POLITICS

States Confront New SNAP Costs After Error Reports

PUBLISHED Jun 29, 2026, 8:18 AM ET

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Georgia officials this week reported a 15.2% SNAP error rate and are preparing to cover increased administrative fees and potential benefit repayments under the One Big Beautiful Bill enacted July 4, 2025; the state flagged 651,073 active SNAP cases as of May 31 and included $5.9 million in the FY2027 budget. Across states, USDA 2025 data show elevated error rates — Tennessee reported 9.44% — triggering provisions that could require states to reimburse a portion of federally funded benefits beginning October 2027; lawmakers and state agencies are reviewing appeals, budgeting options, and program improvements while some members of Congress urge swift corrective actions to avoid penalties.

By James Porter | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

July 4, 2025: Congress passes and the president signs the One Big Beautiful Bill, changing SNAP cost responsibilities.
FY2025: USDA releases state error-rate data showing multiple states exceed the 6% threshold.
May 31, 2025: Georgia reports 651,073 active SNAP cases and monthly benefit distribution figures.
Mid-2026: States begin budget planning and public statements; Georgia includes $5.9 million in FY2027.
October 2027: Financial penalty and state-payment provisions tied to error-rate thresholds are set to take effect.

News Intelligence

If you're a SNAP recipient in Georgia or Tennessee, these error rates could impact your benefits. Keep an eye on any changes to your SNAP account. If you're a taxpayer, this could affect state budgets and your tax dollars.