Improved data sharing between state Medicaid and SNAP agencies can benefit both eligible families and the agencies themselves by simplifying enrollment and administrative processes. By sharing data, SNAP and Medicaid programs can potentially facilitate eligibility determinations and targeted outreach as well as support more efficient enrollment for each program. With the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency on the near horizon, efforts to streamline and coordinate data across state agencies may help relieve challenges associated with the unwinding.

These case studies highlight innovative state strategies in Colorado, North Carolina, and South Dakota to improve data coordination between SNAP and Medicaid agencies with the goal of improving access for eligible individuals and families. The case studies are a product of Improving Data Coordination Between SNAP and Medicaid, a national initiative led by Benefits Data Trust and the Center for Health Care Strategies through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Related Resources

Data Coordination at SNAP and Medicaid Agencies: A National Landscape Analysis

In 2022, Benefits Data Trust and the Center for Health Care Strategies conducted a nationwide survey to document the current state of data coordination between SNAP and Medicaid programs. A first report describes where and how data coordination is currently happening across the country. A second report highlights key areas for improving Medicaid-SNAP data coordination, including recommendations for the federal government to better support states in data coordination efforts. Learn more