Rep. Nancy Mace Introduces Fair Act To Crack Down On EBT Fraud And Protect Taxpayer Dollars
New bill requires photo ID on SNAP EBT cards to shut down abuse in a program serving over 40 million Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 4, 2025) — Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace introduced the Food Assistance Integrity and Responsibility (FAIR) Act, a bill which brings long-overdue accountability to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by requiring a photo ID on every EBT card and ensuring benefits are redeemed only by the individuals who are legally eligible to receive them.
Under current law, there is little to no identity verification when a SNAP EBT card is used, opening the door to card sharing, unauthorized purchases, stolen cards being exploited, and taxpayer dollars going to people who aren’t legally eligible at all.
Across the country, states are reporting massive losses from SNAP fraud and misuse. In just the first quarter of FY 2025, more than $102 million in stolen or fraudulent benefits were approved. During this same period, states recorded over 226,000 fraudulent SNAP claims and 691,000 unauthorized transactions nationwide, including 4,209 stolen benefits in South Carolina.
These numbers show the system is wide open to abuse. Our bill aligns with President Donald Trump’s efforts to crack down on SNAP fraud and ensure benefits go only to the Americans who are truly eligible to receive them. “Taxpayers have had enough of watching their hard-earned dollars abused by people with no legal right to these benefits,” said Congresswoman Mace. "This isn't complicated, if you're eligible for SNAP, your photo goes on the card and you're the only one who uses it. Not fraudsters, not criminals, not someone borrowing a card they have no right to use. This is basic common sense, fairness, and protecting taxpayers and the American families who truly need food assistance.”
The FAIR Act protects taxpayer dollars and makes sure SNAP benefits go only to the households they are meant to support. The bill:
- Requires a photo ID on every SNAP EBT card so retailers and states can verify the cardholder’s identity at the point of purchase
- Prevents unauthorized use by allowing benefits to be redeemed only by the individual whose name and photograph appear on the card.
- Allows states to issue additional photo-verified cards for households with multiple authorized users.
- Protects vulnerable families by providing accommodations for caregivers assisting minors, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.
- Requires retailers to verify the photo on every EBT card before completing a SNAP transaction.
- Directs USDA to update regulations within 18 months to fully implement these reforms nationwide.
See the bill text below:
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