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DHHS warns tougher SNAP verification in HB 1797 could raise error rates; advocates urge caution
Summary
Department of Health and Human Services officials told the Senate committee that HB 1797's proposed lottery and out-of-state purchase cross-matches, shorter certification periods and mandatory SAVE checks would increase administrative costs and risk higher SNAP payment error rates; hunger and legal-aid groups urged the committee to avoid cutting categorical eligibility.
Representative Jim Kocall (Hillsborough District 32) introduced House Bill 1797 as a package intended to tighten SNAP work requirements and improve program integrity by expanding data matches — including a proposed lottery cross-match and more frequent SAVE checks — and by shortening certification periods.
The department’s view: Chris Santonello, associate commissioner at the Department of Health and Human Services, and counsel Bridal Clark told the committee that New Hampshire has roughly 70,000 SNAP recipients and that proposed system changes (for example, an…
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