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Every year, like clockwork, social media explodes with “gotcha” stories about SNAP/EBT abuse and the so-called “welfare queen.” The narrative is as predictable as it is tired, and let’s be honest, it’s mainly used to punch down on the poor, the disabled, and anyone who doesn’t fit a particular idea of “deserving.” But what does the data actually say? And who’s really abusing SNAP/EBT?

Myth #1: SNAP Fraud Is Rampant

Let’s cut right to the chase: Actual SNAP/EBT fraud is rare. According to the USDA, the trafficking rate (i.e., selling benefits for cash) has been well below 1.5% for years, despite billions of transactions. Most errors in the system are due to paperwork mistakes or bureaucratic confusion, rather than malicious intent. The overwhelming majority of SNAP/EBT recipients are just regular people trying to feed their families.

Myth #2: The “Welfare Queen” Stereotype

This is the zombie myth that never dies, and let’s call it what it is: racist, classist dog-whistling. The image of the “welfare queen” was invented in the 1970s as a way to demonize Black mothers and people in poverty, often with made-up or wildly exaggerated stories.

It’s important to note that these stories were not based on data or real-life situations, but were used to perpetuate harmful stereotypes. In reality, SNAP/EBT recipients come from every background and walk of life: working families, elders, disabled folks, and, yes, even people like you and me, just trying to make ends meet.

The Real Process: No Free Rides

Having actually been through the SNAP/EBT application (and recertification) process myself, let me be clear. There is nothing easy or anonymous about it. I remember the stress of gathering all the necessary documents, the fear of making a mistake that could cost me my benefits, and the relief when my application was finally approved.

• You must provide proof of income, housing, bills, household size, and medical expenses, everything.
• Regular check-ins and re-approvals are the norm.
• If there’s even a minor error, your benefits can get delayed, reduced, or cut off entirely.
• If you earn a little “too much” one month, you’re out; there’s no wiggle room.

And yes, the government checks. Trust me. If anything, the system is designed to be difficult, not easy to abuse.

But What If Someone Cheats?

Even if one or two people do “game the system,” does that justify letting millions go hungry? The consequences of SNAP/EBT fraud are severe, including legal action, loss of benefits, and potential imprisonment. SNAP/EBT provides an average of $6.35 per person, per day. This isn’t living large; it’s survival. If the most significant scandal you can find is that someone bought steak instead of beans, maybe the real issue isn’t the recipient; it’s the tiny portion of dignity we begrudge people in poverty.

The Real Scandal: Hunger

The absolute outrage isn’t that someone somewhere “got away with something.” It’s that, in the wealthiest country in the world, millions of people, children, disabled folks, elders, working families, are one lost paycheck away from hunger. The SNAP/EBT program is about keeping people alive, not making them rich.

The Human Bottom Line

Everyone deserves to eat. Full stop. If you’re angry about people getting help, perhaps consider why so many need it in the first place. I’d rather live in a world where a few people get an extra loaf of bread than one where a child goes hungry to “prevent fraud.”

If you’ve ever used SNAP/EBT, are using it, or know someone who does, know that you are not the problem. Hunger is the problem. And feeding people is always the correct answer.