Tampa 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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When Shonda Rhimes built Inventing Anna, the defense at its center was Todd Spodek’s - argued for the so-called fake heiress in a Manhattan courtroom long before Arian Moayed of Succession played him on screen. What 320 million hours of viewers watched is the method every client of this firm gets - including the store owner with a charge letter on the counter.
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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) manages the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, otherwise known as SNAP. If you own a grocery store or other establishment that accepts EBT payment, you're responsible for abiding by the SNAP rules. SNAP benefits are intended to help low-income families afford proper nutrition, and there are limits to what may be purchased with SNAP benefits. Sometimes, storeowners will receive a SNAP violation letter from the USDA. These violation letters require a response within 10 days. If you don't respond, your store will no longer be allowed to accept EBT cards for SNAP benefits.
What happens if I receive a SNAP violation letter?
You will have 10 days to respond to the violation. If you don't respond, the USDA can rule to ban your store from accepting EBT. In addition, the USDA can impose penalties and fines if they decide you have violated their terms of use for EBT and SNAP. Upon receiving a SNAP violation letter from the USDA, you must immediately contact a SNAP violation lawyer and have them address the issue right away. There is no time to waste when it comes to SNAP violations.
How do I protect my store from SNAP violations?
It's very important for every storeowner and their employees to understand what can be purchased under the USDA SNAP laws. Just because your store can accept EBT does not mean that everything in your store is allowed to be purchased with EBT. Things like alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and electronics are prohibited from being purchased with EBT. Allowing these purchases to be approved will be a SNAP violation, and you will receive a SNAP violation letter and subsequent legal action if you do not address the issue. The best way to avoid SNAP violation is to know and obey the laws. Your employees should be closely monitored when accepting EBT, as EBT fraud is a prevalent and highly illegal activity that can get your business in trouble. To ensure you are never in legal danger, it's best to consult with a SNAP violation lawyer well before any SNAP violation takes place. If you're about to begin accepting SNAP benefits, it may be a good idea to work with a SNAP violation lawyer beforehand to put together a plan of action should a violation occur.
Common SNAP violations
The most common SNAP violations include:
- Fraudulent use of SNAP benefits
- Using SNAP benefits for non-food items
- Submitting false information for EBT acceptance
- Accepting more EBT than other sales
- Accepting EBT from an unauthorized person
If someone at your store accepts EBT from someone other than the individual the EBT card is authorized to, your store may be in violation. If your point of service / cash register system allows the purchase of non-food or prohibited items with EBT, your store may be in violation.
How does the USDA discover SNAP violations?
EBT cards have what's called an "audit trail" for every transaction. The USDA can track all EBT use by card or by store to determine if any fraudulent or suspicious activity is taking place. SNAP violation investigation is big operation with hundreds of convictions each year. Thousands of stores have been closed or permanently disqualified from accepting EBT payments due to violations, and the USDA has collected close to $60 million in fines.
What happens if my business is convicted of a SNAP violation?
Several things can happen upon receiving a SNAP violation, including:
- Permanent disqualification from accepting SNAP benefits
- Significant monetary fines
- Multi-year jail time
Yes, SNAP violation can lead to crippling fines and jail time. This is why you need to take a SNAP violation letter very seriously. You cannot expect that the USDA or the SNAP program will give you the benefit of the doubt. And no infraction is considered minor. Using or abusing SNAP benefits in an illegal way, whether intentional or not, has very serious consequences. The moment you get a SNAP violation letter, you need to contact a snap violation attorney and have them respond to the letter immediately.
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