SNAP Fraud Costs Reach Five-Year High According to LexisNexis Risk Solutions Study
A study by LexisNexis® Risk Solutions reveals that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) agencies are experiencing a five-year high in fraud costs. On average, these agencies now spend $4.29 for every $1 lost to fraud due to increasing challenges with payment accuracy, data quality, and eligibility verification. The study surveyed 150 state and county SNAP decision-makers who reported growing pressure from federal requirements, complex eligibility decisions, administrative constraints, and sophisticated fraud schemes. The research highlights the interconnected nature of improper payments, program integrity, and operational efficiency in public benefit programs. Agencies with better access to reliable data were more successful at preventing fraud before benefits are issued. The findings also emphasize that document-related threats and cross-program fraud exposure have increased due to integrated eligibility systems expanding across multiple benefit environments.
Topics: cost analysis fraud program integrity public benefits SNAP