Overview

• Auditor Dave Boliek’s report says SNAP payment timeliness fell to 91% for 2022–2024, below the USDA’s 95% standard and down from 98% in 2021.
• The late payments totaled about $83 million from 2021 to 2024, representing roughly 0.5% of $15.7 billion in SNAP benefits paid statewide.
• DHHS told auditors it suspended corrective actions during COVID-19 and resumed enforcement in April, citing staffing strains and added Medicaid workload.
• Several counties had elevated late rates between 2022 and 2024, including Davidson (24.9%), Edgecombe (22.2%), Wake (22.0%), and Mecklenburg (21.2%), with Mecklenburg logging the highest volume of untimely applications (71,385).
• The audit counted more than 290,000 delayed payments and recommended consistent monitoring, enforcement of corrective actions, and better access to data on the extent of delays.