Yesterday I learned that the number of individuals in the United States who are eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (aka Food Stamps) assistance has grown by 14% and now has reached ~41 million persons, not surprising given ~43 million live at or below the poverty level and ~53 million live in a food insecure situations. For those not familiar with the SNAP program, this is a social benefit paid for with our tax dollars to provide a defined level of assistance to low income families so as to put nutritional and healthy food within reach of these households. The programs are administered by state agencies. So where is the criminal angle? The Department of Agriculture (they have oversight over the SNAP program) sent three undercover agents into Seattle stores and recorded multiple (~95) fraudulent transactions. Their effort resulted in multiple arrests yesterday, with the Federal agents alleging that the individuals were paying cash for food stamps ($.50 on the dollar). According to KING5 (Seattle TV Station), one store redeemed more than $2 million dollars worth of food stamps between July 2009 – July 2010. The Department of Agriculture noted this same store estimated that their participation in the SNAP program would be ~$90,000 per year. Concurrently, “KING5 Investigators” has been conducting their own investigation into “back alley deals” surrounding food stamp fraud, which implicates additional businesses and people.
Where do these individuals get their food if they’ve sold their food stamps and halved their buying power for their food. They move to the local food banks, and draw goods from the shelves and thus depriving a truly needful family of food, due to their criminal activity. The good news is that when an individual participant, in Washington State is found to have misused their benefit, they will become engaged in legal proceeding, loss of cash benefits and prosecuted.
So if you are aware of any fraud – REPORT IT
(In Washington State fraud hotline: 1-866-363-4276).
I hope you will join in and be a voice to shine the spot-light of justice on those who engage in fraudulent behavior with respect to our social programs, here in Washington State or in yours. We don’t need to allow criminals to continue to deprive those who hunger from availability of food at the food banks. Let’s collectively push down the ugly head of crime.
Thank you for your time.
All the very best,
Christopher
Links:
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services: October 5 Statement on Federal Food Stamp Fraud Investigation
Please also visit: www.burgessct.com