LANSING, Mich. (WNEM) – Following the battle over Supplemental Nutrition Aid Program (SNAP) benefits during the recent government shutdown, there is a new hurdle for people who depend on them.
Recipients must reapply from scratch, and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is not happy about it.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said SNAP recipients will be required to reapply for benefits as part of a national overhaul it said is meant to crack down on fraud.
“While I definitely think that we can all agree that we want to reduce any fraud that might be in the program, this isn’t the way to do it,” said Nessel.
In defending the reapplications, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins pointed to state data and audits she says show improper payments.
The USDA said it is relying on standard recertification processes while it works out details with no clear timetable.
“This is an exhausting and extensive process to fill out all of those forms, and there’s a lot of personal information that is involved,” said Nessel.
That difference is huge. Recertifying updates info already on file; a short check-in. Reapplying means filling out a full application again; proof of identity, residence, income, expenses, and often a new interview.
That can take weeks before benefits restart.
States manage SNAP, so the real timing and paperwork will vary by state. In many cases, a full application review can take up to about 30 days for a decision; during that time households can lose access if they aren’t already on an uninterrupted schedule. Advocates worry about longer delays.
“You can’t at the same time be firing inspector generals who oversee large programs, but then say, ‘we’re doing this to reduce the fraud,’” said Nessel.
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This article was published by WTVG on 2025-11-18 23:38:00
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