USDA Tells OIG to Shape Up

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service has found that the Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General should take remedial action to correct past errors in the handling of food stamp cases. The findings are included in a May 14th letter from Chris Martin, Administrator of the Mid-Atlantic Region, to Al Masland, recently appointed Inspector General.

Martin's letter identified two problem areas in 1,250 cases: (1) OIG investigations "might not have been fully completed" before food stamp recipients were accused of food stamp trafficking (selling food stamps for cash) and asked to sign an agreement disqualifying themselves from the Food Stamp Program for 12 months; and (2) the OIG failed to provide accused persons with information about their legal rights or what exactly they were accused of doing wrong.

The OIG has agreed to send out corrected notices, to review all investigatory files, and to give accused persons the right to request a hearing and defend themselves. The OIG plans to begin sending out the new notices during June.

Advocates have long complained that the OIG railroads people into signing away their rights to food stamps by making vague accusations and threatening criminal prosecution. This approach enables the OIG to dispose of lots of cases in a hurry and to claim that it is saving lots of taxpayer money. But it also may be taking food out of the mouths of the innocent.

Individuals who receive the new OIG notices should seek legal advice. For more information, contact Community Legal Services (1-888-522-2401) and ask for Louise Hayes (ext. 2421), Amy Hirsch (ext. 2415), or Jon Blazer (ext. 2463).

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