A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation last week aimed at protecting vulnerable families from losing essential food assistance benefits to criminal skimming operations. U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY-06), and Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY-17) announced the introduction of the “Fairness for Victims of SNAP Skimming Act.”
The bill seeks to provide a permanent solution allowing state Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) agencies to reimburse recipients whose benefits are stolen through skimming or other fraudulent methods.
“SNAP is a critical lifeline for millions of Pennsylvanians. It is despicable that thieves are targeting hungry families, literally taking food from a baby’s mouth,” said Senator Fetterman. “We can’t let vulnerable children go hungry because of these criminals. I’m committed to doing everything in my power to protect and extend SNAP benefits. We need to make sure American families get fed – this bill is a critical step in doing just that.”
Skimming is a form of fraud where illegal devices are attached to card processing machines to steal card and personal identification number (PIN) information. Criminals use this stolen data to access EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) accounts and drain SNAP and cash benefits. Thousands of Americans have lost millions of dollars in benefits to this scam since mid-2022.
Congresswoman Meng highlighted the impact of this crime in her district. “SNAP is a lifeline for thousands of New Yorkers. Stealing these benefits from hungry families is unconscionable,” said Congresswoman Meng. “That’s why I have fought to help over nearly 85,000 New Yorkers recover more than $39.9 million in SNAP benefits. However, beneficiaries in Queens and communities across the country continue to be targeted by scammers looking to steal their benefits.”
A temporary provision had previously allowed states to replace benefits stolen between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2024. However, this authority lapsed late last year, leaving victims with limited recourse and preventing states from using federal funds for replacement. The previous provision also capped replacement amounts at either the full amount stolen or two months of benefits, whichever was less.
The “Fairness for Victims of SNAP Skimming Act” would permanently extend the authority for state agencies to replace stolen benefits. Crucially, it would also lift the current cap on repayment, allowing victims to be reimbursed for the full amount stolen.
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“No family in America should go hungry because criminals are stealing their SNAP benefits through skimming,” said Congressman Lawler. “This bipartisan bill will give states the tools needed to make victims whole and ensures tax dollars support hardworking families, not thieves. I’m proud to work with Senators Fetterman and Gillibrand to introduce this common-sense solution.”
Senator Fetterman introduced the bill in the Senate alongside Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Peter Welch (D-VT).
The legislation aims to ensure that families relying on SNAP to put food on the table are not penalized for the actions of criminals and can recover their essential benefits if they fall victim to skimming or other fraud.
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