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US SNAP program error rates and fraud investigations

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-10-21 20:55 UTC → 2026-10-21 23:01 UTC · added removed

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 targeted 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 schemes, including 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 has initiated specific operations launched an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation targeting non-citizens undocumented immigrants, including Haitian and Cuban nationals, accused of unlawfully obtaining benefits.

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  1. 2026-10-21 23:01 UTC US SNAP program error rates and fraud investigations
  2. 2026-10-21 20:55 UTC US SNAP program error rates and fraud investigations

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