The Department of Agriculture has uncovered widespread fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, according to recent statements from agency officials.
Deputy Secretary Steven Vaden revealed his agency is conducting data collection across multiple states to track where SNAP funds are being allocated. The preliminary findings have again raised significant concerns about program integrity.
Vaden disclosed that investigators discovered one individual receiving SNAP benefits in six different states simultaneously. In another case, a single person had more than $50,000 loaded onto their Electronic Benefits Transfer card.
EBT cards function similarly to credit cards for government assistance recipients. Unused funds automatically roll over to subsequent months.
The Deputy Secretary emphasized taxpayer rights in this matter. “The taxpayers have a right to know what is being done with their money and that, when we have appropriations, we are spending more than nine billion a month,” Vaden stated.
He further explained the impact of such fraud on legitimate recipients. “[Taxpayers] especially have a right to rest assured that only those who truly need are benefitting from the program, because every dollar you give to someone who has a balance of more than $15,000 on their EBT card cannot go to someone who is truly in need,” Vaden said.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins provided additional details during an appearance on “The Ingraham Angle.” Her revelations added another layer to the unfolding investigation.
Rollins reported that more than 500,000 individuals were found receiving SNAP benefits twice. Additionally, approximately 5,000 deceased individuals were still receiving benefits.
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The investigation comes amid broader discussions about government spending and program efficiency. The SNAP program distributes over nine billion dollars monthly, Vaden told Just The News.
Legitimate recipients who depend on SNAP to feed their families and children remain unaffected by the fraud investigation as the focus remains on identifying and stopping improper payments.
The Trump administration has signaled its intention to address government waste across federal programs with SNAP becoming a focal point of these efforts following the fraud revelations.
Late last month, a viral social media account called “EBT of TikTok” compiled videos of individuals threatening violence and theft following the suspension of federal food assistance benefits during the government shutdown.
In one video, a woman stated it was time to begin looting because the government had taken away benefits. Another user in a separate video dismissed those offering faith-based reassurance.
The discussion reached mainstream attention when rapper Cardi B posted a seven-minute video addressing the SNAP suspension. She claimed people would need to resort to hunting wildlife for their Thanksgiving meals due to the benefit pause.
Also last month, a coalition of 22 Democratic attorneys general—joined by governors from Kansas, Kentucky and Pennsylvania—filed a lawsuit against Rollins.
“Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program,” the statement read.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued on November 01.”
