State Rep. Pam Altendorf, R-Red Wing, is pushing back after Fox 9 reported that Minnesota’s recently publicized 174% jump in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) issuance was the result of a “reporting error,” arguing that such an explanation only raises new questions about government oversight.
Alpha News previously reported that Minnesota saw the largest one-year increase in SNAP issuance of any state in the country between fiscal years 2020 and 2021, according to federal data. SNAP issuance in Minnesota has continued to grow in the years since, reaching more than $1.5 billion in 2023, nearly triple the number from four years earlier.
State attributes spike to ‘reporting’ issue
Fox 9’s recent report cited a statement from the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) claiming the spike was caused by pandemic-era reporting mistakes — not increased benefit distribution.
The outlet reported that the issue “does not mean that taxpayer dollars were mistakenly doled out,” but that the state misreported how the benefits were categorized in federal filings. DCYF also said fraud within SNAP is “incredibly rare” and argued that card-skimming theft is a more common problem.
Altendorf says the explanation is ‘appalling’
Altendorf said the state’s explanation does not address how such a significant error — large enough to triple reported SNAP spending — could go undetected across multiple fiscal years.
“If true? They are now admitting to potentially submitting 4+ years of SNAP records incorrectly to the USDA,” Altendorf wrote on X. “At best, this is yet another example of mismanagement and dysfunction within the Walz Administration. At worst, it’s an attempt to conceal the growing web of fraud that continues to unravel under the Governor’s watch.”
My response to the @FoxNews story.
SNAP issuance with the 174% increase in 1-year……FOX9 just confidently reported this to be “only a reporting error”.
My statement FOX9 did NOT include in their reporting:
“If true? They are now admitting to potentially submitting 4+ years of… https://t.co/qcV3uwMbxF pic.twitter.com/yXj2OGdaRN
— Pam Altendorf (@PamAltendorf) November 8, 2025
She also noted that Fox 9 requested her statement for its story but did not include it in its broadcast or online article, and said the outlet is attempting to “sweep it under the rug.”
Altendorf repeatedly questioned how an error large enough to triple Minnesota’s reported SNAP spending could persist for multiple fiscal years without triggering internal or federal review.
“Was this only a mistake? If yes — how can a mistake this big go unnoticed for four years?” she wrote. “Minnesotans are tired of the lack of leadership and wasted tax dollars.”
Minnesota remains a holdout in federal SNAP audit
President Donald Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins have directed states to turn over detailed SNAP recipient data for a nationwide eligibility review.
Rollins has said the review has already uncovered individuals receiving benefits in multiple states, thousands of deceased individuals listed as active recipients, and nearly 700,000 ineligible recipients removed from rolls since January.
Minnesota is one of 21 states refusing to share its SNAP records. Attorney General Keith Ellison is suing to block the request, arguing it could expose over 400,000 Minnesotans’ personal information and be used for immigration enforcement.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
