Bad news for thousands of Floridians – The state faces a $340 million SNAP bill as work requirements and payment errors increase dramatically

Florida could owe up to $340 million for food-stamp benefits by 2027 if it doesn’t fix its high payment error rate and comply with new federal SNAP rules.

Modified on:
October 14, 2025 5:50 am

Florida may soon have to pay for its SNAP programme.

Thousands of Floridians could be affected as the state faces a huge potential bill—up to $340 million—for its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), better known as food stamps.

Right now, Florida’s SNAP program is fully funded by the federal government, which means the state doesn’t pay for the benefits residents receive. But that could change starting October 1, 2027, under a new law called the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed this summer by President Donald Trump.

The law says states will have to start contributing to the cost of food benefits if their payment error rates go above certain limits. That means if Florida continues to make too many mistakes in how it calculates benefits, it will owe Washington hundreds of millions of dollars.

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Why Florida is at risk of owing so much

Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF), which runs SNAP, admits the state’s payment error rate has been rising fast. These “errors” don’t necessarily mean fraud — they mostly happen when families get too much or too little money due to inaccurate income or household information.

In the 2023–2024 fiscal year, Florida’s payment error rate reached 12.6 per cent, double the rate that would trigger state payments.

“The department is identifying operational improvements and new technology to ensure we continue to drive quality,” said Bridget Royster, assistant secretary for the DCF’s Economic Self-Sufficiency Program. She told lawmakers that the goal is to cut the error rate to below 6 per cent, the threshold where the federal government would continue paying all SNAP costs.

But Florida hasn’t met that goal in years — not since before the pandemic.

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How the “one big beautiful bill act changes SNAP funding

Under the new law, how much a state must pay depends on its payment error rate:

  • Below 6% — fully covered by the federal government
  • 6% to 7.99% — states pay 5% of total costs
  • 8% to 9.99% — states pay 10%
  • 10% and above — states pay 15%

In the last fiscal year, DCF distributed $6.8 billion in federal food assistance to 2.3 million Florida households. So even a small percentage can add up fast — that’s where the $340 million estimate comes from.

If Florida doesn’t bring its error rate down soon, taxpayers could be on the hook for a major share of the program.

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What’s causing the high error rate?

DCF officials say several factors have contributed to the problem. During and after the pandemic, the agency allowed people to self-report their income and expenses, which made the process faster but less accurate.

Now, Florida requires SNAP applicants to show proof of rent, utilities, and income — a move meant to cut down on mistakes.

Royster also said that recent hurricanes caused delays and confusion, making it harder for both families and caseworkers to keep information up to date.

Currently, Florida’s error rate for 2024 is being calculated at around 15.13 per cent, though that number may drop once the full year’s data is reviewed.

Work requirements add more pressure

Another part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” adds tougher work requirements for able-bodied adults who receive SNAP.

In 2023, only about 16,000 Floridians were required to meet these work rules. But as of this year, that number has jumped to more than 181,000.

Florida also expanded the age range for recipients who must meet the work rules—now covering people between 18 and 59 years old, up from 18 to 54. And under Trump’s new law, the federal limit rises even further to age 64 starting in 2027.

The law also removes exemptions for homeless individuals, veterans, and former foster youth under age 24 — groups that had previously been protected from the requirement.

In addition, about 9,700 immigrants in Florida—including asylees, refugees, and trafficking victims—have been ruled ineligible for SNAP under the new rules.

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What happens next

Florida’s DCF says it’s working hard to fix the problem before the 2027 deadline. Officials hope that better verification systems and clearer rules will help bring the state’s error rate below the 6 per cent mark.

Still, the challenge is big. If Florida can’t meet the target, it could owe hundreds of millions to cover its share of the programme—a cost that could eventually affect other state services or budgets.

For the more than 2 million Floridians who rely on food assistance, the stakes couldn’t be higher. As one lawmaker put it, “This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about making sure families can still put food on the table.”

Emem Ukpong
Emem Ukponghttps://polifinus.com/author/emem-uk/
My journey to becoming a writer has been shaped by both science and finance. I began with a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, but I found myself drawn to the economic and financial sphere. I have collaborated with various organizations, creating articles and blogs about these essential topics. Currently, I cover financial trends, economic updates, and social welfare topics for Polifinus, ensuring that our content reaches those who need it most.

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