SNAP Benefit Increase Announcement – States Set to Receive Additional Funding

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries will soon see additional funding, and many states are ramping up efforts to combat benefit fraud. With fraud incidents rising, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has stepped in, offering financial assistance to several states.

This funding will be used to protect SNAP recipients from fraud, improve security technologies, and raise awareness about fraud prevention. Let’s break down what’s happening and what you need to know for 2024.

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In the second quarter of 2024, many states will receive additional SNAP funding aimed at reducing fraud and improving program integrity. SNAP beneficiaries receive payments through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which function much like debit cards. However, these cards are vulnerable to scams, including skimming and phishing schemes. In response, the USDA has offered grants to help states protect beneficiaries.

As of mid-2024, 67,496 claims of stolen SNAP benefits have been reported, amounting to nearly $32 million in replaced payments. In an effort to combat this, the USDA awarded $4.9 million in grants to ten states. This funding will be used for technology upgrades, training for state agencies, and educating recipients on how to avoid fraud.

States Receiving Grants:

State	Department
Illinois	Department of Human Services
Florida	Department of Children and Families
Kentucky	Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Maine	Department of Health and Human Services
Michigan	Health and Human Services
Minnesota	Department of Human Services
Mississippi	Department of Human Services
Montana	Department of Public Health and Human Services
Texas	Health and Human Services Commission
West Virginia	Department of Human Services

Each state will use the funds differently. For example, Minnesota is investing in EBT card technology to better protect recipients, while Kentucky is focusing on public education and fraud prevention training. States are also investing in staff training to catch fraudulent activity during the application process.

Preventing

Fraud prevention is critical, especially as more people rely on SNAP to meet their daily needs. The types of scams affecting EBT cards are much like those that target regular debit cards, including cloning, phishing, and skimming. Scammers often install skimming devices at point-of-sale terminals to capture card information, leading to stolen benefits.

While the USDA grants can’t be used to reimburse stolen funds directly, states are required by federal law to replace benefits lost to fraud. Therefore, if your benefits are stolen, you will eventually get them back, though the timeline may vary depending on the state.

Payment

Alongside fraud prevention efforts, SNAP payments will continue on a set schedule. Beneficiaries can expect their October payments to be distributed according to the following schedule:

State	Payment Dates
Alabama	October 4 to 23
Alaska	October 1
Arizona	October 1 to 13
Arkansas	October 4 to 13
California	October 1 to 10
Colorado	October 1 to 10
Florida	October 1 to 28
Georgia	October 5 to 23
Illinois	October 1 to 20
Michigan	October 3 to 21
Texas	October 1 to 28
Virginia	October 1 to 7

The list includes most states across the U.S., with payments distributed over different time frames depending on the region. This schedule ensures that benefits are accessible throughout the month, reducing the likelihood of system overload.

Tackling Fraud

Different states are addressing fraud in ways that meet their unique needs. For instance:

• Minnesota is installing advanced technology in EBT cards to protect beneficiaries.
• Kentucky is focusing on training agencies and retailers about fraud prevention.
• Illinois is increasing staff training to catch fraudulent applications early on.

These diverse strategies show the commitment to ensuring that benefits reach those who need them most without falling prey to fraud. Public awareness campaigns are also underway to educate recipients on how to safeguard their EBT cards.

What Does This Mean

If you’re a SNAP recipient, these efforts are good news. The extra funding will help protect your benefits, and states are working hard to ensure that you won’t lose money to scammers. However, it’s still important to stay vigilant. Always report suspicious activity on your EBT card immediately, and follow any updates your state provides regarding new security features or fraud prevention tips.

While this extra funding won’t be used for direct reimbursements of stolen benefits, the USDA remains committed to making sure vulnerable households receive the support they need. And with the Biden-Harris administration backing these efforts, SNAP recipients can feel more secure knowing that steps are being taken to safeguard their benefits.

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