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submission and the preferred method is the direct
system-to-system web service integration. Through
these means, the NAC allows maximum flexibility in its
integration into each state’s unique work environment.
The NAC puts the required information at the fingertips
of caseworkers so that duplication or suspicious identi-
ties can be resolved before benefits are approved.
WHY THE NAC NOW?
With a budget exceeding $80 billion annually, SNAP
is the largest program in what the USDA refers to as
“the domestic hunger safety net,” serving more than
45 million disadvantaged Americans. With so much at
stake and increased federal scrutiny, program integrity
is essential. Thus, effective mechanisms must be in
place to prevent losses from inappropriate or fraudulent
applications for benefits.
SNAP fraud was once thought to be negligible, but
not anymore. Analysis shows that both individuals
and organized groups have escalated their activity,
largely thanks to the fact that in the Internet era, state
programs have gone online, making identity fraud
easier and more lucrative to perpetrate.
In addition, claims based on fabricated or incomplete
identities are compromising the program’s resources. A
fraudster may start with real identity fragments from
different individuals—like a Social Security number
(SSN) and address—then compile these fragments into
an ever-growing number of new synthetic identities to
apply for benefits.
The NAC has also revealed that a small portion of
recipient data contains questionable information. For
example, placeholders have been seen for SSNs, dates
of birth, and addresses. While there may be legitimate
reasons for this, it increases the program’s overall risk
for fraud.
The NAC positively affects legitimate beneficiaries
who are playing by the rules and bolsters SNAP’s integ-
rity by weeding out waste and loss. It helps ensure the
public that government agencies are doing everything
they can to administer their taxpayer dollars properly.
These program integrity efforts help preserve SNAP’s
sustainability and its ability to serve its most vulner-
able populations.
Growth Potential Nationwide
Based on its proven track record, the Mississippi
Department of Human Services and other state
agencies see great promise in not only expanding NAC
nationwide, but in applying the solution to other gov-
ernment public assistance programs.
Consider the numbers. In addition to the afore-
mentioned cost savings, Mississippi saw a 71 percent
decrease in the average number of dual participants
per month when compared to pre-implementation
August 2016
Policy&Practice
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See NAC on page 48
Graphic courtesy of Governing Institute