Northern Kentucky Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer told colleagues in committee Tuesday that states with SNAP error rates above 6% will have to shoulder extra costs per new federal rules. And she said recent data from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service show Kentucky above that number.
"You'll see that Kentucky's (rate), as of June 30, 2025, indicated 9.11%, so we've got to get that error rate below 6%," she said. "Without having it below 6%, we're going to experience an additional cost over $100 million."
To avoid that outcome, the bill institutes a number of changes that supporters say will limit the error rates while ensuring help reaches those who truly need it.
One provision would eliminate what's known as Broad Based Categorical Eligibility, which permits the state to raise SNAP's gross income eligibility from 130% of the federal poverty rate to 200% and waive asset tests.
Opponents say that change, along with several others, will reduce access to food assistance for tens of thousands of Kentuckians.
"Is this all about money? We're going to take that $100 million and invest it into funding a bureaucracy that further restricts people who are in need," said Rev. Rich Gianzero, executive director of the Kentucky Council of Churches.
Critics also argue the new verification systems needed to enforce the rules would themselves potentially increase error rates.
Lawmakers made references to Cabinet for Health and Family Services data, which put the error rate lower at only around 4% — the result of tightening up programs that were eased during the pandemic, according to Frommeyer.
The measure in question, Senate Bill 257, was not voted on in committee Tuesday, with lawmakers opting to hold off until more information could be gathered.