Gov. Rhoden Celebrates Leading the Nation with the Lowest Error Rate

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 13, 2026

Contact: Josie Harms

Gov. Rhoden Celebrates Leading the Nation with the Lowest Error Rate

PIERRE, S.D. - Today, Newsweek published an op-ed by Governor Larry Rhoden celebrating South Dakota leading the nation with the lowest SNAP error rate and encouraging other states to follow our example. You can read his full op-ed here.

"South Dakota leads the nation with the lowest SNAP payment error rate in the nation, which is the clearest measure of strong program administration and responsible stewardship of public dollars," wrote Governor Larry Rhoden. "Our performance comes from ensuring people applying for SNAP actually qualify for it, making smart administrative decisions, and working with accuracy and accountability."

South Dakota's SNAP error rate currently sits near 3%, while rates across the rest of the country average close to 11%. South Dakota's exceptionally low SNAP error rate reflects a culture of accountability, centralized administration, rigorous quality assurance, and continuous staff training designed to ensure eligibility decisions are accurate and consistent across programs.

South Dakota has also adopted policy choices that prioritize clarity and verification, including:

• Stricter eligibility standards;
• Frequent reporting requirements; and
• Full reviews before benefits continue, all of which reduce complexity and help safeguard taxpayer dollars.

Last year, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins requested that each state share data on their management of SNAP to reduce SNAP fraud. 22 states have refused to comply, instead suing to withhold transparency of their SNAP data. Governor Rhoden urged states to follow South Dakota's example of transparent stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

"As Governor, I need to be able to look South Dakotans in the eye and tell them that I am doing everything in my power to safeguard their hard-earned money and trust. I encourage my fellow governors to do the same by making their own SNAP program records available to our federal partners and to close loopholes," continued Governor Larry Rhoden. "Our Union of states is only as strong as the trust between them. To steward our public funds well, we are duty bound to be transparent and honest."

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