Billions Wasted on “Improper” Food Stamp Payments

According to a new report issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), $2.7 billion worth of improper food stamp payments were made in fiscal year (FY) 2012. That equals 3.8 percent of total food stamp benefit payouts for that year.

The rate of improper food stamp payments has generally decreased since FY 2005. While this may be good news, because food stamp spending increased dramatically over this period, the amount of improper payments also increased. In the past nine years, the federal government has spent a grand total of $15.6 billion on improper food stamp payments.

What can be done to prevent this? One answer is a meaningful work requirement. Able-bodied adults should be required to work, prepare for work, or look for work in exchange for receiving assistance.
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