A Month is a Long Time to Wait for a Meal: New USDA Data Shows Only One State Processes the Required Number of SNAP Applications Within One Month

While many are focused on SNAP error rates, there are still long-standing issues with application timeliness processing (APT) rates that measure the percentage of applications processed within federal deadlines (30 days for standard applications and 7 days for expedited services). The USDA considers an APT rate of 95% or higher to be acceptable, while rates below 90% are considered untimely and may trigger federal intervention. If states consistently fail to meet the timeliness standard, they may be required to submit a Corrective Action Plan. In Fiscal Year 2024, only one state (Wisconsin) had an APT rate above 95% and only 12 states had an APT rate above 90%.