SNAP and Food Assistance Fraud: $1.3B in Trafficking Annually

USDA estimates $1.3 billion in annual SNAP trafficking, where benefits are exchanged for cash at a discount. The program serves 12.6 million households with $112.8 billion in annual benefits.

EBT card skimming attacks surged 600% from 2019 to 2023. Over 3,500 retailers have been disqualified since 2015, with Florida leading in disqualifications. Small independent stores have 5x the trafficking rate of large retailers.

Analysis based on USDA FNS National Data Bank, USDA OIG reports, and GAO-23-105442.