With federal penalties looming, WA looks to curb food stamp payment errors

Washington state risks losing significant federal funding for its food stamp program due to an error rate that exceeds federal thresholds. The state is currently at an error rate of 6. 06%, just above the minimum required to avoid penalties, but projections indicate it may rise to over 8% in the upcoming fiscal year. A new federal law, passed by Congressional Republicans, mandates that states cover a portion of food stamp benefits based on their error rates, potentially costing Washington $200 million annually if improvements are not made. State officials are implementing measures to address these issues, including hiring new staff and increasing case reviews.

Concerns are rising that the changes could lead to limited enrollment in food assistance programs, harming low-income residents. Claire Lane from the Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Coalition highlights the potential tragedy of making states pay more to assist fewer people. The Department of Social and Health Services is seeking nearly $1. 7 million to fund initiatives aimed at reducing errors in benefit distribution. These initiatives include hiring additional staff and utilizing artificial intelligence to streamline processes.