Even after the shutdown ends, SNAP will be at risk as states start to pay for a portion of the program for the first time. Their share will depend on an obscure stat -- the payment error rate.
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Nick Fountain produces and reports for Planet Money. Since he joined the team in 2015, he's reported stories on pears, black pepper, ice cream, chicken, and hot dogs (twice). Come to think of it, he reports on food a whole lot. But he's also driven the world's longest yard sale, uncovered the secretive group that controls international mail, and told the story of a crazy patent scheme that involved an acting Attorney General.