General · Texas behavioral health news
Texas faces $2.1B spike in SNAP costs due to payment error rate. Officials say they can fix it - BigCountryHomepage.com
Texas HHSC (Google News) · July 29, 2026
In plain language
Texas may need to pay up to $2.1 billion to cover food assistance costs due to a new federal law. Previously, the federal government paid for all SNAP benefits, but now states must pay a portion based on how often payment errors occur. These errors include simple mistakes by staff or applicants and are not the same as fraud. Texas officials are working to improve accuracy by using better technology and training, even as staff handle a 20% increase in applications since 2019.
AI-generated summary of the source article. Not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- A new federal law requires states to pay for a share of SNAP benefits based on their payment error rates.
- Texas officials estimate the state could owe between $1.7 billion and $2.1 billion in the next budget cycle.
- Payment errors include overpayments and underpayments caused by caseworker mistakes or applicant errors rather than fraud.
- Texas currently has a lower payment error rate than the national average and other large states.
- The state is seeking federal permission to use more automation to process renewals and verify information faster.
- SNAP applications in Texas have risen by 20% since 2019 while the workforce has stayed roughly the same size.
Texas faces $2.1B spike in SNAP costs due to payment error rate. Officials say they can fix it BigCountryHomepage.com
Need to talk to someone in Texas? Browse Texas-licensed telehealth therapists. In crisis, call or text 988.