Media Contact:
June 25, 2026
Lilly Price, Press Secretary
lillian.price@maryland.gov
Phone: 443-965-1265
Maryland Delivers Nation-Leading Turnaround in SNAP Payment Accuracy
Since 2022, State Has Cut SNAP Payment Error Rate by Nearly Two-Thirds
Baltimore, MD — The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Maryland reduced its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payment error rate to 13.08% for federal fiscal year 2025, down from 13.64% in federal fiscal year 2024 and from 35.56% in federal fiscal year 2022 — when the Moore-Miller Administration inherited the second-highest rate in the nation. Between federal fiscal years 2022 and 2025, Maryland delivered the largest relative reduction of any state, cutting the rate by nearly two-thirds and far outpacing national improvement.
The latest federal data demonstrate that the Maryland Department of Human Services is rebuilding core program operations through targeted reforms: strengthening frontline staffing, improving worker training, simplifying paperwork, modernizing data tools, and identifying errors before they affect families.
“Maryland inherited one of the highest SNAP payment error rates in America. Today, we are leading the country in turning it around,” said Acting Secretary Stacy L. Rodgers. “That does not happen by accident. It happens because we hired and trained frontline staff, simplified overly complicated processes, and used data to catch problems before they reach families. But Washington’s new H.R. 1 punishes states making progress and adds requirements that threaten to move states backward by adding red tape exactly when Maryland is proving that smarter administration works. We will keep fighting to protect food assistance, support our workers, and drive this rate down even further.”
This continued progress is the result of a comprehensive strategy focused on making benefits easier to access and more secure for Marylanders, including:
Investing in our team by filling vacancies and training staff.
Since January 2023, DHS has hired nearly 200 new Family Investment caseworkers and supervisors statewide, reducing the program staff vacancy rate by almost three-quarters — from a peak of 19.4% in April 2022 to 4.28% in January 2026.
DHS continues to strengthen and develop the skills of both new and experienced eligibility workers through AI-powered learning tools, targeted microlearning opportunities, and interview techniques training. These investments help ensure employees have the knowledge and resources needed to effectively serve Maryland families while supporting the accurate and timely delivery of benefits.
In May and June 2026, DHS hosted four regional Payment Accuracy Summits to provide caseworker training, share best practices, and build statewide alignment around payment accuracy improvement strategies.
Simplifying complex procedures to reduce administrative burdens for both staff and customers.
This includes automating Maryland Benefit Reviews to streamline processes and reduce opportunities for error, partnering with Code for America to redesign redetermination forms and simplify customer notices, and collaborating with the Public Benefit Innovation Fund to streamline work verification and document submission processes.
Using advanced data tools to proactively manage and intercept payment errors before they happen.
In partnership with Georgetown University, the department developed a data dashboard to analyze and pinpoint high-risk cases. DHS has also teamed up with U.S. Digital Response and the University of Maryland to conduct deeper analyses of error trends and root causes.
DHS remains committed to working closely with the USDA and frontline teams to protect program integrity, eliminate operational barriers, and ensure that customers receive the benefits that are lawfully entitled to.
As Maryland continues to demonstrate significant progress in reducing its SNAP payment error rate, the state is also advocating for federal policies that do not penalize states for improving program accuracy. Maryland has been consistent in working with the National Governors’ Association to continue our bipartisan and nationwide advocacy for the suspension or delay of these punitive federal provisions.
About the Maryland Department of Human Services:
The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) is the state’s primary social services provider, serving more than one million Marylanders annually. Through its programs — including food assistance, cash support, child welfare, and energy assistance — DHS works to strengthen Maryland’s families and communities.
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