Photo might be added to food-stamp card
A legislative panel has signed off on a measure that would require the addition of color identification photos on benefits cards used by needy Ohioans to buy groceries through the federal foodstamp program.
The Ohio House’s Community and Family Advancement Committee approved House Bill 50 Wednesday despite Democratic members’ opposition.
Proponents, including Republican state Auditor Dave Yost, say the changes are needed to cut down on fraud, ensuring that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s Electronic Benefit Transfer cards are being used for their intended purpose and not by drug dealers and other crooks looking to turn them into cash.
“This bill’s going to go forward, and we are going to get more food on families’ tables as a result of this,” said Rep. Tim Schaffer, R-Lancaster, the primary sponsor. “And the taxpayers will be made whole much, much more by this photo-ID requirement helping to eliminate fraud.”
Opponents of the bill contend that it would target needy residents, potentially leading to a loss of food benefits.
“I understand the goal, of course, is to decrease the prevalence of fraud statewide,” said Rep. Janine Boyd, D-Cleveland Heights, the top Democrat on the House panel. “But there’s so many reasons this bill won’t do that the way it stands. A photo is not going to do any more than a name on a card, especially if (retailers) don’t have to check the cards.”
Critics note that the foodstamp cards are issued for a household, not one person, so a photo of one household member would not necessarily represent all the legitimate users of that card. About a third of beneficiaries are elderly or disabled and allow a caregiver to buy their groceries. And, the critics say, retailers often don’t check photos — and if a retailer is in on the fraud, the card won’t be a deterrent.
The legislation includes exemptions for those who are 60 or older, disabled or victims of domestic violence, or who have religious objections to being photographed.
The committee’s approval positions the bill for a full vote in the House; a date has not been set. Comparable legislation is being considered by the Senate.
Stores would not necessarily be allowed to block purchases by those using someone else’s card. Instead, a phone number and website address would be included on the back of the cards to help retailers report questionable transactions.
Boyd cited the lack of retailer accountability among the reasons she opposed the bill.
“Quite frankly, I am tired, as a legislator, of hearing my colleagues want to hold the most-vulnerable populations accountable and do nothing with those who are in a different position, such as the retailers,” she said. “If we’re not doing anything to be more preventive on the retailers’ side and hold them more accountable, then what we do really in the end is punish poor people.”