Veneman Announces End To Paper Food Stamp Coupons.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman today announced that all food stamps would be delivered through the electronic benefit transfer system by September 2004. Conservative critics have often criticized fraud in the food stamp program. But U.S. Department of Agriculture officials and anti-hunger activists have said that the electronic benefit system has contributed greatly to reducing fraud in the program, which is estimated to pay out $20 billion in benefits in 2003.