Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), and U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) have introduced the Fairness for Victims of SNAP Skimming Act. This legislation aims to ensure that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients do not suffer from hunger due to the theft of their benefits by criminals and fraudsters. The proposed bill authorizes state SNAP agencies to reimburse individuals for benefits stolen through skimming or similar fraudulent activities.
Skimming involves the illegal use of devices on card processing machines that collect the data of cardholders, including the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card information and personal identification numbers (PINs). Using this stolen data, criminals gain access to EBT accounts and misappropriate SNAP and cash benefits. Since mid-2022, such scams have resulted in significant financial losses for thousands of Americans.
Under the existing legislative framework, a provision is made for the replacement of benefits stolen between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2024. However, reimbursement is limited to either the total amount stolen or up to two months of benefits, depending on which is lesser. The Fairness for Victims of SNAP Skimming Act seeks to make this provision permanent, allowing state agencies to continue offering replacement benefits. It also proposes removing the repayment cap, allowing the repayment in full for stolen benefits. At present, states cannot use federal funds for such reimbursements after the lapse of congressional authority late last year.
Congressman Lawler stated, “No family in America should go hungry because criminals are stealing their SNAP benefits through skimming. This bipartisan bill will give states the tools needed to make victims whole and ensures tax dollars support hardworking families, not thieves. I’m proud to work with Senators Fetterman and Gillibrand to introduce this common-sense solution.”
Senator Fetterman remarked on the significance of SNAP in Pennsylvania, saying, “SNAP is a critical lifeline for millions of Pennsylvanians. It is despicable that thieves are targeting hungry families, literally taking food from a baby’s mouth. We can’t let vulnerable children go hungry because of these criminals. I’m committed to doing everything in my power to protect and extend SNAP benefits. We need to make sure American families get fed – this bill is a critical step in doing just that.”
Congresswoman Meng highlighted the impact in New York, noting, “SNAP is a lifeline for thousands of New Yorkers. Stealing these benefits from hungry families is unconscionable. That’s why I have fought to help over nearly 85,000 New Yorkers recover more than $39.9 million in SNAP benefits. However, beneficiaries in Queens and communities across the country continue to be targeted by scammers looking to steal their benefits. Since 2022, Congress has made sure that victims of this crime don’t go hungry. However, late last year, Congress failed to extend this provision. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan, bicameral bill to ensure that no one who relies on SNAP to put food on the table goes hungry because their benefits were stolen by bad faith actors.”
Congressman Lawler represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, located in the northern suburbs of New York City and covering Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was recognized as the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress and was acknowledged among the top eight in overall effectiveness.
