(The Hill) – During a recent announcement, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins revealed that the Trump administration plans to mandate all SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) beneficiaries to reapply for their assistance, amid concerns over fraud.
Rollins specified that data from 29 states indicated that “186,000 deceased individuals, including children, are still receiving benefits in this country.”
She expressed curiosity about what the data from blue states would unveil, hinting at potential discrepancies, during her appearance on Rob Schmitt Tonight on Newsmax.
“This will provide us a solid foundation to overhaul the program completely – we want to ensure that every individual utilizing taxpayer-funded assistance truly relies on it for survival,” she stated.
Who could qualify for Trump’s suggested $2K tariff rebate? What’s happened in the past
It’s a usual practice for each state to conduct regular recertification of SNAP or food stamp recipients to confirm their residence and income, as per the guidelines issued by the Department of Agriculture (USDA).
A spokesperson from the USDA emphasized, “Secretary Rollins is committed to eradicating fraud and waste within the SNAP system. Previous fraud rates were simply assumptions, but President Trump is taking action. Recertifying households is just part of the effort, along with thorough evaluation of state data and boosting collaboration with the states.”
This month marked a tense time for food stamps as the Trump administration contested using reserve funds to support welfare programs amidst a government shutdown.
Rollins assured that families and individuals are expected to receive their full benefits by Monday.
According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, over 41 million Americans rely on SNAP benefits to purchase food.
Additionally, Rollins remarked that 120 individuals have already been detained for committing SNAP fraud and labeled the program as “corrupt” during discussions with CNN.
She conveyed to Newsmax that, “We’re uncovering issues that were neglected for years because past administrations didn’t have the necessary systems in place. However, we have that now.”
Rollins affirmed that “The president has prioritized this matter; we are dedicated to fixing this program.”
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest updates on news, weather, sports, and streaming video, visit KRON4.
