of KPMG under a $1.7 million contract to support targeted strategies for improving SNAP payment accuracy. KPMG will also develop training materials for local Department of Social Services (DSS) workers, who are facing increased workloads due to new verification requirements. Virginia’s DSS has begun a series of virtual meetings with local workers to address these changes.
Starting October 1, 2023, recipients can no longer self-attest their income and expenses; state employees must now verify this information. By March 2026, verifying household composition will also become mandatory. These changes aim to curb errors, which often arise from paperwork mistakes or outdated beneficiary information.
The Virginia League of Social Services Executives has raised concerns about the additional administrative burden on smaller local offices, which may struggle under the new processes. As Virginia prepares for the 2026 legislative session, incoming Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger will influence the state’s budget negotiations, which could further impact SNAP funding and management.
Youngkin has previously highlighted the importance of reducing SNAP error rates in his budget presentations, but many details remain scarce. As the state gears up for these changes, lawmakers and advocates warn that local social services may face overwhelming demands, especially with concurrent Medicaid eligibility changes.
Virginia’s outgoing budget proposal allocates $2.4 million for a quality assurance team, intended to identify and rectify SNAP payment errors. The effectiveness of this initiative will ultimately depend on the upcoming budget negotiations, where Spanberger’s administration will have pivotal decisions to make.
This development is crucial not just for the state’s finances, but for the well-being of its residents who rely on SNAP benefits to afford basic necessities. As Virginia navigates this landscape, the stakes are high, and residents are watching closely.
Stay tuned for more updates on this critical issue as Virginia’s SNAP Forward initiative unfolds.
