SNAP

The latest government scandal is in the food stamp program. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps is administered by the Agriculture Department at a cost of $100 billion dollars per year. The USDA estimated that in 2023 about 11.7% of payments were improper so why is that still going on today and how does it happen. Application fraud which includes lying about income, household size or residency is where most problems start along with retail fraud where store owners exchange SNAP benefits for cash or nonfood items. Food stamps are traded on the street at a 50% discount. This is common among addicts to get cash to buy drugs. Some dealers will take the stamps directly. Once again Minnesota has the dubious position of leading the way in the fraud. This week, federal agents targeted 20 plus MN retailers involved in SNAP trafficking, where benefits are exchanged for cash or ineligible items. Audits indicate a lack of security left hundreds of thousands of people receiving double benefits or benefits intended for deceased individuals. This follows the scandals surrounding the “Feeding Our Future”, Child Care and Autism fraud. While this investigation is centered in MN most experts believe it is prevalent in other states. This leads many to believe that the government is too large to properly administer.