Kansas may soon face a hefty $80 million increase in its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) costs, following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act by congressional Republicans.
This legislation, supported by the Trump administration, shifts more of the SNAP financial responsibility from the federal government to the states, with penalties tied directly to administrative error rates in benefit distribution.
Why Kansas Is Near the Maximum Penalty
The state’s current error rate stands at 9.98%, placing it just 0.02% below the highest penalty bracket, which begins at 10%.
This razor-thin margin means Kansas is dangerously close to having to cover 15% of SNAP costs—the most any state can be charged under the new rules.
Understanding the New SNAP Penalty Structure
The penalties are calculated based on how accurately each state distributes SNAP benefits:
| Error Rate Range | State’s Share of SNAP Cost |
|---|---|
| Less than 6% | 0% (no penalty) |
| 6% to <8% | 5% |
| 8% to <10% | 10% |
| 10% and above | 15% |
Kansas has improved its error rate from 12.07% in 2023 to 9.98%, outperforming the national average of 10.93%. Neighboring Missouri has also shown progress, dropping from 10.54% to 9.42%.
Steps Kansas Took to Reduce Its Error Rate
The improvement didn’t happen by accident. Kansas implemented a statewide case management system and improved staff training procedures.
Previously, individual regional offices handled their own caseloads, but now the responsibility is distributed across the state, reducing bottlenecks and errors.
Jenalea Randall from the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) highlighted that this new structure has led to fewer errors and faster service.
Additionally, dedicated review teams were formed to create uniform processes and pinpoint mistakes. Other states with low error rates—like Idaho, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming—also rely on strong quality control systems and ongoing staff training.
- Vermont uses monthly data reports and quarterly performance reviews.
- Wyoming conducts monthly meetings to assess and learn from recent errors.
What’s Still Holding Kansas Back?
Despite improvements, staff shortages continue to hamper Kansas’ efforts. According to DCF, employee turnover remains a major hurdle, with new workers needing up to a year to fully train.
Frequent errors include:
- Misreporting income payment frequency (confusing biweekly vs. semimonthly).
- Omitting rental information during benefit assessments.
Rep. Francis Awerkamp, a Republican from St. Marys, expressed frustration over such basic errors, urging better internal oversight.
Is a Low Error Rate Sustainable?
Experts believe it’s possible. Kansas once maintained an error rate under 1% and exceeded 6% only once during the 2010s (excluding incomplete data years). However, COVID-19 worsened accuracy across all states, leading to widespread increases.
Dustin Hare, policy adviser at Kansas Action for Children, noted that understaffing is still the leading cause of mistakes. He believes as hiring improves, error rates will drop organically.
Gina Plata-Nino, of the Food Research and Action Center, voiced concerns that the new federal budget setup creates a vicious cycle—as states are required to do more with less, their overworked staff are more likely to make errors, leading to even higher costs.
How Other States Are Faring
Most states haven’t been spared. 44 states currently have error rates above 6%, which means nearly all will face penalties under the new law.
| State | 2023 Error Rate | 2024 Error Rate | Penalty? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 12.07% | 9.98% | Yes (10%) |
| Missouri | 10.54% | 9.42% | Yes (10%) |
| Nebraska | >6% | <6% | No (for now) |
| Nevada | >6% | <6% | No (for now) |
| Iowa | <6% | >6% | Yes (now) |
Some states like Nebraska and Nevada may avoid penalties this year but were above the 6% threshold last year. Others, like Iowa, have seen their error rates climb recently.
The pressure is mounting on Kansas and other states to tighten their SNAP administration as federal oversight intensifies. With nearly $80 million in penalties at stake, Kansas must continue investing in staff training, technology, and case review systems to avoid spiraling costs.
While progress has been made, the combination of budget constraints and workforce challenges means the road to sustained improvement won’t be easy. For many states, the new law could mean choosing between cutting services or paying penalties—a choice that could impact millions who rely on food assistance.
FAQs
Why is Kansas facing nearly $80 million in SNAP penalties?
Because Kansas has a 9.98% error rate in distributing SNAP benefits, placing it in the 10% penalty bracket under the new federal rule.
What caused error rates to increase nationwide?
Error rates rose due to staffing shortages and administrative overload during the pandemic, which affected nearly every state’s ability to process SNAP benefits accurately.
Can Kansas avoid paying the maximum penalty?
Yes, if Kansas reduces its error rate below 10%, it could move into a lower penalty bracket and save millions in additional SNAP costs.