By Jamie Martin
The USDA has announced major plans to revise the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a federal nutrition program supporting nearly 42 million Americans. Media comments suggest a strong focus on reducing what the department describe as “fraud, waste, and abuse,” though the agency has not yet presented complete data to support these claims.
USDA says data revealed thousands of cases involving deceased individuals still listed as recipients and people receiving duplicate benefits. It also pointed to more than 120 fraud-related arrests. However, experts say the USDA has not provided the full context behind these numbers. They note that payment corrections, delayed reporting, and administrative errors can cause these issues without any intentional wrongdoing.
The suggestion that all SNAP users might need to reapply created uncertainty among recipients and states. SNAP already includes scheduled recertification every six or twelve months, and USDA later clarified that it will rely on existing procedures rather than introduce additional steps.
Another significant development is the USDA’s effort to collect personal data from states. Many states refused, and a federal court ruled that withholding funds from them would likely be unlawful. Still, more than half the states submitted data, which USDA says it plans to compare with federal immigration verification tools. The Deparment says that only “legal citizens” should receive benefits, raising questions about how the agency intends to manage verification.
A draft regulation submitted last month suggests that the administration may tighten rules around “broad-based categorical eligibility,” a policy used by over 40 states to help low-income households qualify for SNAP more easily. Analysts warn that narrowing this policy could remove benefits for up to 6 million people.
Food policy organizations say these changes come at a difficult time, as new congressional work requirements are already expected to reduce benefits for millions. They argue that focusing on unproven fraud claims risks harming families who rely on basic nutrition assistance.
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Categories: National