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The Department proposes to revise its regulations for various Quality Control (QC) provisions in subpart C of 7 CFR part 275 to reflect numerous changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s (SNAP) Quality Control system. There have been concerns about the SNAP QC process by not only its stakeholders, but FNS as well, primarily due to questions regarding the integrity of State collected error rate data that is used to develop SNAP’s national error rates. SNAP has been working diligently for several years to address these concerns and plans to move forward to reform components of its QC process to ensure the integrity of state-reported error rates.

Statement of Need:

The Department proposes to revise regulations for Quality Control (QC) provisions in subpart C of 7 CFR part 275 to reflect numerous changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) QC system to improve QC integrity.  OIG highlighted need for changes to SNAP QC procedures in a recent audit.  These changes can only be made through regulation, not just policy.  SNAP has issued an RFI to gather ideas from stakeholders on potential regulation changes to improve integrity and improper payment management.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

FNA Section 16(c)

Alternatives:

None.  Regulations needed to make significant change to SNAP quality control procedures.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

Costs: Currently unavailable.  Benefits: improved integrity and accuracy of SNAP improper payment measurement.

Risks:

NA