The SNAP Program
The SNAP program provides users benefits for food each month through an EBT card. These benefits are to be used for specific items and are not to be used for duplicitous cash back services. The EBT card is issued to the user in the state that they reside in but is operated by the federal government on a nationwide level.
The USDA FNS, or the US Code and the Code of Federal Regulations, runs the EBT program and enforces all regulations concerning it.
SNAP Violations and What They Are
The following actions by your store may result in SNAP violations:
•Your location accepted SNAP benefits in exchange for tobacco, alcohol, or other nonfood items.
•Your store fraudulently accepted SNAP benefits or traded SNAP benefits.
•Your store supplied inaccurate information on the application to accept benefits.
•Your employees accepted SNAP benefits from a person who was not permitted to use them.
•Your store took in more EBT benefits for food than the actual food sales within the same time frame.
How to Defend Against a SNAP Violation Letter
We have years of experience defending our clients who have been charged with a SNAP violation. We can handle every phase of your SNAP violation from start to finish.
The letter informing your store of SNAP violations may come any time and without a prior warning. It is the first step by the USDA to take away your right to accept EBT benefits at your store. The letter will provide details concerning your violations and will provide additional documents that show you when and how the violations occurred. You will need to respond to the letter within ten days of receiving it. When you receive services from our law firm, our attorneys will take care of all communication between your store and the USDA. We will collect any and all evidence needed for the case and draft an appropriate response to the USDA.
If the USDA still believes that your store violated the rules after reviewing the answer given to them, they may send a second letter that states their legal verdict. They may also disqualify your store from accepting SNAP benefits. If you receive a second letter, you will again have ten days to respond. Our law firm will appeal the decision for you and generate an appellate brief that is required to change the outcome of your violations.
If the USDA still refuses to change their decision, we will then file a judicial review at your local Federal Court. You’ll be assigned a trial date in which we will represent you and your store. We handle these cases within every state.
SNAP Violations
In order to accept SNAP benefits, grocery stores must adhere to all rules and regulations concerning them. EBT cards have limitations that must be followed. For example, SNAP benefits may not be used for electronic goods or tobacco products. Violating SNAP laws can result in your store losing the right to accept EBT in your store temporarily or permanently. Many store owners are unaware that the violations are even happening, as unethical employees are abusing the program in secret either for themselves, family or friends. Talk to a SNAP violation attorney to ensure your benefits are not revoked before it is too late.
Respond to a SNAP violation letter within ten days to make sure the allegations do not affect your store in the future. A disqualification may result in the loss of EBT acceptance in your store for up to five years. You will want to get in contact with a SNAP violation law firm as soon as you receive a letter in order to procure the representation.