The letter stated that the USDA will be taking “a fresh look” into why state agencies are failing to meet federal benchmarks in processing applications and recertifications for a federal program that provides financial assistance for food and groceries for low-income people.
“The American people expect their government programs to operate with integrity, efficiency and accountability. Right now, too many state agencies are failing to do their jobs,” acting Deputy Undersecretary John Walk said. “Federal law is clear: States must process SNAP applications within 30 days for most households, and seven days for those in urgent need. That is not a suggestion—it is the law.”
There are currently 33 state agencies not processing applications in the necessary time frame, according to Walk, and 20 are not meeting federal requirements for recertifications.
State agencies failing to administer benefits in an efficient manner could cause families to wait longer than expected. The USDA also stressed how taxpayers are “footing the bill for bureaucratic incompetence.”
“Let me be clear: This is not just a problem of inefficiency—it’s a problem of accountability. The Biden Administration was not holding states accountable, but that ends now,” Walk stated. “We are not going to tolerate endless excuses and red tape.”
RFK JR. ANNOUNCES STATES CAN REMOVE SODA FROM SNAP COVERAGE
Walk has directed the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service to take four different actions to remedy the delays and inefficiencies, including implementing a five-step escalation process to bring “non-compliant states in line” with federal benchmarks, partner with states to enforce plans that address the root cause of processing failures, and deploy a federal oversight team to monitor and train state agencies.
On average, 42.1 million people received monthly SNAP benefits in fiscal 2023.
