Illinois SNAP Errors Could Result in $700 Million in Penalties
Illinois is at risk of incurring millions of dollars in penalties due to errors in determining eligibility for food assistance under a new federal law.
To safeguard taxpayers and support struggling families, the state must enhance its administrative accuracy.
Illinois taxpayers could be liable for millions in penalties if the state makes excessive mistakes in food assistance eligibility.
The error rate for Illinois' Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as reported by the Department of Agriculture, was 11.56% in 2024, exceeding the national average and ranking worse than 38 other states.
- The 12% error rate could result in an annual cost of $705 million to the state.
- SNAP underpayments were rare, occurring at a rate of less than 1%.
- Overpayments accounted for 10.6% of Illinois' SNAP errors in 2024.
Author's summary: Illinois faces penalties due to SNAP errors.