Virginia outlines strategy to cut SNAP error rate as federal changes shift costs to states

RICHMOND — Virginia’s Department of Social Services briefed legislators on federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and a statewide effort to reduce SNAP payment errors after the 2025 federal reconciliation bill narrowed eligibility and shifted more administrative costs to states.

Acting VDSS Commissioner Erskine told the joint subcommittee that the federal law commonly called HR1 changes non‑citizen eligibility categories, tightens work requirements for able‑bodied adults without dependents and limits certain heat‑and‑eat program eligibility. The law also eliminates funding for the SNAP Education (SNAP‑Ed) grant program and phases a larger share of administrative costs to states: from a 50/50 federal‑state split to a 25% federal share and 75% state share beginning Oct. 1, 2026.

Why it matters: SNAP benefits are federally funded, but a higher state share of administrative costs and new penalty rules tied to the program’s quality control (QC) error rate could cost Virginia millions if error rates remain high.

What VDSS reported: Erskine said Virginia’s benefits (the federally funded benefit dollars) total roughly $1.8…