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Ohio proposes law for photos to be added to food-stamp cards
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Needy residents would have their pictures added to the cards they use to buy groceries through the federal food-stamp program under legislation being offered by Republicans in the state Legislature.
The move, backers say, would help stop some of the fraudulent use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, with crooks potentially less willing to attempt to gain cash or merchandise using cards with someone else’s photograph.
“Stealing is bad,” said Sen. Matt Huffman, R-Lima, primary sponsor of the bill. “Stealing from poor people who need government assistance is worse.”
The proposed law changes have the backing of Republican state Auditor Dave Yost, who traveled to Washington, D.C., last year to offer testimony to the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture on the issue. An audit conducted by his office identified potential instances of fraud or weaknesses in the SNAP program.
Under the legislation announced Wednesday, photos of those eligible for food benefits would be added to the front of the cards they use at retailers.
Stores would not necessarily be allowed to block sales from those with someone else’s card. Instead, a phone number and website address would be included on the back of those cards, providing a place for retailers to report questionable transactions.
Yost said simply adding the pictures would be a deterrent – the former county prosecutor recounted that officers often find benefits cards during drug busts.
“As the auditor, I want to protect against fraud, I want to see tax dollars going where they ought to go,” he said. “As a citizen and a member of the law enforcement community, I’m interested in deterring drug trafficking.”
The legislation would include exemptions for residents age 60 or older, those who are disabled, victims of domestic violence or residents who have religious objections to be photographed.
Similar photo requirements are already in place in a couple of other states, with a handful of others considering enacting comparable laws.