All state agencies determining eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program must adhere to President Trump’s Executive Order to maximise identity verification and protect taxpayer benefits for those eligible.
The direction was instructed by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, reflecting Trump’s position on protecting American taxpayers and “no longer subsidising illegal aliens” as he put it, who are ineligible to claim benefits. Secretary Rollins said identity verification practices would play a critical role in verifying immigration status of SNAP applicants and ensuring the nutrition programmes go towards helping the “most vulnerable Americans”.
In February, USDA-FNS authorities reviewed the administration of SNAP benefits adjusting in line with Executive Order 14128. A recent report found a staggering $10.5 billion improper payments were made in 2023 alone. 12% of total SNAP payments were ineligible, attributed to the inadequate verification of an applicant’s citizenship and identity by states whose job it is to check.
The guidance passed down to states requires them to now acquire reliable state–approved identity documents and measures to combat fraud of Social Security Numbers and the Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system. The programme available to states for free should encourage its proper use and make it easier to verify immigration status.
“Administration will uphold the rule of law, defend against the waste of hard-earned taxpayer resources, and protect benefits for American citizens in need, including individuals with disabilities and veterans” the order stated on February 15, 2025.
To protect American identity and immigration status, states are encouraged to mandate verification of all applicants’ claims to United States citizenship, or adopt the State’s Identity Authentication Option that uses multiple choice authentication questions.
