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US SNAP program error rates and fraud investigations
Overview
Illinois has reported rising error rates in its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), with improper payments increasing from 11.56% in 2024 to 14.67% last year. This trend places the state among the five highest in the United States for error rates. Experts have attributed these issues to antiquated technology and criminal exploitation, warning that taxpayers could face costs up to $700 million without improved identity verification.
Concurrently, a nationwide enforcement surge by the Department of Justice, the USDA, and the Department of Homeland Security has uncovered nearly $42 million in fraudulent SNAP benefits. This operation, involving thirteen U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Utah Attorney General’s Office, resulted in charges against more than 40 defendants. Total intended losses across various USDA programs are estimated at nearly $45 million between September 1 and October 21.
Specific schemes identified include the theft of EBT account information and social media-driven fraud. One major case involves two defendants accused of using stolen EBT information to facilitate approximately $29.7 million in fraudulent transactions. Additionally, social media personality Mercedes New, also known as ‘Shawty Dred’, is accused of causing $4.4 million in losses by accessing hundreds of SNAP accounts. As part of the crackdown, the Department of Homeland Security launched an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation targeting undocumented immigrants, including Haitian and Cuban nationals, accused of unlawfully obtaining benefits.
Entities
Department of Justice · Department of Homeland Security · Illinois · Markwayne Mullin · U.S. Department of Agriculture
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The enforcement surge uncovered nearly $42 million in SNAP fraud. regtechtimes.com · 100percentfedup.com · www.ntd.com · www.breitbart.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] More than 40 defendants were charged in the enforcement actions. regtechtimes.com · 100percentfedup.com · www.ntd.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Total intended losses to the federal government were nearly $45 million. regtechtimes.com · 100percentfedup.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Mercedes New is accused of causing $4.4 million in SNAP losses. 100percentfedup.com · www.ntd.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Department of Homeland Security launched an operation targeting illegal immigrants accused of SNAP fraud. internewscast.com · www.breitbart.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The enforcement surge occurred between September 1 and October 21. regtechtimes.com · 100percentfedup.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Two defendants are accused of a scheme involving $29.7 million in losses. 100percentfedup.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Five illegal migrants were arrested for unlawfully exploiting SNAP benefits. www.breitbart.com
Timeline
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[POLITICS] 8 sourcesUS authorities uncover $42 million in SNAP fraud during nationwide crackdown
A multi-agency US enforcement surge has uncovered nearly $42 million in SNAP fraud, leading to charges against over 40 defendants and a DHS operation targeting undocumented migrants accused of benefit fraud.
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[POLITICS] 2 sourcesIllinois SNAP error rate risks hundreds of millions in taxpayer costs
Illinois faces high error rates in its SNAP food subsidy program, which could cost taxpayers up to $700 million due to antiquated technology and identity fraud.
Sources
100percentfedup.com · breitbart.com · europesays.com · fairfieldsuntimes.com · internewscast.com · justthenews.com · kff.org · ntd.com · regtechtimes.com · wfmz.com
This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history