WASHINGTON, December 17, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) can now quickly sanction and, when necessary, remove retailers from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for engaging in fraudulent activity. This comes as a result of a cooperative agreement with USDA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG).

“This interagency agreement with the Inspector General is an important step forward that allows us to take action against the truly bad actors in nearly half the time,” said USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Brandon Lipps. “USDA will not tolerate retailers abusing this vital program that helps millions of Americans put food on the table.”

“USDA-OIG conducts exhaustive financial investigations of retail food stores suspected of exchanging Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for U.S. currency or other things of value, oftentimes resulting in criminal prosecution of store owners and/or employees,” said USDA-OIG Acting Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Peter P. Paradis, Sr. “When FNS levies administrative action to ensure store owners who violate SNAP rules and regulations can no longer participate in the program, our agencies illustrate that even though our missions differ, this interagency agreement serves to ensure we succeed collectively when we work together to protect the interests of the U.S. Government.”

Background

The FNS/OIG memorandum of understanding finalized last year streamlined the administrative action process for sanctioning SNAP retailers – which previously could drag on for years – by improving communication and accountability between the Inspector General and FNS’ Office of Retailer Operations and Compliance. The vast majority of sanctions are related to SNAP trafficking – the illegal exchange of SNAP benefits for cash.

This interagency cooperation has sharply reduced the time spent determining whether FNS could take action against SNAP retailers who abuse program rules and allow taxpayer dollars to be used illegally. In Fiscal Year 2018, the year prior to the interagency agreement, sanctions and administrative actions took an average of 231 days to implement. Since then, turnaround time has been reduced to 121 days, a reduction of nearly 48%.

The agreement also improved accountability. In line with the agreement, agency representatives now meet twice a year to track and reconcile active cases each agency is working on to ensure that wayward retailers are not overlooked. During the July 2020 update meeting, for example, the OIG returned 30 cases to FNS for administrative action. Of these, FNS has since permanently disqualified four retailers that had collectively redeemed more than $9.9 million in SNAP benefits pending administrative action from FNS.

All told, in Fiscal Year 2020, FNS implemented 1,959 administrative sanction actions against SNAP retailers. These actions stem from findings of program violations and include 1,040 retailers being permanently disqualified for trafficking.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that leverage American agricultural abundance to ensure children and low-income individuals and families have nutritious food to eat. FNS also co-develops the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which provide science-based nutrition recommendations and serve as the cornerstone of federal nutrition policy.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

BOSTON, MA, January 11, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) recently announced it has taken action against retailers suspected of violating USDA rules for accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Today, FNS is announcing it has notified 42 retailers in the Buffalo, NY area that they have violated SNAP regulations and is initiating action to revoke the authorization for these retailers to accept SNAP benefits. Twenty-three stores are charged with trafficking, five of which have been permanently disqualified from accepting SNAP. The remainder are awaiting final resolution. Nineteen stores are charged with selling ineligible items which could lead to a six-month disqualification if FNS findings are upheld. After all due process has been completed, FNS will provide a follow up release with additional and updated information, including the names of retailers disqualified from the program.

USDA monitors SNAP purchases at retail food stores suspected of violating program rules and regulations, including the exchange of SNAP benefits for U.S. currency or other things of value, also known as trafficking, and allowing the purchase of ineligible items. After concluding positive investigations, USDA takes administrative action to ensure store owners who violate SNAP rules and regulations can no longer participate in the program.

“USDA will not tolerate retailers abusing this vital program that helps millions of Americans put food on the table,” said USDA Food & Nutrition Service Administrator Pam Miller. “Today, we are taking appropriate action against these retailers to ensure they will no longer be able to violate program rules and regulations.”

Retailer fraud can be reported via the USDA hotline at (800) 424-9121, online or via email at SNAPRetailerComplaints@usda.gov.

Background

All told, in Fiscal Year 2020, FNS implemented 1,959 administrative sanction actions against SNAP retailers. These actions stem from findings of program violations and include 1,040 retailers being permanently disqualified for trafficking.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that leverage American agricultural abundance to ensure children and low-income individuals and families have nutritious food to eat. FNS also co-develops the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which provide science-based nutrition recommendations and serve as the cornerstone of federal nutrition policy.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

BOSTON, MA, February 16, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced it has taken action against 59 Brooklyn, NY, retailers suspected of violating USDA rules for accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that leverage American agricultural abundance to ensure children and low-income individuals and families have nutritious food to eat. The majority of participating SNAP stores are compliant with FNS rules and regulations. Additionally, the rate of trafficking among stores, which is the exchange of SNAP benefits for U.S. currency or other things of value, is about 1.6%.

However, today, FNS is announcing it has notified 59 retailers in Brooklyn, NY, that they have violated SNAP regulations and is initiating action to revoke the authorization for these retailers to accept SNAP benefits. Thirty-five stores are charged with trafficking. Twenty-four stores are charged with selling ineligible items which could lead to a six-month disqualification if FNS findings are upheld. After all due process has been completed, FNS will provide a follow up release with additional and updated information, including the names of retailers disqualified from the program. These actions follow the recent announcement of actions taken against 42 retailers in the Buffalo, NY area.

USDA monitors SNAP purchases at retail food stores suspected of violating program rules and regulations, including trafficking and allowing the purchase of ineligible items. After concluding positive investigations, USDA takes administrative action to ensure store owners who violate SNAP rules and regulations can no longer participate in the program.

“While most retailers comply with federal rules and regulations, USDA will not tolerate any retailer abusing this vital program that helps millions of Americans put food on the table,” said USDA Food and Nutrition Service Acting Administrator Cindy Long. “Today, we are taking appropriate action against these retailers, and we are confident this will deter other retailers from committing similar violations.”

Retailer fraud can be reported via the USDA hotline at (800) 424-9121, online or via email at SNAPRetailerComplaints@usda.gov.

Background

All told, in Fiscal Year 2020, FNS implemented 2,192 administrative sanction actions against SNAP retailers. These actions stem from findings of program violations and include 1,144 retailers being permanently disqualified for trafficking.

FNS also co-develops the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which provide science-based nutrition recommendations and serve as the cornerstone of federal nutrition policy.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

DENVER, CO, March 16, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced it has taken action against 23 Missouri and Illinois retailers suspected of violating USDA rules for accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that leverage American agricultural abundance to ensure children and low-income individuals and families have nutritious food to eat. The majority of participating SNAP stores are compliant with FNS rules and regulations. Additionally, the rate of trafficking among stores, which is the exchange of SNAP benefits for U.S. currency or other things of value, is about 1.6%.

However, today, FNS is announcing it has notified 23 retailers in Missouri and Illinois that they have violated SNAP regulations and is initiating action to revoke the authorization for these retailers to accept SNAP benefits. Twenty-one stores are charged with trafficking, and two stores are charged with selling ineligible items, which could lead to a six-month disqualification if FNS findings are upheld. After all due process has been completed, FNS will provide a follow up release with additional and updated information, including the names of retailers disqualified from the program.

USDA monitors SNAP purchases at retail food stores suspected of violating program rules and regulations, including trafficking and allowing the purchase of ineligible items. After concluding positive investigations, USDA takes administrative action to ensure store owners who violate SNAP rules and regulations can no longer participate in the program.

“While most retailers comply with federal rules and regulations, USDA will not tolerate any retailer abusing this vital program that helps millions of Americans put food on the table,” said USDA Food and Nutrition Service Acting Administrator Cindy Long. “Today, we are taking appropriate action against these retailers, and we are confident this will deter other retailers from committing similar violations.”

Retailer fraud can be reported via the USDA hotline at (800) 424-9121, online or via email at SNAPRetailerComplaints@usda.gov

Background

All told, in Fiscal Year 2020, FNS implemented 2,192 administrative sanction actions against SNAP retailers. These actions stem from findings of program violations and include 1,144 retailers being permanently disqualified for trafficking.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 26, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced it has taken action against 37 California retailers suspected of violating USDA rules for accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that leverage American agricultural abundance to ensure children and low-income individuals and families have nutritious food to eat. The majority of participating SNAP stores are compliant with FNS rules and regulations. Additionally, the rate of trafficking among stores, which is the exchange of SNAP benefits for U.S. currency or other things of value, is about 1.6%.

However, today, FNS announced it has notified 37 retailers in California that they have violated SNAP regulations and as a result will be initiating action to revoke the authorization for these retailers to accept SNAP benefits. Fifteen stores are charged with trafficking based on an undercover investigation, seven are charged with trafficking based on a data analysis investigation, and 15 are charged with selling ineligible items on an undercover investigation, which could lead to a six-month disqualification if FNS findings are upheld. After all due process has been completed, FNS will provide a follow up release with additional and updated information, including the names of retailers disqualified from the program.

USDA monitors SNAP purchases at retail food stores suspected of violating program rules and regulations, including trafficking and allowing the purchase of ineligible items. After concluding positive investigations, USDA takes administrative action to ensure store owners who violate SNAP rules and regulations can no longer participate in the program.

“While most retailers comply with federal rules and regulations, USDA will not tolerate any retailer abusing this vital program that helps millions of Americans put food on the table,” said USDA Food and Nutrition Service Acting Administrator Cindy Long. “Today, we are taking appropriate action against these retailers, and we are confident this will deter other retailers from committing similar violations.”
Retailer fraud can be reported via the USDA hotline at (800) 424-9121, online or via email at SNAPRetailerComplaints@usda.gov

Background

All told, in Fiscal Year 2020, FNS implemented 2,192 administrative sanction actions against SNAP retailers. These actions stem from findings of program violations and include 1,144 retailers being permanently disqualified for trafficking.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) leverages its 15 nutrition assistance programs to ensure that children, low-income individuals, and families have opportunities for a better future through equitable access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food, while building a more resilient food system. Under the leadership of Secretary Tom Vilsack, FNS is fighting to end food and nutrition insecurity for all through programs such as SNAP, school meals, and WIC. FNS also provides science-based nutrition recommendations through the co-development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. To learn more, visit www.fns.usda.gov.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.