Strengthening SNAP Payment Accuracy at APHSA EMWB 2026 Conference

Westat’s SNAP experts will share insights on using data to strengthen public assistance programs at the 2026 American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) Economic Mobility & Well-Being (EMWB) Conference, taking place August 23–26 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The annual conference brings together human services leaders, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to explore innovative approaches that improve program performance, advance economic mobility, and support the effective delivery of human services. Westat is a proud sponsor of the conference.

Meet With Our Experts

Stop by our exhibit table to meet our SNAP and TANF experts and explore a collection of recent reports, case studies, and practical resources designed to support state and local agencies. Learn about innovative approaches to improving program administration, payment accuracy, client communications, automation, and service delivery.

Catch Our Presentations

Westat staff are presenting:

Monday, August 24, 11:30 am-12:30 pm (CT)

Reducing Participant Errors and Churn Through Human-Centered Design

Presenters: Morgan McKinney, Propel; Elizabeth Weber, Westat

When a family misses a SNAP renewal deadline or forgets to report a change in income, it’s rarely about unwillingness to comply–it’s confusion, complexity, and bad timing. The cost is real: families lose benefits they’re eligible for, and agencies absorb the rework. Client-caused errors account for nearly half of all SNAP payment error dollars nationally, and unreported income is the single biggest driver. With H.R. 1 raising the stakes on payment accuracy and adding new reporting burdens on clients, the risk of dropoff has never been higher.

This panel makes the case that participant errors and churn are a design problem, not just a compliance problem–and design problems are solvable. Policy researchers, technology partners and state agencies will share how they’ve worked to find the root causes of client-side errors, redesign communications and touchpoints for families, and build feedback loops to test what works. Attendees will leave with a practical menu of fixes for removing the barriers that cause mistakes in the first place.

Tuesday, August 25; 9:45–10:45 am (CT)

From Findings to Fixes: Turning QC Data Into a Payment Accuracy Powerhouse

Presenters: Jake Beckerman-Hsu and Michael Ribar, Westat; Brian Jones, Consultant; Shenetta Drone, Mississippi Department of Human Services

Presenters will discuss how agencies can use SNAP Quality Control (QC) data more strategically to better understand error patterns and support informed decisionmaking. Participants will learn how QC data is generated, what it can reveal, and common challenges in interpreting findings. The session will also demonstrate a free, customizable Excel-based tool that helps agencies organize and analyze their QC data to identify error patterns, prioritize corrective actions, and support policy, training, and payment accuracy initiatives. Drawing on practical experience from state administrators, the session will highlight approaches for incorporating QC findings into ongoing program management to support payment accuracy and strengthen SNAP operations.