Food Stamp Recipients Would Need Photo ID

COVENTRY, RI—Democrats and Republicans are backing a new bill to combat food stamp fraud. State Sen. Nicholas D. Kettle (R-Dist. 21, Coventry, Foster, Scituate, West Greenwich), has introduced the legislation. It would require anyone using the food stamp program to show photo identification.

“There are many people in our state that genuinely need these benefits,” Kettle said. “People who try and defraud the food stamp program are stealing money from those who need EBT cards to keep from going hungry.”

His plan would work like this. Retailers would have to examine a photo ID to verify that a buyer presenting an EBT card is the person entitled to use the card. Plus, any retailer who neglects to verify eligibility will be suspended from the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) program for one month.

The bill is a much-needed tool to bolster the SNAP program, said Sen. Marc Cote, (D-Dist. 24, North Smithfield, Woonsocket).

“Protecting the integrity of this system will help us ensure that the benefits will get to the people that truly need them,” said Sen. Cote.

Senate bill (2017-S 279) now goes before the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.