Florida’s food stamp program may soon face significant financial implications as eligibility requirements change for recipients. Starting October 1, 2027, under the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Donald Trump, the state could be held responsible for a portion of the costs associated with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.
Currently, SNAP benefits are fully funded by the federal government, but this new legislation introduces a system where states must contribute based on their payment error rates. These rates, which reflect the accuracy of benefit calculations, will determine the level of federal support Florida receives.
State Efforts to Reduce Payment Errors
According to Bridget Royster, assistant secretary for Florida’s Department of Children and Families’ Economic Self Sufficiency Program, the agency is actively working to lower its payment error rate, which reached a concerning 12.6% in the 2023-2024 federal fiscal year. Royster emphasized the importance of operational improvements to enhance accuracy, stating, “The department is identifying operational process improvements, policy enhancements, and technology solutions to ensure we continue to drive quality.”
In the previous fiscal year, Florida distributed $6.8 billion in federal food assistance to approximately 2.3 million households. Under the new law, states with error rates below 6% will continue to receive full federal funding. Those with rates between 6% and 7.99% will be responsible for 5% of the program’s costs, potentially costing Florida about $340 million if demand remains similar to last year. Should the error rate exceed 10%, state contributions could reach 15% of the costs.
The calculation of error rates considers overpayments and underpayments rather than instances of fraud. Benefits are determined based on household sizes and net monthly incomes, which can fluctuate and may not be reported immediately. To combat inaccuracies, Royster mentioned that the state now requires recipients to provide documentation of housing and utility costs, moving away from self-attestation for these expenses.
Changes in Work Requirement Rules
An additional factor impacting Florida’s SNAP program is the new work requirement rule, which mandates that a growing number of recipients maintain employment to remain eligible. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 181,217 Floridians are now subject to these work requirements, a significant increase from just 16,452 in 2023. This estimate, as provided by Royster, may adjust based on further federal guidance.
In 2024, Florida lawmakers expanded the age range for able-bodied adults without dependents who must comply with work requirements, raising the cap from 54 to 64 years old. The revisions also removed exemptions for certain groups, including homeless individuals, veterans, and former foster youth under 24 years old.
Additionally, 9,753 individuals from other countries, categorized as asylees, refugees, victims of trafficking, and parolees, were deemed ineligible for SNAP under the new federal regulations.
The changes to Florida’s SNAP program reflect a broader trend towards increased accountability in welfare programs. As the state navigates this evolving landscape, officials are focusing on improving operational efficiencies and ensuring compliance with federal guidelines to mitigate potential financial burdens.