SNAP Overpayments and Letters: How To Read the Notice and What To Do Next

If you receive a letter about a SNAP (food stamps) overpayment, it can feel confusing and stressful. Many people are surprised to learn they may owe money back, especially if they did not realize anything was wrong.

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains, in plain language:

• What a SNAP overpayment usually means
• Why you might have gotten a SNAP overpayment notice
• How to check if the letter is real
• What your options usually are (pay, appeal, ask for a waiver, or request lower payments)
• Who to contact for official help

HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government office, not an application site, and not an official SNAP source. This article is for general information only so you can better understand what to ask and where to turn when you contact your state or local SNAP agency.

What Is a SNAP Overpayment?

A SNAP overpayment usually means that your household received more SNAP benefits than the agency believes you were supposed to get for one or more months.

In most states, overpayments can happen when:

• Your income went up and SNAP was not reduced on time
• Someone moved into or out of your household and SNAP was not updated
• There was a mistake by the agency, the household, or both
• The agency believes there was intentional misrepresentation or fraud

Even if the overpayment was caused by a state or county error, the agency may still try to recover the extra benefits. How this works can vary by state.

Why You Might Get a SNAP Overpayment Letter

The letter is often called a:

• SNAP Overpayment Notice
• Notice of Overpayment
• Notice of Claim
• Repayment Letter

It typically includes:

• The amount they say you owe
• The months and benefit amounts involved
• A short reason for the overpayment (error type)
• Information about your rights to appeal or request a hearing
• How they plan to collect or options to repay

Common Types of SNAP Overpayments

Most notices fit into one of these categories:

1. Agency (Administrative) Error

   • The local office or state agency made a mistake.
   • Example: The caseworker entered your income incorrectly, or did not act on information you reported on time.

2. Inadvertent Household Error

   • The household did not report required information, or reported late, but not with intent to deceive.
   • Examples:
     • You forgot to report a new job or a raise within the required time.
     • You misunderstood what you needed to report.

3. Intentional Program Violation (IPV)

   • The agency believes there was intentional misrepresentation or fraud, such as:
     • Knowingly giving false information
     • Hiding income or people in the household on purpose
   • IPVs can lead to penalties, including a period where you may be barred from SNAP.

The type of overpayment can affect:

• Whether penalties apply
• How long they can try to collect
• Your chances of waiver or reduction

How To Make Sure the Letter Is Real (Avoiding Scams)

Because SNAP involves money and personal information, it is important to confirm that any overpayment notice is legitimate.

Here are typical ways to check:

1. Look for official identifiers

   • Agency name, such as:
     • “Department of Human Services”
     • “Department of Social Services”
     • “Department of Children and Families”
     • County social services office name
   • An official address that matches your state or county agency
   • A case number or client ID that matches past SNAP documents

2. Check your existing case documents

   • Compare the contact information on the letter with:
     • Previous SNAP approval or renewal notices
     • Your EBT card mailer
   • The phone number and address should match the ones used by your local SNAP office.

3. Use trusted contact information (not just what’s in the letter)

   • Look up your state’s official SNAP or benefits site by:
     • Visiting your state’s main government website (often ends in .gov)
     • Calling 211 and asking for the SNAP or food assistance office
   • Call the number listed on that official site to verify the notice.

4. Signs something might be a scam

   • Demands for immediate payment over text or social media
   • Requests for bank login, PINs, or credit card numbers
   • Emails from strange addresses not connected to a government domain

If you are unsure, contact your local SNAP office using a number you find through official government channels, not just the one in the letter.

First Steps When You Receive a SNAP Overpayment Notice

Time is important. Many states give you a limited number of days to appeal or respond (for example, 10–90 days, depending on state and issue).

1. Read the Entire Letter Carefully

Look for:

• Total overpayment amount
• Time period involved (which months)
• Reason for the overpayment (income change, reporting issue, agency error, etc.)
• Deadline to:
  • Request a hearing or appeal
  • Ask for a review or correction
• How they plan to collect (EBT reduction, billing, tax refund intercept, etc.)

Mark down any dates or deadlines in a calendar.

2. Compare the Letter With Your Own Records

Gather:

• Pay stubs, employer letters, or income records from the months listed
• Rent / mortgage or utility bills, if those were part of the issue
• Copies of change reports you submitted (if you kept any)
• Prior approval or renewal notices showing what you reported

Ask yourself:

• Did I report all changes I knew I had to report?
• Did I call or visit the office about a change?
• Did I keep proof of what I reported and when?

This will help you decide whether you may want to appeal or negotiate payment instead.

3. Contact Your Local SNAP Office With Questions

If anything is unclear, you can contact:

• Your caseworker (if listed)
• The customer service line for your state benefits agency
• The local county or district office that handles SNAP

When you call or visit, have:

• Your case number or client ID
• The overpayment notice in front of you
• Any supporting documents you already gathered

You can ask:

• How was this overpayment amount calculated?
• What kind of error are you claiming: agency, household, or intentional?
• What are my options for appeal, repayment, or waiver in this state?
• What are the deadlines?

Your Main Options After a SNAP Overpayment Notice

In many states, once you receive an overpayment notice, you typically have several possible paths:

1. Agree the amount is correct and set up repayment
2. Ask for a lower repayment amount per month
3. Appeal or request a hearing if you believe the notice is wrong
4. Ask for a waiver or compromise (where allowed)
5. Do nothing and allow the agency to move forward with collections (not usually recommended)

The exact options and forms are different by state, so it is important to check with your state or county SNAP office.

Quick Comparison of Common Options

How SNAP Overpayment Collections Usually Work

If you do not successfully appeal or change the decision, many states will start collecting overpaid benefits. Methods often include:

1. Reducing Future SNAP Benefits

If you still receive SNAP, the agency may take back a percentage of your monthly benefit until the overpayment is repaid.

• Some states use a standard percentage (for example, 10–20%)
• Your household gets less on the EBT card each month, but still receives some benefits

This should be explained in your notice or in a follow-up letter.

2. Sending Bills or Payment Agreements

If you no longer receive SNAP, you might get:

• Monthly bills or statements
• A request to sign a repayment agreement

You may be able to pay by:

• Mailing a check or money order
• Paying at a local office
• Other options set by your state

Always confirm where and how to pay using contact information from your official state agency, not from random emails or texts.

3. Tax Refund or Other Intercepts

For some overpayments, particularly larger ones or those labeled as fraud/IPV, states may:

• Refer the debt to a state or federal collection process
• Intercept state or federal tax refunds
• Use other collection tools allowed under state and federal rules

Your notice may indicate whether this is possible in your case.

Appealing a SNAP Overpayment Decision

If you believe the overpayment is wrong or not your fault, you typically have the right to:

• Ask for a fair hearing
• Request a reconsideration or administrative review, depending on the state

Deadlines Matter

Your notice usually states a specific time limit for:

• Requesting a hearing
• Submitting an appeal form

This might be 10, 30, 60, or 90 days, depending on the issue and where you live. If you miss the deadline, you might lose the right to challenge the decision.

How To Request a Hearing (General Overview)

The process differs by state, but it often includes:

1. Filling out a form

   • Often called a “Request for Fair Hearing” or “Appeal Request”
   • The form may be mailed with your notice or be available from your local office or official benefits portal.

2. Submitting the request

   • By mail, fax, in person, or sometimes online through the official portal.
   • Use the address or number listed on the official notice or your state’s main benefits site.

3. Preparing for the hearing

   • Collect:
     • Pay stubs and income records
     • Copies of change reports or letters you submitted
     • Any written notes of phone calls or office visits
   • You may be able to:
     • Bring witnesses, such as an employer or advocate
     • Request to see the agency’s file about your case before the hearing

4. Attending the hearing

   • May be in person, by phone, or by video.
   • A hearing officer or administrative law judge usually listens to both you and the agency.

Getting Help With an Appeal

You can often get free or low-cost help from:

• Legal aid organizations in your area
• Nonprofit advocacy groups that handle public benefit cases
• Sometimes, social workers or community organizations

To find help:

• Call 211 and ask for legal aid or SNAP overpayment help
• Ask your local SNAP office if they have a list of local legal or advocacy groups

Requesting a Lower Monthly Payment or Different Collection Method

If you do not dispute that you owe money, but you cannot afford the proposed payment, you can usually:

• Ask for a more affordable repayment plan
• Request that the deduction from your monthly SNAP benefits be reduced, when allowed

When you contact your local office:

• Explain your household expenses and income
• Ask if the state allows adjustments to the repayment percentage or monthly billing amount
• Be prepared to provide:
  • Bills (rent, utilities, medical expenses, child support, etc.)
  • Proof of current income

Each state has its own policies, and some may have minimum deduction amounts that cannot be lowered below a certain level.

Can SNAP Overpayments Be Waived?

In some situations, households ask if the overpayment can be forgiven or written off (often called a waiver or compromise).

Key points:

• Waivers are not automatic and may not be available in all states.
• Some states consider waivers if:
  • The overpayment was solely the agency’s fault, and
  • Collection would cause serious hardship or be not cost-effective.

If you want to explore this:

1. Ask your local SNAP office:

   • Does this state allow waivers or compromises for SNAP overpayments?
   • If so, what form do I need, and what evidence should I provide?

2. Consider getting help from legal aid or an advocacy group, especially if:

   • You have a very low income
   • You have disabilities, serious health issues, or other hardships

Remember, being approved for a waiver or partial forgiveness is not guaranteed, even if you ask.

If You Do Nothing

If you ignore the notice and do not respond, common consequences may include:

• Automatic reduction of your current SNAP benefits (if you still get them)
• Continued billing and collection efforts
• Possible tax refund intercepts or other collection tools for certain cases

Ignoring the notice does not usually make the debt go away and can sometimes make the situation harder to resolve later. It is generally better to:

• Call the local office to clarify your options, or
• Get help from legal aid or an advocate, even if you are unsure

Documents To Gather When Dealing With a SNAP Overpayment

Having organized records can make a big difference. Useful documents often include:

• The overpayment notice itself
• Identification:
  • State ID or driver’s license
  • SNAP case number or EBT card
• Income proof for the months in question:
  • Pay stubs
  • Employer statements
  • Unemployment or Social Security benefit letters
• Reporting records:
  • Copies of any change reports you submitted
  • Copies of mail, emails, or faxes sent to the agency
  • Notes of phone calls (dates, times, who you spoke with)
• Household expense records, if asking for lower payments or a waiver:
  • Rent/mortgage statements
  • Utility bills
  • Childcare or child support payments
  • Medical expense receipts (if significant)

Keep everything together in a folder or envelope so you can access it quickly when contacting your local office or preparing for a hearing.

How To Find the Right Office or Official Portal

Because SNAP is run by states and counties under federal rules, procedures can vary. To contact the correct office:

1. Identify your state and county.

2. Go to your state’s official government website (commonly ending in .gov) and look for:

   • “SNAP,” “Food Assistance,” or “Food Stamps”
   • “Department of Human Services,” “Social Services,” or similar

3. You can also:

   • Call 211 and say you need the number for your local SNAP or food assistance office.
   • Visit a county social services office in person if you know the location.

Always make sure you are using an official benefits portal or office number, especially before giving any personal information or making any payments.

Other Food Resources While You Sort Out an Overpayment

If your SNAP benefits are reduced because of an overpayment and you are worried about having enough food, you might look into additional help while everything is being resolved.

Common options:

• Food pantries and food banks
• Community meals or soup kitchens
• Faith-based organizations that offer emergency food assistance
• School meal programs for children
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) for eligible pregnant people, infants, and young children

You can usually find these by:

• Calling 211
• Asking your local SNAP office about community food resources
• Contacting local churches, community centers, or nonprofits

These resources are separate from SNAP and may help cover gaps while you address the overpayment.

By understanding what the SNAP overpayment letter means, how to check that it is legitimate, and what your options are, you can take more informed steps through your state’s official channels. If you are confused or overwhelmed, reaching out to your local SNAP agency, legal aid, or a trusted community organization can help you move forward with more clarity.