States have different requirements for benefits program

Examiner Coverage

Maryland, Virginia at top of nation for food stamp fraud (11-30-11)

In Maryland and Virginia, roughly 11 percent of the population receives an average $130 monthly payment from the government to help pay for groceries this year.

Maryland gave out nearly $1 billion in food stamp benefits to 645,349 people in fiscal 2011, while Virginia distributed $1.3 billion among 841,299 recipients.