A major federal audit has revealed that government mismanagement during the pandemic led to thousands of loans being granted to ineligible recipients. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) confirmed that 5,593 loans totaling $312 million were approved for applicants younger than 12 years old.
The loans, issued under the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) pandemic relief programs, were all found to have been processed using incorrect Social Security numbers. DOGE officials stated that the scale of these mismatches indicates widespread fraud, as children do not typically own or operate small businesses.
Further investigation revealed that another $333 million in loans was distributed to individuals listed as being at least 115 years old. One applicant recorded as 157 years old received a $36,000 loan, despite their age making them ineligible for any type of business relief assistance.
Hellbound and Down 