The Texas Health and Human Services Department (HHS) has announced the launch of a new biometric verification system for beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The initiative aims to reduce fraud and misuse of EBT cards by introducing facial recognition and fingerprint verification technologies.
A Pilot Program with National Potential
The pilot phase will begin in November 2025 in several Texas cities, with a statewide rollout expected in 2026. If successful, the system could be expanded to other states as part of a national effort to modernize security within the SNAP program.
Goal: Reducing Fraud
State officials claim the technology will verify user identity in real time during transactions, helping to prevent the use of stolen, cloned, or illegally shared EBT cards. The biometric system will gradually be integrated into ATMs and point-of-sale terminals that accept SNAP benefits.
Privacy and Equity Concerns
However, the measure has raised concerns among civil rights advocates, who warn that facial recognition errors could lead to wrongful suspensions of benefits. There are also worries that elderly or disabled recipients may face technical challenges in completing biometric verification.
Next Steps
During the initial rollout, the program will remain voluntary while data is collected on its accuracy and reliability. Later, it could become mandatory for new SNAP applications and recertifications across the state.
The Texas initiative marks a major technological shift in how SNAP benefits are managed and may serve as a model for potential federal adoption in the future.