7 CFR § 275.10(a)-(b)(1)-(4) & 7 CFR § 275.11(b) and (c) and (e)(1)-(2)(i)-(ii) & 7 CFR § 275.12(a) & 7 CFR § 275.13(a) & 7 CFR § 275.16(a)-(b)(1)-(5)


SNAP cases are randomly selected for a quality control review (QCR) that is completed by local or Federal Quality Control (QC) staff.  QCRs help reduce errors by identifying errors, their cause, and how to prevent the errors from occurring in the future.  


QCRs are completed based on a sample of cases from 2 categories:

  • Active EDGs
  • Denied, suspended or closed cases


Sample sizes for both categories are based on the State’s average monthly caseload during the annual review period.  


The QCR for active cases is a sample of EDGs approved before or during the sample month and issued SNAP benefits during the sample month.  The QCR for active EDGs determines:

  • Eligibility and benefit accuracy.
  • Timeliness of the action for approval within the current Federal Fiscal Year.
  • Corrective action recommendations.


The QCR for denied or closed cases is called Case and Procedural Error Rate (CAPER). The CAPER determines:

  • Eligibility reason accuracy.
  • Timeliness of the renewal action within the current Federal Fiscal Year.
  • Accuracy of notice content.
  • Corrective action recommendations.


Error causes for both types of QCR include, but are not limited to:

  • EDG failure to provide or report required information.
  • Worker incorrect data entry.
  • Worker failure to act or follow-up on reported information.
  • Worker failure to verify information, as required.
  • Worker failure to clarify questionable or unclear information.
  • Worker failure to correctly apply policy.


Payment error rates (PER) are based on the dollar amount of SNAP benefits paid in error.


PER goals:

  • Be under 6% to avoid a corrective action plan 
  • Stay under the national average to avoid liability status and sanctions
  • To reduce and/or eliminate deficiencies in program operations and for households to timely receive the correct amount of SNAP benefits



QCR Process 

7 CFR § 275.12(b)-(f) & 7 CFR § 275.13(a)-(d) & 7 CFR § 275.21(a)-(b)


The QCR process by QC staff includes:

  • An electronic and case record review.
  • A field investigation including an in-person interview with the EDG for active EDGs.
  • Verification of all mandatory eligibility elements.
  • A report of the case review findings and error analysis provided to DSS and FNS.


Note:  Workers must correct any errors identified by QC staff within 30 days.


After completing and transmitting the QCR to FNS, QC staff provide the information to Central Office.  Central Office determines the results of the QCRs and provides the information to Field Operations, Managers and Supervisors.  The results are used to address policy issues and provide staff with training to address issues.  

Refusal to Cooperate 

7 CFR § 273.2(d)(1)-(2) & 7 CFR § 275.3(c)(5) & 7 CFR § 275.12(g)(1)(ii)


EDGs must cooperate with any Federal or State QCR of their eligibility.  QC staff sends the EDG a notice about the penalties for refusing to cooperate with QC.  Refusal to cooperate with a QCR includes failure to:

  • attend an agreed upon interview, and not contacting the reviewer within 10 days of the scheduled interview date, 
  • respond to a letter from the QC reviewer, or
  • return a signed release of information within 10 days of agreeing to do so, or receiving a request from the reviewer.


QC staff determine if the EDG refused to cooperate or failed to cooperate. Failure to cooperate does not result in disqualification.


QC staff complete the following actions if the EDG continues to refuse to cooperate after receiving notice: 

  • Attempts to complete the QCR.
  • Notifies the worker of the EDG’s refusal to cooperate with a QC requirement. 


Workers send the EDG an advance action  closure notice for refusal to cooperate with Quality Control.  Advise the EDG they may be referred for investigation of IPV.


Disqualification for Refusal to Cooperate 

7 CFR § 273.2(d)(2) and (f)(1)(ix) & 7 CFR § 275.3(c)(5) & 7 CFR § 275.12(g)(1)(ii)


Disqualify the entire EDG for refusing to cooperate with either State or Federal quality control reviewers.  Follow advance notice time frames to close the case. 


The disqualification follows the member who refused to cooperate. The EDG may reapply when the non-cooperating member leaves the EDG.  If the non-cooperating member enters another SNAP EDG, that entire EDG is disqualified until the penalty period expires, or the member cooperates, whichever occurs first.


Inform the EDG they must contact QC before benefits can be approved if they reapply before the penalty period ends.  Continue processing the application following normal processing standards.  Do not approve benefits until the EDG cooperates with QC.  Cooperating with QC is an eligibility factor and must be verified.    


Penalty for refusing to cooperate with the State QC Review 

7 CFR § 273.2(d)(2) and (f)(1)(ix) & 7 CFR § 273.2(d)(2)


The penalty lasts through the end of the Federal Fiscal Year, plus another 125 days or until the member(s) cooperate, whichever occurs first.  EDGs reapplying after 125 days from the end of the Federal fiscal year must verify all SNAP mandatory eligibility elements.  


Example:  EDG notified on July 11, 2017 of refusal to cooperate with State QC.  Advance notice expires July 22, 2017. The penalty begins August 1, 2017. If the member does not cooperate sooner, the penalty ends February 2, 2018 (125 days after the end of the Federal fiscal year – September 30, 2017).

Penalty for refusing to cooperate with the Federal QC Review

7 CFR § 273.2(d)(2) and (f)(1)(ix) & 7 CFR § 273.2(d)(2)


The penalty lasts through the end of the Federal Fiscal Year, plus another 9 months, or until the member(s) cooperate, whichever occurs first.  EDGs reapplying after 9 months from the end of the Federal fiscal year must verify all SNAP mandatory eligibility elements.


Example:  EDG notified on July 11, 2017 of refusal to cooperate with Federal QC. Advance notice expires July 22, 2017. The penalty begins August 1, 2017. If the member does not cooperate sooner, the penalty ends June 30, 2018 (9 months after the end of the Federal fiscal year – September 30, 2017).

Disqualification Ends

7 CFR § 273.2(d)(2) and (f)(1)(ix)


The EDG must reapply if they wish to receive SNAP benefits. 


QC staff notify the worker when the EDG cooperates with the QCR prior to the end of the penalty period.  


The EDG is not required to cooperate with the prior QCR when the EDG reapplies after the penalty period ends.  The EDG must verify all SNAP mandatory eligibility elements.