Trump Administration Orders Nationwide Reapplication for SNAP Amid Fraud Claims
Brooke Rollins says 186,000 deceased individuals received benefits as officials push for a sweeping overhaul of the food stamp program.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that the Trump administration intends to require all beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, to reapply for benefits—an effort aimed at combating what she described as “out-of-control fraud” within the program.
In an interview, Rollins said preliminary data from 29 states revealed that food assistance payments had been issued to 186,000 deceased individuals, adding: “Can you imagine what we’ll find when we receive data from the blue states?” She emphasized that the move would create a “platform for radically rebuilding the program” by requiring all beneficiaries to reapply to verify their eligibility.
SNAP is one of the largest food assistance programs in the United States, providing support to roughly 41 million Americans to purchase essential groceries, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Current laws require beneficiaries to periodically update their information every 6 to 12 months, but the Trump administration believes these measures are insufficient to curb abuses.
SNAP Overhaul Targets Fraud Amid Controversy
In a statement to The Hill, a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture said the administration “is working to end fraud and waste in the program,” noting that fraud rates were previously only estimated. The current administration, he added, is conducting a comprehensive data review, strengthening cooperation with states, and updating regulatory guidelines.
Food stamps recently faced the threat of suspension due to the government shutdown, after the Trump administration refused to use emergency funds to support social assistance programs. However, Rollins confirmed that benefits will be fully distributed to eligible recipients by Monday.
The secretary also pointed to the arrest of 120 individuals on fraud-related charges within SNAP, describing the program as “corrupt.” She added: “These are the issues we’re uncovering now—issues that no one has examined deeply for years. But we now have the system in place to do so. The president has made this a priority. We will fix this program.”
The move has sparked mixed reactions. Supporters argue it is necessary to protect taxpayers’ money, while critics warn that a mass re-registration requirement could disrupt access to benefits for the most vulnerable families—especially amid ongoing economic pressures and rising food prices.
