Section 820 - Disqualification for Receipt of Multiple Food Stamp Benefits

Q. This section provides that if an individual is found to have made a fraudulent statement or representation with respect to identity or place of residence in order to receive multiple benefits simultaneously under the Food Stamp Program, the individual shall be ineligible for 10 years. Does the household have to actually receive multiple benefits or just attempted to receive them?

A. The act of fraud is complete when the fraudulent statement is made. Therefore, the household does not have to actually receive multiple benefits.

Q. What data bases should States use?

A. States need to have an in-State system for identifying people who make a fraudulent statement or representation with respect to the identity or place of residence of the individual to receive multiple benefits simultaneously. If a State knows of out-of-state violations, they must act on this information, but they are not required to develop a system to track out-of-state violations. We expect to eventually be able to tract these households through the DRS.

Q. Does this provision apply to administrative findings as well as court findings?

A. Yes. The State agency may make an administrative determination or a court may make a determination.

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