The U.S. Department of Agriculture is taking decisive steps to confront widespread inefficiencies in how states manage the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), warning that delays in processing applications and recertifications are no longer acceptable. In a letter sent April 1 to governors across the country, the USDA’s Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services (FNCS) ordered immediate corrective actions to bring state agencies into compliance with federal law, signaling an end to what it called a lack of accountability and oversight.
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According to the USDA, 33 state agencies are currently failing to process SNAP applications within the federally mandated timelines—30 days for most households and just seven days for those in urgent need. In addition, 20 states are not meeting requirements for timely recertification. These delays are not only causing hardship for families in need but also placing an unnecessary burden on taxpayers, the department said. The USDA emphasized that the statutory requirements are not optional and that continued noncompliance would no longer be tolerated.
To address these persistent issues, Acting Deputy Under Secretary John Walk has directed the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to implement a five-step escalation process targeting states that remain out of compliance. This will include developing data-driven corrective action plans, deploying federal teams to assist with oversight and training, and working directly with state agencies to identify innovative strategies that enhance program efficiency and integrity.
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The USDA reiterated its stance that SNAP must function as a responsive and responsible safety net, not a slow-moving bureaucracy. The agency emphasized that it is committed to restoring public confidence in the program by ensuring it delivers timely support to eligible households while safeguarding taxpayer resources. States are being urged to act without delay to improve their systems and meet federal standards.
Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) press release.
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