In September 2025, Michigan’s House of Representatives approved HB 4515, a proposal requiring photos and signatures on Bridge Cards — the debit cards used to access SNAP benefits in the state. Republican sponsor Rep. Jason Woolford framed the bill as a common-sense way to fight fraud by making it harder for someone to use a card that isn’t theirs. On its face, the idea sounds straightforward. But a closer look at Michigan’s own data, the state’s fiscal outlook, and the experiences of other states reveals why critics are calling it an expensive distraction.
Federal numbers confirm that Michigan has a problem with errors in its food assistance program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently reported that the state’s overpayment rate for SNAP benefits topped 8 percent last fiscal year, well above the program’s tolerance threshold. At the same time, Michigan’s underpayment rate was 1.5 percent proof that errors cut both ways and some families are being shortchanged. Fraud is only one part of a much larger issue involving outdated systems, caseworker workloads, and complex eligibility rules.
Democrats in the House argued that HB 4515 would do little to address these root causes while creating major new costs. During debate, Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou of East Lansing cited a nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency analysis warning that savings to the state are “indeterminate, but likely negligible,” while the cost of implementing photos and signatures could run into the millions each year. Taxpayers, she noted, would be footing the bill for a system overhaul that almost certainly would have little impact on fraud prevention.
The evidence from other states bears that out. West Virginia, the most recent state to adopt a photo EBT requirement, spent more than $10 million just to launch its program with no clear data showing that fraudulent use declined. Advocates also warn that requiring photos can stigmatize recipients, slow down checkout lines, and place additional administrative strain on the agency overseeing benefits. In other words, the policy could make access harder for legitimate families while doing little to stop bad actors.
The debate over HB 4515 highlights a larger truth: combating public-assistance errors and fraud is not simply a matter of putting faces on cards. It’s about investing in modern technology, training staff, and simplifying eligibility rules all of which are less flashy but far more likely to deliver real results. Until lawmakers address those systemic issues, Michigan risks spending millions on measures that make for good headlines but poor policy.
With the state Senate expected to block the bill, HB 4515 may never become law. Yet the fight over it underscores a crucial question for Michigan and beyond: will anti-fraud efforts focus on optics, or on reforms that actually strengthen the safety net for the people who need it most?
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