What Is SNAP?
SNAP refers to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in which participants receive a monetary value for food benefits each month to buy groceries for their families. The benefits are transferred to the participants using their EBT cards. EBT stands for electronic benefits transfer. However there are some limitations on top of exceptional differences between a traditional bank card and a SNAP benefits EBT card. First, the SNAP food benefits are transferred onto a purchasing EBT card and are not able to be used for general spending in the way that many traditional bank cards are used for. When you use your EBT SNAP benefits card, you are not allowed to get cash back for funds that were not used to purchase food.
The EBT card was created in the late 1990s as a way to replace the traditional food stamps. Nowadays, eligible recipients of the SNAP program will get money disbursed to their EBT cards from the state each month for the amount they are eligible for. The SNAP program, as well as the benefits which are associated with it, are both governed by United States code and the Code of Federal Regulations. The program is fully ran, regulated and also enforced by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Food and Nutrition Service Agency.
Common Violations Associated With SNAP
Some of the more common violations involving the SNAP benefits program consist of food stamp and SNAP trafficking. This can involve trafficking which includes selling, buying, stealing or using the benefits to exchange for cash or other items which are ineligible such as cigarettes and alcohol. Additionally, a common violation also includes submitting false information to the SNAP program.
Penalties For Violations Involving SNAP Laws And Trafficking
There are three main penalties which are enforced through the USDA when trafficking has been caught by SNAP food stamp users. They are permanent disqualification, temporary disqualifications or a civil fine being imposed. Each of these penalties will be based on your ability to continue doing business and be able to keep your store open.
What Do You Do If You Receive A SNAP Violation Letter?
If your store does accept EBT cards, you may come to find one day that you receive a SNAP violation letter in the mail from the USDA. If you receive this letter, it is because you are being charged with a violation. In many cases, they will also attach a list of all transactions that they believe were done in violation to the program. In order to prevent this matter from getting worse, it is in your best interest to contact the office of a law firm who has experience in dismissing SNAP trafficking charges. Failure to get this taken care of could result in the department suspending or possibly terminating your EBT privileges for your store.
How Law Firms Handle SNAP Violation Letters
A criminal law firm which has experience in taking care of the violation letters charged against their clients will be your best bet in getting the situation resolved. There are typically three phases to go through with regards to SNAP violation. The first will be the charging letter. The lawyer’s role during phase one will involve taking the responsibility for all future communication with the USDA. The second phase is the administrative appeal. This will be the response from the USDA after they responded to the store’s original reply to the SNAP violation letter. This letter will generally detail the USDAs decision on whether or not they will disqualify or suspend your store based on the named allegations spelled out in the original letter. The last phase is the appeal. If we are not able to get the USDA to drop their decision, the next step is to file a judicial review of the case which will take place in a local Federal District Court.