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Florida Law Aims to Crack Down on Food Stamp Fraud

Food Stamps Fraud
Posted at 6:25 PM, Sep 27, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-27 18:52:31-04

TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) - A new law in the Sunshine State is aimed at preventing food stamp fraud.

Though more than 2 million Florida households rely on food stamps, the state has discovered over $21 million in fraud just last year. 

Jack Heacock, director of the Division of Public Assistance Fraud, said that the fraud was not only harmful to those who rightfully qualify for the benefits, but it also is stealing from all the taxpayers who pay into the program.

"We have limited resources in the state of Florida, to attack this, so we have to have every possible means of going after this problem. Trafficking is a very wasteful practice and a very wasteful offense," said Heacock.