Stopping food stamp fraud

A controversial plan designed to stop fraud in the Food Stamp program is drawing a mix of praise and criticism. The proposal, backed by State Auditor Dave Yost and some reform-minded lawmakers, would require the photos of food stamp card users to be placed on their card. Yost said it would make it harder for someone else to use the card if it is stolen, sold for cash or traded for something else.

"This is as close to a no-brainer as you can get. There is no harm to anyone. There is no cost to anyone. It's going to deter drug trafficking and food stamp fraud," Yost said.

At a recent Statehouse news conference, Yost said drug dealers often accept food stamp cards as payment for drugs. He said having the card user's photo on the card would make it harder for those cash benefits to be spent at grocery stores.

The move has the support of Tommy Whiteman, Xenia, a disabled cancer survivor.

"I have a lot of health issues so it really hits hard for me," Whiteman said. He does not mind that his photo would be placed on his card to prevent abuse.

At least one state lawmaker, however, called it a bad idea. Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan, D- Youngstown, said the move unfairly targets vulnerable Ohioans. In a written statement, Lepore-Hagan said,"Throwing up precedural hurdles like photo ID requirements will increase program costs and potentially discourage the participation of vulnerable Ohioans who rely on the program to help feed their families."

We polled our viewers on Facebook and Twitter, and here are the results:

The new requirement is contained in a proposed bill, HB 50, recently introduced by State Representative Tim Schaffer, R-Lancaster. A companion bill is expected to be introduced this week in the Ohio Senate.

Some key aspects of the bill:
- Requires that a color photo of a food stamp card user be placed on their card
- Requires that the back of the food stamp card have a toll-free hotline number to report fraud 
- The following people would not be required to have their photos on their food stamp cards: the blind, disabled, people who are 60 or more years old, victims of domestic violence or people who have a religious objection to having their picture taken.