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St. Croix County HHS: SNAP/FoodShare benefits restored after shutdown delays; error‑rate reduction work continues
Summary
Economic support staff said SNAP (FoodShare) benefits caught up after federal shutdown delays, Congress extended USDA funding through the fiscal year, and county consortia are working to lower active payment error rates (state 6.17%, Great Rivers 6.61%) as new work requirements are phased in.
St. Croix County economic support leadership told the Health and Human Services Board that benefits disrupted during the federal government shutdown have been issued and that federal funding for SNAP was extended through the current federal fiscal year.
Rhonda Brown, economic support administrator, said DHS notified consortia on Nov. 13 that benefit disbursements confirmed after Nov. 1 were issued overnight and that Congress passed legislation securing USDA funding through September of the federal fiscal year. She said staff operated normally during the shutdown and the county call center continued to process applications, renewals and changes.
Brown described planned administrative changes after the 'one big bill' (HR1) and said expanded work requirements for FoodShare will be phased in rather than implemented all at once; members who will be affected will receive written notice as required by law. She warned that the county’s legacy systems and staffing constraints complicate large system updates and that phased implementation should reduce disruption for consumers and staff.
On quality control, Brown said consortium data through June show a statewide active error rate of 6.17% and 6.61% for the Great Rivers consortium; the goal is to be under 6% to limit the county’s contribution to error amounts. The county is conducting reviews, training and coaching to reduce errors and meets monthly with DHS and other consortia on this issue.
Board members asked for examples of common errors; Brown said employment and earnings reporting remain the top client error area and that some errors reflect correspondence formats decided at the state level rather than local practice.
Brown also noted Medicaid work requirements expected to be phased in during 2026–2027 and encouraged constituents to contact the county call center with questions about benefits.
The board received the update; no formal action was taken.
