UMVA has learned that a recent survey reveals a complex and nuanced public perception of welfare fraud in the United States, with a vast majority of voters expressing concern about program abuse, yet also emphasizing the need to protect access for legitimate recipients.
The survey found that 71% of registered voters believe that fraud in government welfare and social service programs is extremely or very common, with nearly half, 45%, thinking that it has increased over the past two years. Only 19% of voters believe that fraud has decreased, while 35% think it has stayed the same.
When weighing enforcement against access, voters prioritize eligible recipients, with 56% saying that ensuring benefits for eligible people should be the higher priority, even if some fraud occurs. In contrast, 43% prioritize fraud prevention, even if some eligible people lose benefits.
The survey also revealed a striking bipartisan consensus on the existence of welfare fraud, with Democrats, Republicans, and independents agreeing that fraud is common and has increased in recent years. However, beyond that, partisan divisions become much sharper, with majorities of Democrats more likely to blame organizations and contractors for fraud and to prioritize ensuring eligible people receive benefits.
Republicans, on the other hand, are more likely to blame individuals who misrepresent eligibility and favor stronger fraud prevention measures. Independents are split on whether individuals or contractors are more responsible for fraud, but more prioritize access to benefits than fraud prevention.
In terms of confidence in government agencies to prevent fraud, voters trust their state governments more than the federal government, with 60% expressing a great deal or some confidence in their state government's ability to prevent fraud, compared to 51% for the federal government.
The survey also found that voters are divided on who bears more responsibility for fraud, with 50% blaming individuals misrepresenting eligibility and 50% blaming organizations and contractors misrepresenting costs.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Congressional approval ratings remain low, with only 3 in 10 voters approving of the job Congressional Democrats and Republicans are doing. Approval for Congressional Democrats is up 1 point since February, while support for Congressional Republicans has fallen 5 points.
Voters are also concerned about redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterms, with 6 in 10 voters expressing extreme or very concern. More Democrats than Republicans are concerned, with 71% of Democrats versus 51% of Republicans expressing concern.
The survey also found that voters are divided on the issue of expanding the Supreme Court, with 45% favoring the idea and 55% opposing it. Support is unchanged from 2022 and up from a 35% low in 2021.
