What the SNAP Cost Shift Could Mean for Virginia - and Our Community
When families face difficult times, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps bridge the gap. For seniors living on fixed incomes, veterans returning to civilian life, parents working hard to make ends meet, and children growing up in households facing financial hardship, SNAP provides reliable grocery assistance that helps put nutritious meals on the table.
For decades, SNAP food benefits have been fully funded by the federal government while states have been responsible for administering the program. That is changing.
Beginning in 2027, a new federal law will require states with higher SNAP payment error rates to pay a portion of SNAP benefit costs. While the goal is to improve program accuracy, many states - including Virginia - need more time to prepare for these significant changes.
What Is Changing?
Under the new law, states with SNAP payment error rates of 6% or higher could be required to cover a percentage of SNAP benefit costs beginning October 1, 2027.
Virginia's fiscal year 2025 SNAP payment error rate is 12.32%. If current projections remain in place, the Commonwealth could be responsible for approximately $266 million annually to maintain SNAP benefits that were previously fully funded by the federal government. During FY2025 alone, Virginians received approximately $1.774 billion in SNAP food benefits.
Understanding SNAP Payment Errors
The phrase "payment error rate" can sound alarming, but it is important to understand what it actually measures.
A SNAP payment error is not the same as fraud.
Instead, these errors often result from the complexity of administering one of the nation's largest nutrition assistance programs. Outdated technology, staffing shortages, incomplete documentation, changing household circumstances, and complicated eligibility rules can all contribute to unintentional mistakes.
When errors occur, the consequences are real. Families may receive too little assistance and struggle to afford groceries, or they may receive too much and later be required to repay those benefits.
Improving accuracy is an important goal. The question is whether states have enough time and resources to make those improvements before taking on significant new financial responsibilities.
Why This Matters to Virginia
If Virginia must absorb hundreds of millions of dollars in new SNAP costs, state leaders may face difficult budget decisions.
Those decisions could affect funding priorities across the Commonwealth while state agencies work to improve SNAP administration. Many advocates believe states need additional time to modernize technology, strengthen staffing, improve case processing, and reduce payment errors before these financial penalties take effect.
A proposed two-year delay would give states the opportunity to strengthen program operations without disrupting access to food assistance for eligible households.
What This Means for Our Community
Here in the Central Rappahannock River Region, we see every day how closely federal nutrition programs and charitable food assistance work together.
Food banks were never designed to replace SNAP.
SNAP provides consistent monthly grocery support that allows families to purchase the foods they need at local grocery stores while supporting local economies. Food banks and community pantries help fill gaps during emergencies, unexpected hardships, or times when household budgets simply cannot stretch any further.
As food costs remain high, more families are turning to both SNAP and charitable food assistance. Weakening one part of that safety net places additional pressure on the other.
At the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank, we remain committed to serving our neighbors regardless of the challenges ahead. Through our Community Partner Network, Mobile Pantries, OrderAhead program, and other nutrition initiatives, we will continue working to ensure our neighbors have access to nutritious food.
A Balanced Path Forward
Most people agree that SNAP should operate efficiently and accurately. In fact, national polling shows strong public support for improving program oversight while also ensuring eligible families can continue accessing the food they need. These goals do not have to compete with one another.
A two-year delay in implementing the SNAP cost shift would give Virginia and other states time to strengthen their systems, improve accuracy, and protect access to food assistance without creating unintended disruptions for families.
How You Can Help
Strong communities are built when neighbors support one another.
You can make a difference by:
- Learning more about how SNAP and charitable food assistance work together.
- Contacting your members of Congress to encourage support for a two-year delay in the SNAP cost shift.
- Supporting the food bank through volunteering, donating, or advocating for policies that help families access nutritious food.
Together, we can help ensure that every neighbor has the opportunity to put healthy meals on the table - today and in the future.