The Iowans who count on SNAP to put groceries on the table — a senior on a fixed income, a young mom working to make ends meet — are exactly who this program is meant to serve. The numbers USDA just released show Iowa is doing right by them.
By the numbers: Iowa came in at a 5.34% payment error rate — one of just nine states in the country under the new 6% accountability line, and roughly half the national average of 10.62%.
The new standard: A year ago, we set a commonsense accountability measure in the Working Families Tax Cuts. States that administer SNAP accurately won’t be required to cover the cost of running their program. States that land on the wrong side of that line will begin covering part of the bill. Iowa met the standard, so our cost is: Zero.
Behind that zero are real Iowa families. Here’s what it means for them — and why accountability matters:
Why it matters: SNAP should work the way taxpayers and families expect it to. That means benefits are delivered accurately to the people who qualify, while states are held accountable for getting it right. Iowa proved that’s possible, and now Iowa families won’t have to pick up the tab when other states fall short.Â
Bottom Line: Iowa did its job. Now it’s time for every other state to do theirs. I’ll keep fighting for commonsense accountability, so Iowa taxpayers aren’t asked to cover the cost of mistakes we didn’t make.