USDA Tightens SNAP Eligibility Rules to Block Benefits for Ineligible Aliens

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is directing state agencies to strengthen their procedures for verifying identity and immigration status when determining eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This move, aimed at ensuring only eligible individuals receive taxpayer-funded nutrition aid, follows the implementation of Executive Order 14218 issued by President Trump.

Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services John Walk issued the guidance on April 24, under the direction of Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. The new measures require states to collect more reliable identity documents, increase scrutiny of social security number usage, and make full use of the Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system. Notably, SAVE is now available to states at no cost, following recent guidance from Secretary Noem to state governors.

The updated verification process is part of broader efforts to reduce improper SNAP payments, which totaled $10.5 billion in fiscal year 2023, or roughly 12% of all program disbursements. A Government Accountability Office report cited insufficient verification of applicants’ identity and citizenship as a significant factor in these errors. The new USDA directive emphasizes in-person interviews and digital identity proofing as best practices.

This action aligns with a February 2025 order from Secretary Rollins for USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service to review and improve SNAP program integrity in accordance with Executive Order 14128. USDA officials argue that these changes are essential to preserve benefits for eligible American citizens and uphold the integrity of the program.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from a USDA press release.

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