ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland House Republicans on Jan. 10, 2026, called for an investigation into allegations from a Department of Human Services whistleblower report that two senior officials planned to maintain high error rates in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments to exploit a provision in the federal One Big Beautiful Bill allowing states to delay penalties until fiscal year 2030. House Minority Leader Delegate Jason Buckel described the alleged actions as unconscionable, stating, “Maryland already has the dubious recognition as being a national leader in high food stamp error rates. That there is an alleged conspiracy by state officials to preserve or even increase these rates and push off the penalties down the road, or even to another Administration, is unconscionable. This must be investigated.”
The allegations surfaced in a Jan. 9, 2026, report by Spotlight on Maryland, a collaboration of The Baltimore Sun, FOX45 News, and WJLA, detailing claims from multiple whistleblowers that the officials discussed maintaining high error rates rather than correcting them to defer hundreds of millions in potential federal penalties. The One Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law in July 2025, imposes new costs on states with SNAP payment error rates above 6 percent starting in federal fiscal year 2028, requiring them to cover 5 to 15 percent of benefit costs based on error rates. Maryland’s rate exceeded 10 percent in recent years, with fiscal year 2024 at 13.64 percent, ranking it among the highest nationally and potentially liable for the maximum 15 percent share, estimated at up to $240 million annually in later years. A loophole permits states with high error rates in fiscal year 2026 to delay penalties until 2030.
The Department of Human Services responded that the claims are false, with spokesperson Ben Shnider stating, “the notion that DHS employees were directed to do anything other than continue efforts to drive down the SNAP Payment Error Rate is patently false.” The agency has reported reducing the error rate from approximately 36 percent in fiscal year 2022 to about 14 percent under the current administration through staff increases, training, and technology.
House Minority Whip Delegate Jesse Pippy said, “It appears that officials within Governor Moore’s Administration are willing to bend the rules, if not the law, to get around budget challenges. It appears types of actions are happening in multiple departments, and they do not look like isolated incidents. As legislators, it is our duty to provide oversight to ensure accountability on behalf of our citizens. The mismanagement by these state officials cannot continue.” The Republican Caucus sent a letter to House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk requesting investigative hearings.
This follows a September 2025 audit by the Office of Legislative Audits finding that the State Highway Administration knowingly charged nearly $360 million in unauthorized expenses to federal projects from June 2020 through August 2025 to minimize a deficit in the Transportation Trust Fund. The unauthorized amount increased 3,523 percent during that period, with a sharp rise of $163.5 million between June 2024 and August 2025. Republicans cited this as evidence of a pattern in the administration.
SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, serves more than 680,000 Marylanders monthly, providing benefits for food purchases. Payment errors include overpayments to ineligible individuals or underpayments to eligible ones. Federal changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill also shift 75 percent of administrative costs to states and introduce other requirements, prompting concerns about budget impacts in Maryland amid a projected $1.4 billion deficit.
The allegations have drawn attention as the Maryland General Assembly prepares for its 2026 session starting Jan. 14, with potential for hearings on oversight of state agencies. The U.S. Department of Agriculture described the whistleblower claims as alarming, noting they erode confidence in the program. No criminal charges have been filed, and the Department of Human Services has not denied the existence of discussions but rejected directives to maintain errors.
In Southern Maryland, local departments in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties administer SNAP benefits through the Department of Human Services, handling applications, recertifications, and error monitoring. High statewide error rates could lead to increased local administrative burdens or future cost shifts if penalties are imposed. The program remains critical for low-income families in the region, where economic pressures from high living costs affect eligibility and participation.
The Republican request for hearings aims to examine the whistleblower disclosures through the Office of Inspector General or legislative committees. State officials continue efforts to lower the error rate, emphasizing compliance with federal requirements while managing program integrity.