HIRE PEOPLE.
Drug testing would likely be tossed by the courts; FL is engaged in that debate now. No benefits for felons will make them even more apt to commit crime to survive.
Stiffer sentences for fraud? Fines? They've no money for that. Jail time? Great! You've solved their food, housing, health care and other problems at tax payer's expense and now these felon'll have no benefits when they're out and return to a life of crime to survive. Genius!
Mailing checks for tax refunds won't stop fraud. Electronic payments are efficient and low cost, and you'll explode the size of government if you require face-to-face for benefits.
The only helpful suggestion I see if regarding computer screening; yet as I said the BEST "How to Help" is employment. And I don't want to hear about burger flipping jobs, they have to be jobs that someone can feed and house themselves with.
You just toss out my first criterion and then use volume to discount the rest.
Toss drug testing back in (they elect judges, don't they) and see the numbers plummet.
We must not allow ourselves to be blackmailed by felons - you do a crime, you get no dime, period.
Face-to-face is why churches are better at charity than government.