Montana Could Owe Millions In SNAP Benefits Under New Rules

Montana Could Soon Be Responsible For Millions In SNAP Costs

For years, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP, has been paid for by the federal government, but that could soon change here in Montana.

The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" passed last year included a new federal requirement that could leave the Treasure State responsible for millions of dollars each year if our SNAP error rate doesn't improve.

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How SNAP Error Rates Could Impact Montana

The goal of the change is to improve SNAP efficiency by requiring states to cover a percentage of benefit costs if their error rate is too high. That error rate measures the number of cases where someone receives more or less in benefits than they were supposed to.

According to KTVH, Montana's SNAP error rate for the 2025 fiscal year was 8.86%, down from 8.89% the year prior.

While that's below the national average of 10.62% and lower than 30 other states, it's still high enough that Montana could be responsible for covering 10% of SNAP benefit costs if the rate doesn't improve.

Under the new rules, states with error rates between 6% and 8% would pay 5% of their SNAP costs. States between 8% and 10% would pay 10%, while states above 10% would be responsible for 15%.

SKOKIE, IL - JUNE 24: Older, traditional food stamps are displayed June 24, 2004 at an Illinois Department of Human Services office in Skokie, Illinois. Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman has announced all 50 states and the U.S. territories now provide Food Stamp Program benefits with EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) cards instead of the traditional paper coupon stamps. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images) — Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images

Thousands Of Montanans Rely On SNAP Benefits

For Montana, that could mean paying around $16 million each year.

It's important to remember that a SNAP error rate doesn't automatically mean fraud or abuse is happening. These errors can come from things like paperwork mistakes, changes in household income, or other administrative issues.

Last year, around 80,000 Montanans received SNAP benefits, totaling about $164.4 million in assistance.

LOOK: 9 Facts About Montana Food Stamps You Need To Know

In 2022, there were over 42 million United States residents using SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), formally known as food stamps; Montana ranks 38th in the United States for SNAP participants.

There are certain rules and regulations when it comes to using SNAP, and certain things you can and can not purchase with your SNAP benefits.

Gallery Credit: megan shaul

KEEP READING: America's Most and Least Affordable Grocery Stores

This ranking comes from Consumer Reports, which basically filled up the same grocery cart at stores across the country, mixing name brands and store brands, then compared how each total stacked up against Walmart’s prices.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

LOOK: Here's how much grocery shopping now costs in the U.S.

How does Montana compare when it comes to cost of groceries? Do we pay more, or less? Data compiled by Zippia takes a look at the average monthly grocery bill per person in all 50 states. States are listed from most expensive to least expensive and are rounded up to the nearest dollar.

Gallery Credit: Mike Brant