Stories of SNAP/Food Stamp Misuse Not True, Says Member of Congress

“[C]able news sources, stories and chain emails” telling stories of rampant SNAP/Food Stamp misuse “are simply not true,” states Rep. James Moran (D-VA) in this op-ed. “SNAP benefits, distributed through an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card, can only be used for food.” Alcohol, tobacco, and non-grocery household supplies are prohibited. The program is also “an effective use of federal dollars,” with $1.72 in economic gain resulting from every $1 in SNAP/Food Stamps spent by recipients. The national underpayment/overpayment error rate is one of the lowest of any federal program (3.81 percent). Administrative costs are low, with 92 percent of SNAP/Food Stamp costs provided directly to recipients (the healthcare reform law shows 15-20 percent administrative costs). The program is critically important to low-income families with young children. “As chairman of the Congressional Prevention Caucus, I am acutely aware of the long-term health advantages associated with good nutrition in young children,” writes Moran. “Effective programs like SNAP are critical to ensuring the long-term health of our country and I will continue to advocate for this and other effective social safety-net programs,” he concludes.  (Read the full story here... Falls Church News-Press, February 8, 2012)