North Dakota experienced a 9.89% state error rate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in 2025, placing it among states that would be responsible for picking up a share of costs in the future due to exceeding the federal 6% threshold for error.

“It is important to note that a payment error rate does not represent fraud. Instead, it reflects administrative variances – such as minor documentation omissions or calculation shifts – when processing complex household cases,” said Interim Economic Assistance Director Rebecaa Askins with the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Under federal guidelines, states experiencing elevated error rates are given the option to select either their 2025 or 2026 error rate to determine any potential benefit cost-share, Askins said. Based on North Dakota’s 2025 performance, the agency could theoretically be responsible for covering 10% of SNAP benefits issued beginning in October 2027. However, because of the option to use 2026 data, a final financial determination will not be made until the full 2026 data is finalized and released in June 2027, she said.

She added HHS is committed to administrative accuracy and ensuring that federal nutrition benefits reach eligible families efficiently.

“To address these administrative challenges head-on, North Dakota HHS is launching targeted modernization initiatives to prevent errors before they occur. The state is exploring new AI infrastructure projects designed to analyze data and flag potential application discrepancies in real-time. Additionally, the agency is actively standing up a dedicated Case Improvement Unit. This specialized team will provide intensive quality assurance reviews and continuous training to optimize front-line eligibility workflows,” she said. “Through these advanced technological tools and focused oversight, North Dakota HHS is taking swift action to reduce and maintain our payment rate to below 6% as we improve processing precision and safeguard taxpayer resources.”