USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins discussed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, in an interview with Newsmax on Thursday, November 13. She stated that she plans to have everyone “reapply for this benefit to ensure that all individuals receiving taxpayer-funded assistance through programs like SNAP truly need help to survive.”
She did not provide details on the start time and implementation method of the new plan.
Previously, due to the federal government shutdown leading to depletion of federal funds, SNAP funding also ran dry. Many conservative commentators strongly criticized the government’s excessive spending on SNAP. President Trump also agreed with this view.
Currently, nearly 42 million people in the US receive this benefit, with a total expenditure of around $100 billion in the 2024 fiscal year.
President Trump told Fox News on Monday, November 10, that “people have been talking about SNAP, but SNAP should be for those in need, and the current amount of aid far exceeds what is necessary.”
The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service stated that SNAP fraud typically includes applicants intentionally providing false information to qualify, retailers exchanging benefits for cash, or criminal individuals using EBT cards to steal benefits.
On Thursday, Rollins revealed that data provided by 29 red states in response to USDA requests showed that 186,000 “deceased men, women, and children” were “receiving checks” through SNAP. 21 blue states refused USDA’s request.
Rollins informed Newsmax that 120 Americans have been arrested for SNAP fraud. She added, “The President has made this a top priority, and we will address the issues with this program.”
President Trump stated on Monday that such fraudulent activities “truly jeopardize national security.”
Anti-hunger organizations have stated that fraud is not as severe as the government claims and pointed out that SNAP only provides around $6 in benefits per participant per day on average.
Currently, SNAP administrators in various states have requested beneficiaries to recertify their information every six months, requiring recipients to continuously update their work history, income, and other personal details.
Rollins hinted on Thursday that a new plan to reform the program will be announced in the coming weeks and has instructed states to submit data from SNAP participants, including their social security numbers.
This initiative is currently facing legal challenges.
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), which came into effect in July, significantly reduced SNAP’s previous $186 billion expenditure and introduced new work requirements and other restrictions for welfare recipients.
President Trump stated on Monday, “People in need must receive help, and I fully support that, but those who are able-bodied and can work should not resign because they feel they can receive benefits, which is easier. However, this is not the original intention of the SNAP program.”
(Partial information from POLITICO and Congressional Hill reports)