I want to congratulate you all on the successful effort you continue make toward achieving our Better than Average food stamp accuracy campaign goal. Last October we set a very ambitious goal of 93% payment accuracy for the fiscal year ending this September. At that time Alaska had the highest food stamp error rate in the nation. We are now definitely on track, and seriously contending for a performance bonus award as a state with the most improved accuracy.
Our Quality Assessment food stamp sample for May was just completed with 100% accuracy. It is the first full month sample in which all cases were found correct in more than six years! Needless to say, that level of performance helps our accuracy rate. We are about three quarters of the way through the sample year and there are great improvements in all across the state. The Southeast Region's accuracy rate now stands at a spectacular 99.1%, with but one small payment error in 33 sampled cases. The Northern Region has a remarkable accuracy rate of 96.4%. Central Region is well above our target at 95%. The Coastal region is close to our target at 92.3%.
There are individual offices whose food stamp accuracy performance so far this year deserves recognition: Ketchikan - 100%; Sitka - 100%; Southeast APA - 100%; Fairbanks District 44 - 97.9%; Fairbanks District 41 - 96.2 %; Kotzebue - 98.7%; Central APA - 98.1%; trusty Mat-Su 98.9%. The Bethel office is responsible for nearly 20% of the dollars in our QA sample, and they haveposted a fine 95.3%.
And let's not forget are friends on the Quality Assessment Review Committee, and the QA staff that have really given us a new outlook on working to prove cases correct. Their work has lowered the payment error rate by more than 2 full percentage points!
Throughout our campaign, we've emphasized the importance of a broad focus on work quality and continuous improvement efforts that cover more than food stamp accuracy. A telling point of success on this goal is that our statewide ATAP accuracy rate is now a much improved 98.2%, and we seen progressive movement on most of our performance measures. Good stuff all.
There is recognition and appreciation that caseloads are high and staff resources are less, yet you've worked hard and made a difference.
All contribute to our continuing work quality improvements. Much to your credit, we have made this progress without sacrificing our high standards of timeliness and excellent client service. Early in September we will draw the final monthly QA sample for the year. Keep up the good work and we're are bound to meet our goal. Thanks again for your help in moving forward. Better than Average indeed!