USDA Seeks Comments on SNAP Quality Control Updates
Published Date: 4/29/2026
Notice
Summary
The USDA wants to bring back and update a paperwork process that helps check how well states manage the SNAP food assistance program. This affects state agencies who must report on quality checks, use of contractors, and appeals by June 29, 2026. The goal is to keep SNAP running smoothly without adding too much extra work or cost.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Settlement New-Investment Plan and Reporting
When a State settles an assessed QC financial liability with FNS, the State may invest 50 percent of its total QC liability in new activities and must submit a new investment plan on FNS Form 74A and biannual progress reports on FNS Form 74B. The notice revises those forms and estimates 352 annual hours for new investment plans and 150 hours for progress reports.
State QC Sampling Plan Requirement
State agencies that run SNAP must create and submit a Quality Control (QC) sampling plan to FNS as part of their plan of operations to measure payment error and case/procedural error rates. The document estimates 53 State agencies will spend a total of 1,060 hours (about 20 hours per response) annually on sampling plans.
Arbitration and Good Cause Appeal Requirements
State agencies may request arbitration when they disagree with FNS QC findings and may appeal financial liabilities for 'good cause.' The notice estimates 646 annual hours for arbitration-related reporting (a decrease of 578 hours) and 320 annual hours for good-cause process reporting (an increase of 160 hours).
Third-Party Contractor Reporting Rules
If a State agency hires third-party contractors for SNAP QC work or training, it must notify FNS, submit signed contracts/tasks/deliverables, and notify FNS at least 10 days before contractor-led training so FNS may attend. The notice estimates small per-action burdens (0.25 to 0.5 hours for most submissions; 0.4 hours for training notifications) and reports decreases in some burden estimates due to fewer States hiring contractors.
Net Paperwork Burden Change for States
FNS requests reinstatement and revision of OMB Control Number 0584-0303 and estimates the overall annual reporting and recordkeeping burden will be 2,532.36 hours for 53 State agencies, a net decrease of 296.39 hours from the previous collection. The collection lists 123 total annual reporting responses and 115 recordkeeping responses.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-08323 — Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): 2026/2027 Income Eligibility Guidelines
Starting July 1, 2026, the USDA is updating the income limits for the WIC program, which helps women, infants, and kids get nutritious food. These new guidelines mean some families might qualify who didn’t before, or see changes in their benefits. It’s all about making sure the right people get the support they need to stay healthy and strong.
Next: 2026-08326 — Agency Information Collection Activities: FNS-380-1 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program's Quality Control Review Schedule
The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is updating the form states use to check how well the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is working. State agencies will keep collecting quality control data using the revised FNS-380-1 form, helping make sure SNAP runs smoothly and fairly. Comments on this update are open until June 29, 2026, with no new costs expected for states.