Fact-check · Oct 20, 2026
“We've removed the names of 160,000 dead people from the list of food stamp recipients”
MISLEADING
What the record shows
USDA reported 186,000 deceased individuals still receiving SNAP benefits as of July 2025 (from 29 compliant states only). No official figure of 160,000 removed has been published. The claim misrepresents a finding about ongoing payments as a removal action.
The figure cited (160,000) does not match official reports (186,000). More critically, sources describe deceased people still on rolls, not removed. No independent audit confirms removals of this magnitude.
Sources
- USDA head says ‘everyone’ on SNAP will now have to reapply
- What we know about claims USDA found thousands of dead and double-enrolled people on SNAP
- Secretary of Ag. says SNAP beneficiaries will have to reapply, leaving some in limbo
- USDA chief claimed SNAP was ‘corrupt’ as funding ran out : NPR
- Trump administration says it will withhold SNAP from states led by Democrats if they don't provide recipient data
- SNAP benefits update: USDA to ‘completely deconstruct’ program - Newsweek
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