Recent efforts to combat fraud within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are gaining traction across multiple states, with legislative proposals and recovery plans being rolled out to protect vulnerable populations.
Boise, Idaho, is at the forefront of this fight. A new bill has been proposed to strengthen the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s (IDHW) ability to combat SNAP fraud. Currently, IDHW must issue subpoenas for bank records whenever there’s suspicion of fraud. According to Jared Larson, the Legislative & Regulatory Affairs Chief at IDHW, this bill would allow the department access to tax information from the Idaho Tax Commission, streamlining investigations by enabling them to review recipients’ adjusted gross income when fraud is suspected. Larson expressed optimism, stating, “We have been working with the Idaho Tax Commission on access to this for a few years now.” The bill has garnered majority support among lawmakers, aiming to fortify security around benefit programs, including Medicaid and the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program.
Moving to the east coast, New York City has launched its own remarkable initiative. Over the past 16 months, nearly 95,000 low-income households have managed to recover $47.7 million worth of stolen SNAP and Cash Assistance benefits. Mayor Eric Adams and DSS Commissioner Molly Wasow Park highlighted the city’s proactive approach to electronic fraud, especially targeting EBT card skimming, which frequently involves the use of illegal devices placed over card readers to capture users’ personal information. “Across the country, benefits are being stolen from the people who need them the most, but New York City is leading the way,” Adams remarked, emphasizing the importance of these funds for nearly 2 million New Yorkers who depend on them for basic needs like food and housing.
Despite the city's previous ability to replace stolen SNAP benefits, changes have taken effect. Starting December 20, 2024, due to Congress not extending the authorization under the American Relief Act 2025, New York City can no longer issue replacement benefits for thefts occurring after this date. Residents must file claims for stolen SNAP benefits within 30 days of discovering the theft. The DSS encourages vigilance among cardholders, urging them to frequently change their PINs, inspect card readers, and utilize the EBT card freeze function when not making transactions, which can prevent unauthorized access.
Meanwhile, Oregon is experiencing the consequences of fraud amid stringent federal policies. The state has nearly 447,000 households utilizing SNAP benefits, and officials are urging recipients to exercise heightened caution. With the recent end of federal policies to replace stolen benefits, any monthly SNAP benefits swiped from recipients are lost forever—a destructive impact on families needing assistance. Jake Sunderland from the Oregon Department of Human Services warned, “If their monthly benefits are stolen, they’ll be gone for good.” During the most recent months alone, nearly 200 households reported losing $77,000 due to fraud.
To add to the concerns, Oregon’s SNAP users face challenges with card skimming—a common method where devices attached to card readers steal information during transactions. With many individuals receiving only about $310 per month from SNAP, such losses are not just unfortunate; they are often devastating for families who rely on this funding for their basic expenditure.
Organizations like Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon are actively spreading awareness about these risks and advising SNAP recipients on how to protect themselves. Recommendations include managing accounts only through the secure ebtEDGE platform, freezing cards after transactions, safeguarding PINs, and regularly checking account activity. Users are advised to report fraudulent purchases immediately to protect their benefits.
This confluence of legislative action, community recovery efforts, and increased vigilance highlights growing concerns over SNAP benefit fraud. The focus on protecting the most vulnerable members of society against unscrupulous methods of theft is evident from Idaho to New York City and Oregon.
With the stakes being so high, the challenge for states and municipalities is clear: how to create secure environments for beneficiaries to help them access the aid they desperately need without falling victim to fraud. The measures taken today could determine how effectively they protect these programs and the populations who depend on them.