The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps millions of Americans who need extra money to buy groceries. According to the USDA, 98% of SNAP households qualify for the help they get, and fraud is rare.1
But there are some times when people take advantage of the program. Here we cover when you shold file a complaint and how to do so.
SNAP Discrimination
SNAP discrimination is when someone’s application, benefits amount, or ability to use their benefits is hurt due to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital/familial status, disability, or English-speaking skills.
Has this happened to you? If so, you may be have experienced SNAP discrimination. SNAP does not tolerate discrimination of any kind, so it is important to report such acts.
How do I file a SNAP discrimination complaint?
Follow the steps below:
- Complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form. You can do this online, or you can print the form, fill it out by hand, and mail it in. You may also request a copy of the form by calling 866-632-9992.
- If you filled out a paper form, mail it to:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
You can also fax it to 833-265-1665 or email it to program.intake@usda.gov. If you need help completing the form or filing your complaint, call any of the telephone numbers listed on the form or contact your local SNAP agency.
SNAP Benefits Trafficking
This refers to the trading of SNAP benefits for cash. It is a criminal offense, and those who do it can get in serious trouble. Both people and retailers can take part in SNAP trafficking, and there are many ways to do it, such as:
- Using a SNAP benefits EBT card and getting cash back at the register.
- Buying food or other eligible items with an EBT card and then reselling those items or trading them for cash at a retail store.
- Buying, selling, or stealing an EBT card.
- Using an EBT card to buy items that have a bottle or can deposit and then dumping the contents in order to return the containers for cash.
Once in a while, improper payments can happen. These are not seen as trafficking or fraud. The USDA works closely with stores to prevent this problem.
How do I file a SNAP benefits trafficking complaint?
What counts as SNAP benefits trafficking changes over time, so be sure to check if the activity is against the rules on the latest list. If you do think a person or retailer is trafficking, contact the Office of the Inspector General one of the following ways:
- Online
- By phone at 800-424-9121
- Using TDD at 202-690-1202
- By fax at 202-690-2474
- Through the U.S. mail at:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Inspector General
P.O. Box 23399
Washington, D.C. 20026-3399
You can file your SNAP complaint anonymously, so no one will know your name. Or you can file it confidentially, so only Office of the Inspector General staff will know your name.
When filing a SNAP benefits trafficking complaint, you should be ready to provide as many details as possible. Learn more here.
SNAP Retailer Fraud
To be able to accept SNAP benefits, a store must stock at least 3 different types of foods under each of the 4 staple food categories (foods we eat most often). If they do not, then 50% or more of their gross sales must come from items in 1 or more of the staple food categories.
Most SNAP retailers follow these rules, but fraud does happen. Stores that commit SNAP fraud usually do so by turning in false information on their applications.
How do I file a SNAP retailer fraud complaint?
If you think a local retailer may be guilty of SNAP fraud, you can either:
- Report it to the Office of the Inspector General using one of the means listed under SNAP Benefits Trafficking above; or
- Report it to your state.
Other SNAP Complaints
Benefits determination errors
Most of the time, the amount of SNAP dollars you qualify for is correct. But mistakes do happen, and your situation can change. If you are unhappy with your SNAP benefit amount, you should first contact your local agency to ask for help.
If the agency tells you your benefit amount is correct, but you still feel it is wrong, you can ask for an appeals hearing. The hearing process differs by state, but it usually involves these steps:
- On your SNAP verification letter, find the section titled “I want to appeal” and write “I disagree with this decision.” Sign it, date it, and bring or send it to your local SNAP office.
- Call your SNAP caseworker to let them know you want to file an appeal. Then e-mail or mail a note to your caseworker. You do not need to use an official form. Just type or write a letter.
Within a few weeks, you should get a notice from your state that includes more details about your hearing.
Many states have strict appeal deadlines, so make sure you ask about deadlines and stick to them. You have the right to ask a trusted family member, friend, social worker, or other advocate to help you file a SNAP appeal. You can also bring them to your hearing.
Caseworker problems
Most SNAP caseworkers have your best interest at heart. But you have the right to take action if you feel your caseworker has:
- Handled your case unfairly
- Treated you disrespectfully
- Discriminated against you
- Made a big mistake they will not fix
If you have a complaint against a SNAP caseworker, ask to speak to their manager. If the manager does not fix the issue, you can request a hearing. At the hearing, a third party will listen to your complaint, review the facts, and work to solve the issue.
To request a hearing, you can visit, call, or email your local SNAP office. If you are not sure what to do, you can talk to a BenefitsCheckUp support specialist through our website's chat feature or by calling our hotline at 800-794-6559. You may also find talking to a benefits enrollment specialist helpful.
Source
1. USDA Food and Nutrition Service. “How FNS Fights SNAP Fraud, Waste, and Abuse.” Found on the internet at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/fraud