Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) has taken aim at systemic fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
She introduced the Food Assistance Integrity and Responsibility (FAIR) Act on Thursday, which would require photo identification on all EBT cards and ensure benefits are redeemed only by authorized cardholders, aiming to protect taxpayers while safeguarding assistance for those who genuinely need it.
Fraud and misuse in SNAP have long raised concerns.
In the first quarter of FY 2025, states reported more than 226,000 fraudulent claims and 691,000 unauthorized transactions nationwide, including 4,209 stolen benefits in South Carolina.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service estimates that over $1 billion in benefits were improperly paid in recent years due to errors and fraud, according to ABC 4.
Mace framed the FAIR Act as a common-sense reform.
“Taxpayers have had enough of watching their hard-earned dollars abused by people with no legal right to these benefits,” she said in a statement. “This isn’t complicated—if you’re eligible for SNAP, your photo goes on the card and you’re the only one who uses it.”
“Not fraudsters, not criminals, not someone borrowing a card they have no right to use. This is basic common sense, fairness, and protecting taxpayers and the American families who truly need food assistance.”
Key provisions of the FAIR Act include requiring photo IDs for all SNAP EBT cards, restricting redemption to the cardholder, allowing additional verified cards for households with multiple authorized users and mandating that retailers confirm the cardholder’s photo at the point of sale.
The legislation also accommodates minors, seniors, and individuals with disabilities, ensuring vulnerable populations can still access benefits safely.
Experts note that some states, including Massachusetts, already require photo ID verification for SNAP, providing a precedent for nationwide reform.
A 2023 Government Accountability Office (GAO) audit found most SNAP fraud stemmed from improper verification of eligibility rather than systemic abuse, highlighting the need for additional safeguards.
Mace stressed the importance of a structured implementation.
The FAIR Act gives the USDA 18 months to update policies and issue regulations, creating a clear timeline for states to comply.
“There are real people that have real needs, and by addressing fraud, we can actually provide more benefits to the most vulnerable,” she said, emphasizing both efficiency and fairness.
The bill also aligns with broader federal efforts to reduce SNAP fraud, continuing initiatives begun under the Trump administration.
By instituting photo verification and stricter redemption rules, Mace aims to safeguard taxpayer funds while ensuring benefits reach only eligible households.
Mace likened the ID requirement for SNAP to everyday practices.
“You need an ID to buy a pack of cigarettes, to get a tattoo, to drink alcohol, to vote, to rent,” she said. “If you need an ID for all of that, you need an ID to get SNAP.”
She added that the FAIR Act could be a first step toward broader reforms to curb fraud in federal food assistance programs.
With the FAIR Act now in the House, Mace aims to hold the system accountable and make sure food assistance goes only to those who truly qualify.
