(FOX 9) - The state on Friday said reporting errors led to what appeared to be dramatic spikes in federal food benefit payouts in recent years. The agency that administers the program in Minnesota issued the explanation after a Republican state lawmaker and others on social media questioned the numbers.

State says reporting errors led to spike in SNAP figures

By the numbers:

According to federal data, SNAP payouts nearly tripled between 2020 and 2021, jumping from about $725 million to $1.9 billion. The spike marked the largest jump nationwide. The nearly $2 billion total stayed about the same in 2022 before dropping by about $400 million in 2023, the most recent year for which data is available.

The explanation:

In a statement, the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Famili

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