Your SNAP Trafficking Complaint Dismissed.

Have you been notified about United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) charges involving SNAP benefits, such as trafficking or fraud? If so, then the SNAP Specialist Attorneys at our law firm can help you.

The fact is that the number of cases has gone down significantly over the years for these types of violations. Nevertheless, accusations are still being made by the USDA against owners of grocery stores and markets who serve SNAP customers and the penalties for this category of infractions can be rather stiff.

SNAP Defined

SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that gives benefits recipients the power to utilize a predetermined monetary value in food benefits every month. They can access the benefit funds using a card-based system referred to as Electronic Benefits Transfer or EBT.

While they have some similarities, there are special limitations and marked distinctions between the SNAP program EBT cards and traditional debit cards.

• SNAP benefits that are made available through the EBT cards are not used for general purchases in the traditional fashion bank debit cards are and
• The cash-back feature that is so useful when shopping with bank debit cards is not available. SNAP funds have been issued to the recipient for food purchases only.

EBT Cards and Implementation

EBT cards succeeded the paper food stamp coupon system towards the end of the 20th century. Under the current electronic system, the benefits are disbursed to EBT cards by the SNAP recipient's state of residence.

The SNAP program and also the benefits that are associated with it come under the United States Code (7 U.S.C. Chapter 51) and the Code of Federal Regulations (7 C.F.R. §278). The benefit program is carried out, regulated and enforced by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) Agency.

Violations Most Often Charged in Connection with SNAP Benefits