'They're stealing from the poor': A major source of SNAP fraud robs recipients of millions

Oct 14, 2026 · Juliana Kim

Originally published by NPR News Read the original

'They're stealing from the poor': A major source of SNAP fraud robs recipients of millions

Jayeleauna Lewis and her 3-year-old daughter are from Indiana. When Lewis learned that her state does not replace stolen benefits, she recalled a SNAP worker recommending she go to food pantries for the rest of the month.

Organized criminal rings target SNAP recipients because of the government program's outdated security features. But upgrading the tech costs money and states' SNAP budgets are getting squeezed.

(Image credit: Octavio Jones for NPR)