SNAP needs more than good intentions

A recent letter stated SNAP “does not deserve political theater.” On that point, I agree. However, when discussing a federal program serving 42 million Americans, the conversation cannot stop at avoiding theatrics. Serious programs demand serious oversight, and SNAP is no exception.

SNAP is a critical support system for families facing financial instability, and we should continue to uphold its purpose. But any program funded with billions in taxpayer dollars must demonstrate that eligibility requirements are being enforced consistently, accurately, and transparently. Without that, public trust erodes.

The scale of SNAP today calls for stronger policy discipline. This includes:

1. Rigorous verification of eligibility. The current application process is intentionally streamlined, but simplicity cannot come at the expense of accuracy. Eligibility must be verified with proper documentation checks, income reviews, and cross-agency data sharing to prevent fraudulent or mistaken approvals.

2. Continuous case monitoring. Circumstances change. Employment shifts. Income rises or falls. Without regular audits and periodic recertification, the program risks supporting individuals who may no longer qualify. States must be equipped to conduct these reviews in a timely manner.

3. Data-driven oversight and reporting. Federal and state agencies should be required to publish clear, consistent reporting on error rates, improper payments, and enforcement actions. Accountability cannot exist without transparency.

4. Stronger administrative standards. SNAP should not rely on optional enforcement. Federal guidelines must set minimum oversight standards, ensure states maintain adequate staffing and technology, and enforce consequences if verification procedures are neglected.

None of this diminishes the importance of SNAP. In fact, it strengthens it. Programs survive long-term only when they uphold both compassion and credibility. The families who truly need assistance benefit when the system is protected from abuse, administrative errors, and lax enforcement.

It is not unreasonable to ask whether all 42 million recipients meet the qualifications. That question is not a political jab—it is a basic requirement of responsible governance. Taxpayers expect it. Families who rely on SNAP deserve it. And the integrity of the program depends on it.

SNAP does not need political theater. But it absolutely requires rigorous oversight, disciplined administration, and transparent reporting. Anything less risks weakening one of our country’s most essential safety-net programs.

Thomas “Mayor TJ” Tjelmeland lives in Cedar Rapids.