Welfare Recipients In THIS State Just Got Some HORRIBLE News According to recent reports, Massachusetts state officials recently voted to fund a pilot project that will test the use of fingerprints to reduce welfare fraud. The initiative was originally proposed by House Minority Leader Brad Jones, who argued that the Department of Health and Human Services could introduce the technology and potentially save millions of dollars by preventing those who do not qualify for benefits from obtaining them illegally. The action comes after a series of audits revealed that the state had released millions of dollars of questionable benefits, sometimes to either deceased persons or persons living out of state. In more than 1,000 cases, recipients were receiving benefits more than two years after their deaths. In December, another study revealed that there had been $9.5 million in fraud in 2014 from false identities or under-reporting of assets and employment status. Supporters of the measure argue that a biometrics system would help to cross-check an individuals enrollment in these programs. Those who oppose the measure feel that it would criminalize and humiliate the poor. The clause portion of the amendment budget passed in the Massachusetts House in a vote 158-0. 