State Rep. Jason Woolford (R-Howell) Wednesday celebrated the House passage of his proposal designed to strengthen the integrity of Michigan’s Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system. The legislation would require that all Michigan Bridge Cards, used for programs such as food assistance and cash benefits, display a recipient’s digital photograph and signature directly on the card.

“Fraud involving food assistance programs has been increasing, and too often, benefits intended for struggling families are misused by people who aren’t eligible,” said Rep. Woolford. “House Bill 4515 will help ensure that the benefits go to the right people by making it much harder for someone to use a Bridge Card that isn’t theirs. This is about protecting benefits for Michigan families who truly need it.”

Under HB 4515, the cards would include:

• A digital photograph of the recipient for instant visual verification.
• The recipient’s signature to help prevent unauthorized transactions.

“I’ve been focused on eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse within state government and specifically within Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS),” said Rep. Woolford. “Michigan’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has an error rate of nearly 10%, and if we don’t get that number down, it will cost Michigan taxpayers millions of dollars. The people of Michigan can’t afford this waste and fraud to continue. This legislation is a step toward reducing fraud, protecting taxpayer dollars, and making sure assistance programs serve the people they were intended to help.

“We have a responsibility to make sure every dollar spent is reaching the right hands. This is a commonsense measure that increases security, reduces fraud, and helps protect Michigan residents’ money.”