The SNAP Quality Control Review team is a Federally mandated group of OFI Specialists (State of Maine Employees) that thoroughly review more than 1,100 randomly selected SNAP households every year. They are sometimes referred to as “QC”.
Every State has a Quality Control Review team. The reviews are used by the Federal government to determine if:
- The SNAP program is being run according to regulations.
- The local office handled the case correctly.
- The information in the case file is correct.
- The client is getting the benefits they are eligible for.
- What happens when a case is selected to be reviewed by the SNAP Quality Control Review team?
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The household will be contacted by a SNAP Quality Control Reviewer. All written communication from the Quality Control Review team is on OFI's letterhead. The Quality Control Reviewer’s full name, maine.gov email address, their phone number, and the phone number of their local office are included in the letter.
- What happens if a SNAP household refuses to cooperate?
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Refusal to cooperate with a Quality Control Review is a violation of Federal rule.
If a household does not cooperate with the Quality Control Reviewer or the SNAP case review process, the SNAP case can be closed and benefits terminated. If a household’s SNAP is terminated for refusal to cooperate with a Quality Control Reviewer, the household may reapply but shall not be determined eligible until it cooperates with the Quality Control Review.
Additional information regarding SNAP Quality Control Review can be found on the USDA website.
The SNAP Quality Control Process
Step One: Random Case Sample and SNAP Case Review
Each month, State agencies randomly select SNAP cases for review, ensuring a fair representation of program participants. If a SNAP case was chosen for a QC review, the household will be contacted by the State agency to start the quality control process.
Step Two: Field Review
The State of Maine’s Quality Control (QC) Review team, known as QC Reviewers, will do interviews with randomly selected SNAP participants to gather and verify important eligibility information for their household. During this phase, the QC Reviewer will ask for documents such as proof of household income, expenses, resources, and details about individuals living in the home. They may also contact people outside of the household to verify information. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure the accuracy of the SNAP decision. The information may have already been provided during the application or renewal process, but the QC Reviewers are Federally mandated to independently verify all eligibility elements.
Federal regulations require a personal interview for Quality Control Reviews. The interview may take place face-to-face at a DHHS Regional Office, by phone call, or via video teleconference. Your QC Reviewer will contact you in a letter and by phone to schedule this interview and make these specific arrangements.
Step Three: Case Analysis
State Review: The QC Reviewer analyzes all the information collected from the field review. Then, they independently determine if the State agency issued the correct SNAP benefit amount.
Federal Review: USDA’s Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) reviews a smaller random sample of each State’s QC cases. Over the last several years in Maine, approximately 30% of all QC cases submitted undergo Federal Review as well. The FNS reviewer may also contact an adult in the household or people outside of the home to verify or gather additional details. This review is done to study the accuracy of the State’s QC review.
Step Four: Payment Accuracy
The results of SNAP QC Reviews help the Federal government (USDA’s FNS) determine if State agencies are running the SNAP program correctly and providing participants with the correct SNAP benefit amount. The information collected from SNAP QC reviews is also used to improve SNAP. For more information on how SNAP QC reviews are used for program improvement, visit SNAP Quality Control.
The SNAP Participant’s Role in the SNAP Quality Control Review
SNAP participants selected for review play an important role in the QC process by participating in interviews and providing requested documents for verification in a timely manner.
By working with State of Maine agency and Federal QC staff, SNAP recipients contribute to the accuracy and fairness of the program, ensuring that the correct amount of SNAP benefits reach those who need them most. Cooperation with the QC requirements also impacts the cost Maine pays to administer the SNAP program through the Payment Error Rate (PER).
Remember, refusal to cooperate is a violation of Federal rule and can result in the household SNAP case being closed and benefits terminated. Cooperation means responding to requests for information, attending scheduled interviews, and providing verification documents. If a household is unable to cooperate due to circumstances beyond their control, please contact the QC Reviewer immediately to explain the situation.