USDA: New Mexico "most fouled up SNAP system in the U.S.

Press Release

During questioning from Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham at a committee hearing today, a top official with the U.S. Department of Agriculture said, "New Mexico is probably the most fouled up SNAP system in the United States right now."

Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services with the USDA, also agreed during testimony before a subcommittee of the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee that he is willing to recommend a federal investigation of New Mexico's handling of the food-assistance program, known as SNAP.

"I have very deep concerns about the integrity of the SNAP program in my state in New Mexico," Rep. Lujan Grisham told Concannon. "I believe that these problems are clearly being caused by the way the state is administering the program and the fact that I don't believe that the federal government has been providing sufficient oversight. And the results are that many eligible New Mexicans who need emergency benefits are not getting them, and the overall result, of course, is that they're going hungry."

Lujan Grisham submitted a letter from the union representing New Mexico employees who allege that the state has failed to provide training and staff support related to implementation of the SNAP program. The letter also mentions allegations from state employees that they were instructed by supervisors to falsify applications for emergency food benefits.

Lujan Grisham was critical of the USDA for not being forthcoming with members of New Mexico's Congressional Delegation, who have been pressing the Department to provide answers about New Mexico's SNAP program.

The USDA recently informed the delegation and the state of New Mexico about serious problems related to the implementation of SNAP benefits. But Concannon said the USDA has not initiated its own investigation into the allegations of falsifying applications. Concannon said the state was conducting its own investigation, which Lujan Grisham said was not good enough.

North Carolina Rep. Mark Meadows, chairman of the subcommittee, asked Concannon to report back within 14 days with written answers to Lujan Grisham's concerns. He also encouraged Concannon to commit to a federal Office of Inspector General investigation into New Mexico's SNAP program, which Concannon said he would do.

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