The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is currently accepting public comments on a proposed rule change for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Currently those who receive assistance through a state program funded through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grants may be automatically enrolled in SNAP.

The USDA is proposing that the eligibility requirements be refined by moving away from the automatic enrollment process. The department shares that this would “address program integrity issues.” The department says the current system enables people who receive minimal benefits from TANF to be eligible for SNAP without any further checks into their income or assets.

The USDA estimates this change could lead to 3.1 million Americans losing SNAP benefits.

In Michigan, nearly one in seven Michigan residents receives SNAP benefits but state officials say it’s too early to know how many recipients could be affected by the proposed change.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) told WILX-TV that there are already safeguards in place to prevent fraud through what some say is a “loophole” in the system.

"I don't think I would call this a loophole. We do have programs in place to find fraud when there's any fraud occurring with the food assistance program or other programs," Bob Wheaton, public information officer, MDHHS said.

Wheaton told CMF that of the more than 1.2 million people who receive food assistance in Michigan, 2018 investigations showed approximately .3 percent of recipients were linked to fraud.

“Instead of supporting work, this proposal punishes full-time earners. Instead of targeting fraud and abuse, this proposal goes after families playing by all the rules. It is a radical break from a long-standing, bipartisan approach to food assistance,” Robert Gordon, director of MDHHS said.

The Food Bank Council of Michigan has spoken out against the proposed change.

"Based on available data, we believe individuals and families with incomes very close to the poverty threshold, a measure that is already inaccurate and outdated, would be particularly hard hit by this proposed rule,” Kait Skwir, deputy director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan told CMF. “The proposed rule would impact their ability to save and work towards self-sufficiency; the rule is essentially a disincentive for work. This rule would make it harder for families with children to access the school meal program, a program that can have lasting, positive impacts on a child’s lifetime achievements."

The USDA is accepting comments online through September 23.