Are you looking for a SNAP Violation Attorney or expert to help you handle your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Violation Cases in the US? Tax Relief R Us stands in to help you with everything, from SNAP compliance to judicial appeals, SNAP suspensions, disqualifications, and more.
Don’t wait for tomorrow; take action today to save your business from losing permanent access to EBT transactions. We can help you create a strong defense against the fraud allegations against your store.
We understand that you may not be aware of SNAP. This web page is dedicated to enlightening you on SNAP and everything you need to know as a store owner.
The federal government introduced the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the late 1990s as a replacement for the Food Stamp Program. SNAP participants are provided with a specific amount of benefits per month for the purchase of food items.
Eligible individuals are provided with an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card dedicated to the food payment. Specified rules govern how the EBT cards may be used in retail stores. Any violation of these rules by any grocery store, retail store, gas station, convenience store, or other locations where cards are used is regarded as a SNAP violation called a ‘food stamp fraud.’
EBT cards have similar functionalities to a typical debit card; however, they have a few extra differentiating features.
Some of the features of the EBT include:
SNAP benefits on an EBT are not to be used for general use and other types of spending.
SNAP benefits may not be used for cashback purposes.
NOTE
An eligible EBT cardholder feeding a family of four may get up to $632 per month in benefits.
A person may receive about $189 worth of benefits per month.
These amounts are dependent on the household’s income, the number of people in the household, and other specific circumstances.
The US Code and the Code of Federal regulations have outlined rules that govern the use of EBT cards and retail food stores. These rules are enforced by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), a division of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Most times, food retailers adhere to these rules and guidelines. However, when a store is discovered to have committed a food stamp fraud in rare cases, the FNS sends a SNAP violation letter to the retailer.
In other words, “A SNAP Violation Letter is a letter sent to a retail food store, by the Food and Nutrition Service, when the store is found to have committed a food stamp fraud.”
If your store receives a food stamp investigation letter, you have only about ten days to respond. If your store fails to respond within the specified timeframe, your store’s eligibility to accept EBT may be suspended or terminated entirely.
When you receive the SNAP violation letter, it’s recommended that you reach out to an experienced SNAP violation attorney immediately. Your SNAP attorney can contact the FNS and any other government entity in your name and protect your status as a SNAP funds receiver.
Usually, a retailer might not know that they have violated SNAP rules, especially when an employee violates the system behind the scenes.
NOTE that SNAP is a federal program implemented by each state, and all violations are determined by the state in which the violations occur.
Retail owners often ask, ‘What is regarded as a SNAP or Food Stamp Fraud?’
A SNAP Fraud can occur due to one or more of the following reasons;
These are transactions that are fraudulently accepted. When it comes to SNAP violations, trafficking refers to the intentional or unintentional stealing of these deferral benefits.
An unqualified purchase is the second thing that can be considered a Food Stamp Fraud. The only qualified purchases you can make through a SNAP EBT card are purchases of food and non-alcoholic drinks consumed at home after purchase from the retail store. Any purchase besides these is regarded as unqualified purchases. Examples of unqualified purchases include the purchase of medicine and vitamins, hot food consumed in the store, tobacco, pet food, alcohol, household supplies, and other non-food items.
Inaccurate coupon accounting occurs when coupon redemptions of the retail store are higher in dollar value than the dollar value equivalent of the food sold during a period.
Falsified SNAP Application violation refers to an intentional submission of false information on the retail store’s EBT benefits application to the Food and Nutrition Service.
This problem can occur when an employee of a retail store accepts SNAP benefits from an individual that is not entitled or authorized to enjoy the benefits of SNAP.
This SNAP violation happens when a retail store returns a favor through a creditor tab to a customer in exchange for the use of their EBT card.
Sometimes, a store might be disqualified from participating in the WIC program by the USDA. When this happens, the store is disqualified from receiving EBT card transactions.
NOTE that there are situations where the retail store owner or employee has no idea that their action is a SNAP violation and is illegal. It’s crucial to consult with a SNAP attorney to help you review your specific situation to ensure your rights are protected throughout the investigation process.
Don’t let fraud charges affect your business. Tax Relief R Us SNAP attorneys can help you navigate the investigations successfully.
If you receive a SNAP fraud letter for your retail store, that might mean that an investigation has taken place. However, you have the chance to respond and be a part of the ongoing investigation for SNAP fraud. Your primary contact in a situation like this is the FNS.
The investigation begins with a complaint or a review of your records if there is an indication of consistency. The FNS likely has little to no information about your activities, which is why it’s crucial for you to request information from the FNS and so you can be a part of the investigation and support your case.
This situation is where a SNAP attorney comes in.
A Food Stamp Fraud lawyer can help you through the investigation to protect your interest.
There are food stamp fraud penalties that the USDA has the authority to enforce. These penalties for SNAP violations include, but are not limited to:
A civil fine (referred to as a Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP))
Suspended access to the EBT terminal
Permanent Disqualification
These penalties negatively affect your business in more ways than you can imagine.
The USDA has the authority to enforce a civil fine against you if you’re found guilty of committing SNAP fraud or food stamp fraud, especially in the form of trafficking. Your fine is based on the number of alleged offenses, the allegations’ gravity, and the transaction volume. A fine can cost you tens of thousands of dollars and affects your ability to stay in business. If you have an existing compliance program, the USDA will likely enforce this fine. If not, you may face suspension or disqualification from EBT card transactions.
When you work with a professional SNAP violation attorney, the lawyer can help you negotiate the fine with the FNS and save you the stress and financial burden.
A temporary suspension of your EBT transactions access also has a substantial negative impact on your business revenue. A disqualification has the potential to end your business and make you go bankrupt, especially if you’re a grocery or convenience store. The USDA has the Federal Regulations authority to issue temporary disqualifications that can range from 6 months to 5 years, depending on the gravity of your violation and the evidence against you.
If your store has SNAP violations in the past, the USDA will likely impose a more extended disqualification period.
When you get a food stamp suspension, contact a SNAP violation attorney immediately to help you review your situation and work with the FNS to reduce the length of your suspension period.
Disqualifications happen in severe cases of food stamp fraud. When this happens, you may receive a permanent SNAP retailer disqualification, which stops you from receiving revenue via EBT card transactions. This issue is vast and can affect your business heavily because most retail stores’ yearly revenue can be due to EBT transactions.
The offenses that could lead to permanent disqualification include:
When the owner, manager, or employee(s) knowingly provide false information on a SNAP program application or when requested
When the owner, manager, or employee(s) knowingly participate in EBT trafficking.
Disqualification is something you don’t want to experience because it could mean the end of your business, which is why you should be sure to remain in compliance and prevent SNAP violations. It’s vital you consult with a food stamp lawyer to help protect your retail food business’s future.
Don’t let fraud charges affect your business. Tax Relief R Us SNAP attorneys can help you navigate the investigations successfully.
Most penalties for food stamp fraud are administrative penalties through the USDA. However, in rare cases, criminal charges are possible. Note that SNAP fraud is a federal crime because SNAP benefits are managed through a federal government agency. Unlike crimes based on state law and handled in state courts, federal crimes like SNAP violations are handled in federal court with federal prosecutors and judges.
Penalties can indeed be more significant in federal crimes, and if you’re convicted of a federal crime, you’re likely to face time in a federal prison instead of local jails or state prisons. You may also face significant criminal fines and other penalties separate from the usual USDA administrative penalties in notable cases.
NOTE
There are different crimes that you may be charged with for SNAP fraud.
If the amount of fraud is below $100, then the crime is regarded and charged as a misdemeanor.
If the fraud amount is above $100, then the crime is regarded and charged as a felony.
Most cases of SNAP fraud are felonies.
Multiple people may be charged from one retail business that committed food stamp fraud.
Tax Relief R Us represents clients involved in SNAP violation cases across the country. If you’re facing SNAP violation issues, don’t panic; contact us. Our experts can help you navigate the situation and get the best results.
Is your store facing potential or existing Food Stamp/SNAP fraud cases involving judicial appeals, compliance, suspensions, and disqualifications?
Tax Relief R Us is the people to contact. Our attorneys are here to help you fight for your business and your source of revenue.
We serve Jackson Heights, and the surrounding New York area. Call us at (844) 829-2292 or contact us.