FNS Awards $404,037 to Texas to Improve Fraud Prevention, Detection in SNAP
DALLAS, August 10, 2022 (Updated Aug. 16, 2022) – USDA Food and Nutrition Service today awarded the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) 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.”
HHSC will use the $404,037 SNAP Fraud Framework Implementation Grant to create a fraud prevention training program. Additionally, HHSC will send 15 staff members to national fraud conferences and staff development trainings, as well as develop recipient integrity educational materials to inform SNAP clients on reporting requirements and program rules.
Additional grants are being awarded to:
- California Department of Social Services
- District of Columbia Department of Human Services
- Illinois Department of Human Services
- Wisconsin Department of Health 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 Southwest Regional Administrator Bill Ludwig. “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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