Representative Nancy Mace (R-North Carolina) recently introduced the Food Assistance Integrity and Accountability (FAIR) Act, which aims to tackle fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by mandating photo identification for EBT card users.
An email from Mace’s office pointed out that there is currently minimal identity verification during SNAP transactions, which enables issues like card sharing, fraudulent purchases, and misuse of stolen cards, ultimately leading to taxpayer dollars going to those who aren’t eligible.
Consequently, fraudulent benefits amounting to millions have been authorized.
States across the nation are reporting significant losses due to SNAP fraud. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 alone, over $102 million in benefits were found to be stolen or fraudulent. During this period, more than 226,000 fraudulent claims were recorded, along with over 691,000 questionable transactions across the country, including 4,209 instances of benefit theft in South Carolina.
To address this significant issue, Mace proposed this legislation, which would require photo identification for all EBT card users to verify that the individual is indeed an authorized user. The bill would also enable states to issue additional photo ID cards for households with multiple authorized users and would require retailers to verify these photos before completing transactions. It also includes provisions for caregivers who assist individuals in need.
If approved, the bill would give the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) a period of 18 months to revise its regulations.
Mace stated that taxpayers are “tired of seeing their hard-earned money misused by those who aren’t legally entitled to these benefits.” She emphasized that the solution is straightforward: if someone qualifies for SNAP, their photo should be on their card, ensuring that only they can use it—not fraudsters or unauthorized users. “It’s common sense and fairness, protecting both taxpayers and families truly in need of food assistance,” she argued.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins has also been active in rooting out fraud within SNAP, revealing recently that “around 186,000 deceased individuals have received assistance” in the country. She commented on the urgency to address this issue, noting, “Half a million people are receiving benefits in duplicate.” She further added, “This data is just for 29 states, primarily Republican. Imagine the findings for the Democratic states.”
During a Cabinet meeting this week, Rollins announced that the Department would halt federal funding for states that do not provide SNAP data.
“In February, we asked all states for their data for the first time so we can collaborate with the Department of Agriculture to mitigate fraud and ensure food stamps are accessible to those who genuinely need them. It’s also about safeguarding the American taxpayer,” she stated. “Twenty-nine states complied, predominantly those that are Republican, where most of this fraud seems to arise.”
In contrast, twenty-one states, including California, New York, and Minnesota, chose not to comply.
