SNAP fraud is a federal offense that undermines a vital lifeline for millions of Americans. The most frequent schemes include trafficking SNAP benefits for cash, lying about income or household composition on applications, and unauthorized retailers participating in the program. These violations are aggressively prosecuted, with penalties ranging from administrative disqualification to hefty fines and prison time. What sets SNAP fraud apart from simple error or accidental overpayment is intentional deception – parties deliberately manipulate eligibility, transfer benefits for illicit gain, or exploit systemic gaps to profit unlawfully.

Common Examples of SNAP Fraud:

SNAP fraud involves a diverse array of illegal tactics, perpetrated by both program recipients and retailers, which directly threaten the integrity of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

While federal authorities see wide-ranging schemes, the most common include:

• Benefit tracking: Trading or selling SNAP benefits for cash, firearms, drugs, or other non-food items.
• Application fraud: Falsifying identity, residence, or income to receive benefits, or claiming benefits in multiple states simultaneously.
• Retailer fraud: Authorized retailers exchanging benefits for cash or unauthorized goods, or previously banned retailers reapplying with false information.

Card skimming or theft: Stealing EBT card data and using it to access SNAP funds illicitly.

Penalties for SNAP Fraud

As SNAP fraud schemes threaten the integrity of the program, convictions can result in serious penalties, including:

• Disqualification: 12 months for the first offense, 24 months for the second, and permanent loss for a third.
• Felony charges: Selling more than $500 in benefits, trafficking for guns or explosives, or repeated violations result in permanent disqualification and potential imprisonment up to 25 years.
• Fines: Criminal penalties may reach $250,000 per conviction, with required repayment of any illicitly obtained benefits.
• Administrative action: Repayment of overpaid amounts, loss of benefits, and exclusion from other federal assistance programs.

Sigal Law Group's Defense Approach to Accusations of SNAP Fraud

To ensure you are not being subjected to unnecessary penalties, the Sigal Law Group's experienced criminal attorneys will scrutinize the prosecution's evidence and contest the allegations of intent or willful fraud they've made against you. Additionally, our attorneys will work tirelessly to demonstrate eligibility, honesty, procedural errors, or lack of unlawful intent, and negotiate with the authorities for reduced charges, penalty mitigation, or program reinstatement.

Facing SNAP fraud accusations is daunting. The Sigal Law Group can help. Contact our offices today for a free consultation.