WASHINGTON, D.C.– Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger is leading a bipartisan effort to extend critical protections to victims of food stamp theft that are set to expire at the end of September without further action. Today, Congressman Ruppersberger, along with Representatives Kweisi Mfume (D-Maryland), Mike Lawler (R-New York), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Oregon), James P. McGovern (D-Massachusetts), Dan Goldman (D-New York), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania), Anthony D’Esposito (R-New York), Marc Molinaro (R-New York), Brittany Pettersen (D-Colorado) and Grace Meng (D-New York) sent a letter to Congressional leadership urging them to include a provision in a forthcoming stop-gap funding bill that would allow victims to continue to be reimbursed from federal and state coffers.
Currently, states are required to replace stolen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits under a measure included in the 2023 omnibus funding bill passed by Congress at the end of 2022. The measure was adopted in response to a massive uptick of theft in which perpetrators use skimming devices to steal SNAP benefits distributed on electronic debit cards (EBT).
The provision applied to benefits stolen from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2024.
“The issue is clear: federal SNAP beneficiaries around the country continue to be targeted and benefits are being stolen at record levels,”the lawmakers wrote in their letter, which can be viewed here. “This vital extension will continue to protect victims of SNAP benefit theft—including veterans, families, low-income workers, children, the elderly and the disabled—while Congress continues to work with state agencies, FNS and EBT vendors to improve card security and modernize the SNAP’s EBT system. We strongly urge Congress to take immediate action in the upcoming short-term Continuing Resolution to make whole the victims of SNAP benefit theft by extending the 2023 omnibus provision that provides for the replacement of stolen EBT benefits.”
The lawmakers emphasized the dramatic impact the reimbursem*nt program has had already: more than 125,000 households have been reimbursed since October 2022 , not counting some of the hardest-hit states who have not reported the full impact.
“I am pleased that protecting the households that rely on SNAP has been taken up as a bipartisan issue that affects all 50 states and territories,”said Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07).“It is appalling that Americans are being targeted at record rates in major SNAP benefit theft. These sickening crimes are carried out against veterans, families, low-income workers, children, the elderly, and the disabled – all of whom are just trying to put food on their table. This letter represents our unified effort, across the political aisle, to bring justice to victims in all our respective Congressional Districts,” he concluded.
“This is a common sense solution that ensures tax dollars are used for their intended purpose and that American families do not lose their primary source of healthy foods,”Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02)said. “No family should ever have to worry about how they will put their next meal on the table.”
“There is nothing more horrendous than scamming the most vulnerable,” saidCongressman Mike Lawler (NY-17). “Yet with SNAP benefits being stolen in record numbers, that’s exactly what is happening. It’s crucial that Congress reauthorize the funding that has enabled over 125,000 legitimate SNAP beneficiaries who have had their benefits stolen to be made whole.”
“Hungry families rely on SNAP to put food on the table. But when that money gets stolen by thieves, SNAP beneficiaries are left wondering where their next meal is coming from. That’s why I fought hard alongside advocates in Massachusetts and with my colleagues in Congress to establish a process for replacing those benefits,” saidCongressman Jim McGovern (MA-02),Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee. “We can’t let this critical program expire, which is why I amjoining with bipartisan Members of Congress in calling upon leaders to include an extension of the law in upcoming government funding legislation. Families across this country must know we will have their backs when their food benefits are stolen through no fault of their own.”
“At a time when millions of families rely on SNAP to put food on the table, especially as grocery prices remain elevated, we must ensure victims of benefit theft are made whole and don’t go hungry,”Congresswoman Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) said.“I’m proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to push for an extension of this critical protection for victims of SNAP theft.”
“Thousands of Bucks and Montgomery County residents depend on SNAP to put food on their tables. This common-sense reimbursem*nt provision is essential to safeguarding the integrity of the SNAP program and ensuring that families in my community and nationwide who have fallen victim to SNAP theft can quickly recover their benefits. It is incumbent upon us to protect our most vulnerable so that they can continue to access the healthy food they need,” saidCongressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1).
“Families and individuals experiencing the greatest needs rely on SNAP to put food on the table each day. Stealing these vital benefits and forcing people to possibly go hungry is unconscionable,” saidCongresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06),a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. “I fought to help over 36,000 New Yorkers recover more than $17.5 million in stolen SNAP benefits. Unfortunately, SNAP beneficiaries in Queens and across the country continue to be targeted by these scams. That’s why my colleagues and I are urging Congressional leadership to include this bipartisan provision in the upcoming government funding bill, allowing these reimbursem*nts for victims of fraud to continue. We cannot leave vulnerable families and individuals behind and let this program expire.”
“Hardworking Americans who rely on SNAP should never be forced to endure food insecurity as a result of their benefits being stolen by scammers,” saidCongressman Anthony D’Esposito (NY-04). “I will continue working with colleagues from both sides of the aisle to combat illegal EBT card skimming and enhance safeguards for SNAP fraud victims.”
"SNAP benefits assist our country’s most vulnerable citizens. It’s crucial that we protect these benefits when bad actors take advantage of eligible families,”said Congressman Marc Molinaro (NY-19). I’m proud to join the bipartisan push to safeguard SNAP benefits."
"For the nearly three million New Yorkers who rely on SNAP, the inability to recover stolen benefits could mean the difference between putting food on the table and going hungry,"Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10)said."It helps everyone when state SNAP agencies are allowed to make victims of EBT skimming and other theft whole. We owe it to working families everywhere to ensure this commonsense measure is extended as a part of this year's budget process."
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