After the federal government reopened following 43 days during which social assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) were suspended, the government has announced that it intends to alter the program’s eligibility procedures. According to the Trump administration, it is necessary to fight against the misuse of public funds and to address cases of fraud within the country’s food security program. According to Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture, there are cases of more than 186,000 people who are reportedly deceased but continue to receive SNAP benefits, as well as nearly 500,000 people who are doubly enrolled and receive double assistance.
That is why Rollins stated that all SNAP beneficiaries will have to reapply for the program. However, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has not confirmed that a mass reapplication is necessary, but it has announced that a regulatory process will be initiated to control fraud. On the other hand, the United States Congressional Research Service (CRS) argues that intentional fraud through SNAP is rare, and that excessive or improper payments often result from administrative errors.
Federal government shutdown and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
After being stalled for 43 days due to the federal government shutdown, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has become the focus of the Trump administration. According to the government, it is necessary to review the eligibility procedures of those who already receive this assistance nationwide in order to prevent misuse of public funds. According to Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture, the administration will require all current SNAP program recipients to formally reapply for their benefits.
Authorities say the program must be thorough and ensure that those who receive this type of aid are families who truly would not have access to proper nutrition without it. According to Rollins, concerns about fraud, waste, and abuse are growing, as she claims that over 186,000 allegedly deceased individuals continue to receive these benefits, along with nearly 500,000 people who have duplicate enrollments and receive SNAP benefits in more than one state.
What does the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) say about this?
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has not at any point mentioned the requirement to “reapply en masse,” but it has referenced “standard recertification processes for households” as part of its regulatory work to control fraud. However, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) considers intentional fraud in SNAP to be “rare,” stating that the vast majority of overpayments or improper payments originate from administrative errors and have nothing to do with the applicant’s intent.
SNAP Eligibility
The main beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are people who cannot work or have very limited income, such as children, the elderly, people with disabilities, or working parents. It is a food safety net that allows households with low incomes and individuals who need this assistance to access the purchase of basic food items. Eligibility for this program depends on a family’s gross income, which must be equal to or less than 130% of the federal poverty level.