Rob Undersander’s experience highlights significant loopholes in Minnesota’s food stamp program. A retired engineer turned advocate, he discovered a gap in the eligibility criteria for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Undersander learned that the program determined eligibility based solely on income, ignoring assets entirely. With a modest income from retirement, he was able to qualify despite his considerable savings and property holdings.
In 2016, he put this to the test. After applying in Stearns County, he was approved for benefits within weeks. Over the following year, he collected thousands of dollars in SNAP benefits, which he then donated to charity. “I strongly support SNAP benefits for truly needy individuals,” he said. Yet, he expressed concern over the growing number of people relying on food support in a nation characterized by wealth and low unemployment rates. “One might call the current eligibility rules fraud by design,” Undersander remarked, echoing a sentiment that has gained traction amid Minnesota’s escalating fraud scandal.
As the state grapples with what some estimate could be tens of billions of dollars in fraudulent food aid payments, Undersander is set to testify on a bill aimed at reforming SNAP. Introduced by GOP state Rep. Pam Altendorf, the bill seeks to enforce stricter rules regarding income and asset verification for those applying for benefits.
Undersander’s advocacy gained momentum over the past decade. He has shared his findings at various levels, including testimony before Congress, yet he claims little progress has been made. The stark reality is that during the Biden administration, federal spending on SNAP soared to record highs. Reports indicated that spending reached approximately $128 billion in 2021 and $127 billion in 2022 due to COVID-19 relief measures, which expanded access to food assistance.
Minnesota’s SNAP expenditures tell a grim story as well. In 2020, the state distributed nearly $725 million in benefits. Just one year later, that figure skyrocketed to nearly $2 billion—an astounding 174% increase. Matt Schmid, director of the America First Policy Institute’s Health & Harvest Campaign, joins the call for reform. He labeled the current system fundamentally broken, pointing out that even millionaires and lottery winners can access taxpayer-funded benefits. “SNAP is meant to help needy Minnesotans put food on the table, not to subsidize people who already have significant financial resources,” he asserted.
Addressing SNAP’s inefficiencies, experts argue for better oversight to close loopholes that contribute to payment errors. They suggest that states reform the program by reinstating basic measures, such as an asset test, to bolster integrity and ensure benefits reach those truly in need. Schmid emphasized that this effort isn’t about reducing support but restoring SNAP’s original purpose.
The discussion of tighter eligibility rules comes amid ongoing criticism of Governor Tim Walz’s administration. Recent reports reveal significant fraud within Minnesota’s welfare system, including cases of individuals exploiting SNAP to gain unlawful benefits. A notable example involved a woman sentenced to federal prison for orchestrating a $325,000 fraud scheme with the help of family members.
As Minnesota lawmakers prepare to debate these critical issues, the need for reform is increasingly urgent. Ensuring that SNAP operates as intended, without enabling misuse by those with sufficient means, remains a priority for advocates like Undersander and watchdogs alike. As the state works to address rampant fraud, the outcomes of these discussions will play a significant role in shaping public trust in the welfare system.
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