Illinois SNAP Errors Could Cost Taxpayers Up to $700 Million in Penalties
Illinois risks millions in penalties under a new federal law due to errors in determining who qualifies for food assistance.
To protect taxpayers and struggling families, the state must increase its administrative precision. The Department of Agriculture reported that Illinois' Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) error rate was 11.56% in 2024, higher than the national average and worse than 38 other states.
- SNAP error rate in Illinois: 11.56% in 2024
- Overpayments accounted for 10.6% of Illinois' SNAP errors in 2024
- SNAP underpayments were rare, at less than 1%
Illinois' 12% error rate could cost the state $705 million annually
Author's summary: Illinois faces penalties due to SNAP errors.