Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program fraud in Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri amounted to almost $5 million in the first three months of 2024.
SNAP food benefits are offered through Electronic Benefits Transfer cards. These function in a similar way to debit cards and are loaded with money that low-income individuals can use at various stores across the country. These cards can be subject to scams, such as phishing or cloning.
When SNAP fraud occurs, the state reimburses the intended recipient of the benefits so they can buy the food they need.
Data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture showed that in the first three months of the year, Illinois approved 7,372 out of 7,461 claims for stolen benefits and replaced $3.5 million worth of stolen benefits. Newsweek has contacted the USDA for comment via its website.
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SNAP fraud claims filed in Illinois made up 8.72 percent of claims made nationwide. Texas and Maryland also reported high levels of SNAP fraud.
Kentucky had a repayment bill of $641,595, compared to $565,220 in Tennessee and $224,077 in Missouri.
Of the four states, Illinois had the highest approval rate, 99 percent, for SNAP benefits fraud claims. Missouri had an approval rating of 93 percent, while Tennessee’s was 69 percent and Kentucky’s was 68 percent.
Overall, the value of the replaced benefits across the country in the first quarter of the year was more than $31 million. Following the approval of stolen benefits claims, 176,580 fraudulent transactions for the first quarter of 2024 have been identified.
The state with the greatest number of reported frauds and the highest reimbursement bill was New York. Claims submitted in New York made up 40 percent of claims nationwide, and the state was hit with a reimbursement bill of more than $11 million in the first quarter. This was for 24,447 approved stolen benefits claims.
California, Oklahoma, Alabama and Hawaii have not yet released any data on the SNAP fraud rates in their states this year.
To protect against SNAP fraud, the USDA recommends:
- Avoiding using simple PINs such as 1111 or 1234
- Keeping your PIN and card number secret
- Changing your PIN regularly
- Being aware of phishing and the fact that state agencies or EBT processors will never call you
- Checking your EBT account regularly for unauthorized charges
- Contacting your local SNAP office if you think you have been a victim of SNAP fraud
The penalties for SNAP fraud include temporary or permanent disqualification from SNAP, the repayment of stolen benefits or criminal charges and prosecution that may result in fines or prison time.