Executive Summary
Missouri SNAP program at the intersection of court-ordered reforms and new federal work requirements
SNAP Participants
667,837
Source: USDA FNS, Sept 2025
Households
329,021
Source: USDA FNS, Sept 2025
Monthly Benefits
$130.4M
Source: USDA FNS, Sept 2025
Application Denial Rate
56%
Target: <20%
Source: Court filing, Mar 2025
Payment Error Rate
9.42%
National avg: 10.93%
Source: USDA QC, FY2024
SNAP Caseload Trend (2004–2025)
Monthly families and individuals receiving SNAP
Source: Missouri DSS Caseload Counter Historical Data, May 2004–December 2025
Court Order Compliance
Actual performance vs. court-mandated targets
2.8x above court-ordered maximum
2.5x above court-ordered maximum
Court finding (May 2025): “No progress” since 2024 ruling. 56% of applications denied. 15,000 callers disconnected monthly. DSS ordered to comply within 60 days.
Source: Federal court filing, March 2025 · Case No. 6:22-cv-03008, Judge M. Douglas Harpool
Critical Situation
System modernization (MEDES) delayed to 2028. New SNAP work requirements went live February 1, 2026. An estimated 113,619 households are newly subject to ABAWD requirements with no automated tracking system in place. First benefit terminations begin May 1, 2026. State admin cost share increased from 50% to 75% under H.R. 1.
SNAP Participation by County
Percent of households receiving SNAP benefits
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, Table S2201