FNS Awards $741,751 to Wisconsin to Improve Fraud Prevention, Detection in SNAP

CHICAGO, August 10, 2022 (Updated Aug. 16, 2022) – USDA Food and Nutrition Service today awarded the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) a SNAP Fraud Framework Implementation Grant. This investment will help the state improve its recipient fraud prevention, detection, and investigation efforts by implementing principles from the SNAP Fraud Framework, a toolkit designed to help states prevent and detect fraud and sharpen their investigative techniques.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, has zero tolerance for fraud and continues to work with its state partners to implement measures to improve program integrity. While most recipients are eligible and use their benefits as intended, there are some who violate program rules.

“USDA and the Biden-Harris Administration are committed to program integrity in SNAP,” said Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Cindy Long. “These awards are critical in providing states with the tools they need to combat fraud in the delivery of nutrition assistance benefits.”

DHS will use the $741,751 SNAP Fraud Framework Implementation Grant to develop a data analysis program that will merge multi-formatted data currently available, as well as new data, in to an easy to utilize format. The program will quickly identify and analyze fraudulent SNAP transactions, identify fraud trends, and allow data and data analysis to be readily accessible to data analysts and investigators in all stages of the investigation.

“This grant will allow us to make the necessary resources available to enhance existing program protections, further safeguarding vital benefits for Wisconsin FoodShare members,” said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. “Our deepest appreciation goes to FNS for supporting Wisconsin’s fraud prevention efforts to protect our members and ensure they can put food on their tables.”

Additional grants are being awarded to:

• Texas Health and Human Services Commission
• California Department of Social Services
• District of Columbia Department of Human Services
• Illinois Department of Human Services
• Wyoming Department of Family Services

Each state will use grant funds to support new fraud prevention projects that fall under any of the seven components of the SNAP Fraud Framework: organizational management, performance measurement, recipient integrity education, fraud detection, investigations and dispositions, analytics and data management, and learning and development.

Past grantees have used their funds in a variety of ways. For example, states have educated recipients about program rules and the penalties of violating those rules, developed training materials for fraud prevention and detection, and offered professional development opportunities for staff to learn about new and emerging trends in fraud.

“There is no simple solution to combat fraud and each state may require a different approach to improve program integrity,” said Food and Nutrition Service Midwest Regional Administrator Vista Fletcher. “That’s why the SNAP Fraud Framework was designed as a flexible tool so that all states have the tools they need to improve program operations and efforts.”

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) leverages its 15 nutrition assistance programs to ensure that children, low-income individuals, and families have opportunities for a better future through equitable access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food, while building a more resilient food system. Under the leadership of Secretary Tom Vilsack, FNS is fighting to end food and nutrition insecurity for all through programs such as SNAP, school meals, and WIC. FNS also provides science-based nutrition recommendations through the co-development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. To learn more, visit www.fns.usda.gov and follow @USDANutrition.

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