Missouri Sees Major Waste in Food Stamp Program

Second-highest rate of overpayment in country

When it comes to food stamps, Missouri is about as wasteful as they come.

Recently released data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program show that Missouri had the second highest overpayment rate of the 53 states and territories that participate at 6.44 percent last fiscal year. Only Rhode Island was higher, at 6.5 percent.

The Show-Me State's overall error rate of 7.18 percent (which includes 0.73 percent in underpayments) was tied for third worst. The nationwide average was 3.42 percent.