The USDA says it began investigating an alleged multimillion-dollar fraud scheme “as soon as” SNAP benefit redemptions spiked at a tiny Boston retail store, blasting the Healey administration for

Investigators say unusually high redemptions, undercover buys and surveillance exposed years of alleged SNAP trafficking.

We’re allowing our kin, we’re allowing our friends, our neighbors to suffer the indignity … of not having enough food and to suffer the health consequences of not having enough money for food,” Chilton said.

A new report has found that error rates in benefits could trigger large state penalties, and more workers are needed to improve eligibility accuracy.