The recent tax and spending bill introduces sweeping changes to SNAP, requiring states to pay a share of benefit costs if their payment error rates exceed federal limits. Oregon, currently at 14%, faces up to $250 million in annual penalties if it doesn’t improve. Bureaucrats on the ground are working to reduce mistakes caused by complex rules, human error, and data entry issues. Workers use checklists, training, and AI tools like 'Eligibility Bot' to catch errors before approval. Yet balancing accuracy with accessibility remains a challenge—stricter documentation can deter eligible recipients. Federal audits add pressure, but frontline staff strive to maintain compassion in the process. Governor Tina Kotek resists cutting benefits, warning that underfunding could deepen hunger and shift costs to other public services. The stakes are high: if states can't meet the new standards, the entire safety net could fray.