WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has introduced new measures to strengthen the verification of identity and immigration status for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applicants. The guidance, issued on April 24 by Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services John Walk, follows directives from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order 14218. This order emphasizes the need to maximize eligibility verification systems to ensure taxpayer-funded benefits are only provided to legal U.S. residents.
“President Trump has made it clear that American taxpayers will no longer subsidize illegal aliens,” said Secretary Rollins. “We are stewards of taxpayer dollars, and it is our duty to ensure states confirm the identity and verify the immigration status of SNAP applicants. USDA’s nutrition programs are intended to support the most vulnerable Americans. To allow those who broke our laws by entering the United States illegally to receive these benefits is outrageous.”
A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlighted significant shortcomings in the administration of SNAP benefits. The report estimated $10.5 billion in improper payments were made in fiscal year 2023, accounting for 12% of total SNAP disbursements. Several of these errors were attributed to insufficient verification processes at the state level.
The updated guidance mandates more stringent documentation to confirm applicant identity and urges states to adopt advanced identity proofing methods. Enhanced measures to deter misuse of Social Security numbers have also been outlined. Additionally, states are instructed to leverage the Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system, which is now available free of charge, to validate immigration status more effectively. Other recommended best practices include increasing the use of in-person interviews during the application process.
This initiative builds on prior USDA efforts to address improper SNAP payments and tighten eligibility protocols. By implementing these changes, the agency aims to ensure the integrity of its nutrition programs and safeguard taxpayer resources. Moving forward, the USDA will work closely with state agencies to roll out these measures and further compliance with federal directives.
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