USDA Signals Massive Overhaul As Millions May Be Required To Reapply For SNAP Benefits
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Thursday that the Trump administration is preparing a sweeping reset of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, signaling that millions of Americans may be ordered to reapply for the food assistance they already receive.
Rollins made the remarks during an interview on Newsmax, saying preliminary data from 29 red states identified 186,000 deceased individuals listed as active SNAP recipients. She suggested the number could grow once data from blue states are submitted. The program does not issue checks, but distributes benefits through electronic benefit transfer cards.
“Can you imagine when we get our hands on the blue state data what we’re going to find,” she said. “It’s going to give us a platform to fundamentally rebuild this program, have everyone reapply for their benefit, make sure every person getting a taxpayer-funded benefit literally is vulnerable and can’t survive without it.”
Rollins also said 120 people have been arrested for SNAP-related fraud and described the program as corrupt. “These are the things we’re uncovering that, for years, no one really ever dug into. But we do now. The president has made this a priority. We will fix this program.”
SNAP already requires frequent verification
Every state already uses a recurring eligibility process requiring recipients to update their income, address, and employment status. Most require verification every six to twelve months. Anti-hunger groups argue the administration’s fraud claims overstate the scope of the issue given the program’s existing checks.
A USDA spokesperson said the agency wants to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse, pointing to ongoing data analysis, new regulatory plans, and expanded coordination with state agencies.
Political pressure and federal cuts intensify scrutiny
The push comes during a period where SNAP has become a major political target. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed in July, cut $186 billion from SNAP and imposed stricter work rules and eligibility standards. The administration has framed the changes as part of a larger effort to rein in federal spending.
During the recent government shutdown fight, SNAP funding briefly came into question as the White House opposed using contingency funds to keep it operating. Rollins said recipients should still receive full benefits by Monday.
President Trump repeated his view that SNAP enrollment is too high, saying the program should be reserved for those who are truly “down and out.” He argued some able-bodied adults remain on benefits instead of working. “That’s not the purpose of it,” he said.
Program serves more than 41 million Americans
More than 41 million people rely on SNAP to buy groceries each month. As the administration prepares its next round of changes, how a full reapplication process would work remains unclear — including how long it would take, whether every household must refile paperwork, and whether benefits could be disrupted.
Rollins has already ordered states to submit detailed participant data, including Social Security numbers, a demand now facing legal challenges.
Penalties for SNAP fraud: Michigan and federal levels
Michigan State Penalties
Michigan treats SNAP fraud through both criminal law and program-specific sanctions. If someone intentionally obtains benefits through false statements or deceptive practices, penalties depend on the value involved. Fraud under $500 is a misdemeanor. Fraud over $500 is a felony.
Michigan also imposes a lifetime disqualification from the program for anyone convicted of trading, buying, or selling benefits, or exchanging benefits for firearms, ammunition, or explosives. State law also makes it a felony to possess or use food assistance benefits or access devices valued above $1,000.
Federal Penalties
Federal SNAP fraud penalties are tied to the value of the benefits involved. Fraud under $100 is treated as a misdemeanor. Anything $100 or above is a felony, with higher values triggering sharper consequences. Fraud involving $5,000 or more can result in federal prison sentences of up to 20 years.
In addition to criminal penalties, a federal conviction can also lead to temporary or long-term disqualification from the SNAP program, with the suspension period extended based on the severity of the offense.
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