2 days ago
Another $1.6M SNAP benefits stolen as ‘big beautiful bill' looks to save
(WGN) — Food benefits are on the chopping block as part of a bill dubbed by President Trump as 'One Big Beautiful Bill.'
It passed the House and is now in the hands of the Senate. Critics argue it doesn't address a problem with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP that could save millions of dollars.
WGN Investigates: Investigating public corruption, crime & fraud
In Illinois, about 15% of the population relies on food benefits. The proposed legislation would, among other things, shift some of the cost to states and expand work requirements for recipients.
One SNAP recipient who was featured in a recent WGN Investigates story about stolen benefits says she wants to see the bill address the millions of dollars stolen using skimming devices instead of looking for ways to make cuts.
Previous Coverage: Stolen SNAP dollars will no longer be replaced
WGN Investigates search of state and federal data portals reveal another $1.6 million in stolen benefits were reported to the IL. Department of Human Services in the first three months of this year. In all – Illinois has reported $24 million in stolen benefits over the last few years. Nationwide – the federal government has replaced $322 million in stolen benefits.
Brandon Duke with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says, 'I don't see much here on enhancing the technology behind the SNAP program and those sorts of things. But instead cutting benefits in one way or another for families trying to get by.'
It's possible that other bills could tackle ways to protect the food benefit cards by implementing better technology. Later this year Illinois is expected to be part of a pilot program that would equip cards with chips, making them harder to tap into.
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