Food Stamp Fraud Research Paper

Introduction

The United States of America implements many programs to aid its citizens in need. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program aims to help feed those who cannot afford to support themselves financially (“SNAP”). They do this by evaluating the financial need of a household based off of their resources, income, deductions, employment requirements, special rules for elderly or disabled, and immigrant eligibility (“Eligibility”). As many governmental programs do, SNAP has battled issues with fraud since the beginning of the program. Unfortunately, some individuals exploit this resource and undermine the integrity of the program (Food Stamp Fraud). Despite extensive efforts by the United States government, people continue to commit

They do this by forging an additional U.S. social security card, and apply with a different name and address at a separate state administered issue station (Kuchs). There have even been cases where people do this more than once, at multiple state issue stations, and are approved for more than one share of assistance (Roebuck 14). This defames the programs and can cause the U.S. government millions of dollars each year. Recipients are required to only apply for SNAP within the state that they reside (Fong 6). This ties in with misrepresentation because these criminals create fake social security numbers and identities so that they are not caught in the system more than

There are limitations as to what one can purchase with an EBT card. Therefore, an offender may choose to sell their benefits, so that they can use that cash freely on what they wish. It is a give and take where both offenders feel as though they are benefiting. The one who sells their EBT card and PIN receives money they can spend how they like, and the one who is buying that EBT card for a fraction of the price receives more money than they put in, and can purchase their participating items tax free. Rational Choice Theory implies that people will do what they can get away