RICHMOND, Va. — Governor Glenn Youngkin met virtually Thursday with more than 1,500 state and local Department of Social Services employees to announce SNAP FORWARD, a statewide initiative aimed at reducing payment errors in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
“We must make sure benefits funded by taxpayers are delivered accurately, timely, and fairly,” Youngkin said. “SNAP FORWARD will help us achieve measurable results — strengthening program integrity, protecting taxpayer dollars, and ensuring Virginia families get the short-term support they need.”
The initiative builds on Executive Directive 13, issued in August, which directed DSS to improve program integrity, provide required training for staff, verify household information rather than relying on self-attestation, and explore technology solutions to improve accuracy.
Key elements of SNAP FORWARD include mandatory foundational training for all eligibility workers, enhanced case review processes, policies to verify household information, and technology investments designed to catch and correct errors earlier. Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet V. Kelly said the program aims to reduce Virginia’s SNAP payment error rate, currently 11.5 percent, caused largely by pandemic-related workforce shortages, record caseloads, and outdated verification procedures.
The initiative is designed to protect families from underpayments, which can lead to food insecurity, and from overpayments, which may result in repayment obligations. Virginia serves approximately 874,000 SNAP recipients. Beginning in October 2027, states with high error rates will be required to share in the cost of benefits, potentially totaling $270 million annually at Virginia’s current error rate. DSS Commissioner Kevin Erskine added, “We will equip our teams with the tools, resources, and policies they need to succeed. By working hand-in-hand with local departments, we’re committed to finding and fixing errors before they impact Virginia families.”
