State, Federal Agencies Investigate Whistleblower Claims Over Maryland SNAP Payment Errors

ANNAPOLIS, MD — State and federal agencies have launched investigations into whistleblower allegations that Maryland officials mishandled payment errors in the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), potentially delaying hundreds of millions of dollars in federal penalties. The whistleblower claims senior officials within the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) knowingly left payment errors uncorrected in an effort to postpone up to $240 million in penalties from the federal government. After raising concerns internally, the whistleblower lost their job and may qualify for federal whistleblower protections.

U.S. Rep. Andy Harris confirmed that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General has begun reviewing the allegations. The USDA oversees SNAP at the federal level. Gov. Wes Moore has denied the claims but has not released details about any internal findings or investigations. According to the whistleblower, repeated attempts to alert state leaders and oversight agencies went unanswered before their termination.

Both state and federal reviews remain ongoing, and no findings have been released. Officials have not announced whether the investigation will result in disciplinary action or policy changes. The case has raised new questions about oversight, transparency, and accountability within Maryland’s social services system as investigators continue to review the claims.