El Paso SNAP Violation Attorneys.
FNS retailer cases are federal - the same charge letters, deadlines, and appeal rights apply in every state. Here is how the process works, and where counsel changes the outcome.
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If you own a grocery store that accepts EBT payments, the last thing you want arriving in the mail is a letter from the USDA notifying you of possible SNAP violations. If you receive one of these letters, chances are they will contain multiple pages describing the various alleged violations, which can be confusing at best. And to put even more pressure on retailers, USDA rules give you only ten days to respond to the letter. Because of this, it's crucial you speak with an attorney who is experienced and knowledgeable about SNAP violation cases, since the consequences to your store can be far-reaching in many ways. For example, by not responding, the federal government will suspend your store's ability to accept EBT payments, hurting both your store's bottom line as well as your reputation within the community.
About SNAP
Operated nationwide by the federal government, the SNAP program essentially took the place of the food stamp program in the 1990's. Providing families with a certain amount of money to use on food purchases each month, recipients are provided with a debit card to use at stores. However, the cards are not for general usage, and there have been instances of them being used for fraudulent cash back services. Because of this, the USDA is very stringent on SNAP regulations, and enforces them in a very strict manner.
Types of SNAP Violations
One of the most complex areas of the SNAP program is the variety of violations that can occur. Because of this, if your store is ever alleged to have had any violations occur on its premises, contacting a SNAP violation lawyer should be the first thing you do to ensure you fully understand the potential legal consequences of the charges being levied against you. Some of the most common SNAP violations include:
--Fraudulent acceptance or theft of SNAP benefits
--Accepting SNAP benefits in exchange for alcohol, tobacco, or other nonfood goods
--Submitting false information on your store's application to accept EBT benefits
--Redeeming more EBT food stamps than actual food sales
--Store employees accepting SNAP benefits from unauthorized users
Needless to say, if you receive a letter alleging your store is responsible for any of these violations, contact a SNAP violation lawyer immediately to discuss your situation.
Defenses to SNAP Violations
When you receive a SNAP violation letter, you may think all is lost. However, by contacting a SNAP violation lawyer as soon as possible, you'll discover there are many defenses to alleged SNAP violations. For example, by hiring a lawyer, they will handle all future communication with the USDA, compile evidence in your favor, and draft a response to the initial letter. If the USDA still feels you are in violation after your initial response, you will receive another letter and have 10 days to protest the decision. If this time passes, you will be unable to lodge an appeal. If you lose your appeal, your attorneys will file a Judicial Review in federal court, which will closely resemble the proceedings of a trial.
Consequences of Violations
If you are found to be guilty of SNAP violations, the consequences can be devastating to your business. To begin with, the USDA can levy fines against your store that can total tens of thousands of dollars, potentially putting you out of business. Along with this, they will attempt to determine if the store had a written compliance policy in place at the time of the allegations, as well as if you as the owner benefited from the fraud or were aware of the violations. If you are found guilty of SNAP violations, along with being fined, your store could be disqualified from accepting EBT payments for up to five years, severely impacting your business.
Contact an Attorney
Since these cases are complex and could potentially put you out of business, contact a SNAP violation lawyer immediately to discuss the allegations and the legal remedies you may have available. By doing so, you will give yourself and your business the best possible chance to prove your innocence, since you will have an attorney handling your case who understands what it takes to fight these charges and come out on top.
Facing a SNAP charge letter or disqualification? Start with our full guide: USDA SNAP Violation Lawyers for Retail Stores, or call 212-300-5196 for an attorney, 24/7.
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Spodek Law Group has defended people and businesses against the federal government since 1976. SNAP retailer matters are handled the way the firm handles every federal case: the evidence gets read before anything is filed, deadlines get calendared on day one, and clients deal with counsel - not a call center.
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212 300 5196