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USDA SNAP Data Integrity Team Finds About $3B of Fraud Across 20+ States

Scott McClallen
Scott McClallen  |  May 16, 2026 4:00 PM

The federal government is cracking down on fraud like never before. 

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced its SNAP integrity data team. 

That team requested SNAP data from many states, encompassing 41 million people who rely on the program. 

About 28 states and the territory of Guam handed over data so that the federal government could stamp out fraud. 

In the data provided by 29 agencies, initial estimates indicate the team identified at least $3 billion a year of potential fraud, waste, and abuse. 

But 22 states refused to hand over data. 

The SNAP program costs nearly $100 billion annually.  Congress tasks the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with managing that investment and statutorily demands that integrity and accountability practices be implemented by both state agencies and USDA. USDA will leverage every available tool to prevent fraud and protect the generosity of the American taxpayer.

In May 2025, Secretary Brooke L. Rollins directed states to share their SNAP eligibility data with USDA, launching a historic and collaborative effort to root out fraud, waste, and abuse. The Department established the first ever SNAP Program Integrity Data Team to analyze the data provided by states and compare it to readily available federal databases. 

The USDA is working together with these state agencies to verify and, where appropriate, take action on the flags the data analyses revealed.  Together, USDA and states will safeguard SNAP – and American taxpayers – from fraud, waste, and abuse, preserving benefits for those most in need.

The fraud blitz has caught over 1,000 alleged criminals, including three siblings who apparently stole from the program.

Earlier this month, a man in Florida was arrested in connection with a $2.8 million SNAP fraud scheme. The man allegedly stole the business identities of real stores and used them to bilk taxpayers.

This week, a grocery store owner in Minnesota was accused of committing $1.1 million of SNAP fraud. That man allegedly used other people's SNAP cards to buy products at bulk retailers like Sam's Club and Costco and then resold those items at his store.