Michigan reports double-digit errors in SNAP benefit payments

A large number of food stamp recipients are not receiving the correct amount of benefits each month, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

About 1.3 million people in Michigan receive assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) each month. SNAP benefits help people in low-income households by providing food assistance. Those who qualify receive Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, and the money loaded onto these cards can be used to purchase food.

SNAP benefit errors across the United States

According to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), the program overpaid recipients about 10 percent of the time in 2023, while the underpayment rate in the U.S. was 1.64 percent.

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While many states have double-digit error rates on payments, Alaska is the worst state: Nearly 60 percent of SNAP recipients receive more than they are entitled to each month.

Michigan SNAP Performance Failure Rates

While Michigan’s error rates are more in line with the national average, the Great Lakes State ranks in the bottom half: 26 states have lower overall payment error rates.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Federal National Insurance (FNS) report shows that 8.69 percent of SNAP beneficiaries in Michigan were overpaid in 2023. However, only 2.03 percent of recipients were underpaid, making Michigan’s overall payment error rate 10.72 percent.

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According to Newsweek, the total overpayments account for a loss of more than $10 billion in federal funds.