USDA is aware of increased reports of EBT theft due to card skimming, cloning, and similar fraudulent methods. On Dec. 29, 2022, President Joseph R. Biden signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (the Omnibus), which includes provisions for the replacement of stolen EBT benefits with federal funds.
USDA's FNS and ACF at the Department of Health and Human Services are aware of increasing reports of benefit theft by criminal actors through EBT card skimming schemes. After discussions with EBT processors and fraud prevention stakeholders, FNS and ACF have identified prevention measures that can be adopted to improve card security while we work towards longer-term strategies.
FNS is issuing this memorandum on the use of Electronic Benefit Transfer transaction data as evidence of an intentional program violation.
This memorandum provides guidance on reporting expenditures of SNAP funds in order to comply with reporting requirements of OMB Circular A-133 and OMB guidance implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Our Oct. 31, 2013 subject memorandum pertained to A-133 audits of fiscal year 2013. This memorandum updates that document by providing parallel information on fiscal year 2014 audits.
SNAP Questions and Answers Concerning the Trafficking Controls and Fraud Investigations Final Rule
This memorandum is a follow-up to the FNS memorandum dated Aug. 1, 2013, announcing the Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Sunset (ARRA Sunset) Impact on Allotments.
In February, 2013, FNS published final regulations revising the definition of trafficking. It subsequently came to our attention that some states were not clear that upon its effective date, federal law takes precedence and states were expected to implement the new federal trafficking definition.
This memorandum provides guidance on reporting expenditures of SNAP funds in order to comply with reporting requirements of OMB Circular A-133 and OMB guidance implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 .
The increased focus on SNAP integrity has required FNS and the states to review their procedures for responding to integrity issues, specifically a clarification of FNS' responsibility when a state employee is found guilty of fraud while administering the program.
FNS is adjusting the State of Hawaii's maximum and minimum SNAP allotments for fiscal year 2013, due to recent updates in the state's Thrifty Food Plan.