Virginia officials warn HR 1 changes could cost state up to $360 million annually; agency launches 'SNAP Forward' to cut error rate

State Department of Social Services officials warned the Joint Money Committee that federal changes under HR 1 will both tighten Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility and shift substantial costs to Virginia unless the state sharply reduces SNAP payment errors.

Carl Ayers, principal deputy commissioner for DSS, said HR 1 narrowed eligible noncitizen categories, expanded the community-work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs), raised the age at which work requirements apply and removed several exemptions. He added that the federal SNAP education grant (SNAP‑Ed) was eliminated nationally and that carryover funds will allow Virginia’s nutrition-education program to operate only through federal fiscal 2026.

Ayers told the committee that two changes carry large fiscal effects for the Commonwealth:

- Administrative match: the federal share of SNAP administrative funding will change from 50% federal / 50% state/local to a 75% federal / 25% state match for administrative costs effective Oct. 1, 2026 (Ayers said this shift increases state administrative obligations by roughly $90,000,000).

- Benefit match tied to…