Illinois SNAP Errors Could Result in $700 Million Penalties
Illinois is at risk of incurring significant penalties due to errors in determining eligibility for food assistance under a new federal law.
The state's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) error rate was 11.56% in 2024, exceeding the national average and ranking worse than 38 other states.
- SNAP error rate: 11.56% in 2024
- Overpayments accounted for 10.6% of errors
- Underpayments were rare, at less than 1%
Illinois’ 12% error rate could cost the state $705 million annually
To mitigate these penalties and protect taxpayers and struggling families, Illinois must improve its administrative precision, potentially by following the lead of other states.
Author's summary: Illinois faces $700 million in penalties due to SNAP errors.
Path Forward
By increasing administrative precision and reducing errors, Illinois can minimize the risk of penalties and ensure that food assistance reaches those who need it most.