AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission announced Wednesday that it has acquired federal authority to replace stolen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for fraud victims.
HHSC Will Replace Stolen Benefits By Requesting New Cards And PINs
According to an HHSC press release, Texas has seen an uptick in reports of frauds such as skimming and cloning. Scammers utilize these methods to get Lone Star Card numbers as well as Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) in order to gain access to the benefits.
HHSC gained governmental approval from the U.S. According to the announcement, the Department of Agriculture will move forward with replacing stolen benefits.
According to the statement, any SNAP participants who have been victims of fraud should request a new Lone Star Card and PIN as well as replacement benefits by contacting a local HHSC office and filling out Form H1854 — an unlawful use of EBT benefits.
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SNAP Users Must Report Stolen Benefits Within 30 Days Of Suspected Fraud To Receive A Benefit Replacement
Individuals who are unable to attend a local office owing to considerations such as age, disability, distance, or incapacity to select an authorized representative can phone their local HHSC office to have a form forwarded to them, according to the statement.
According to HHSC, if you are qualified for replacement benefits, the total replacement amount cannot exceed the amount of the stolen benefits or the amount equal to two months of the household’s SNAP benefits, whichever is less. According to the statement, most qualified SNAP households will receive replacement benefits issued on their new Lone Star Cards within 10 days of completing Form H1854.
In each federal fiscal year (FFY), SNAP participants can obtain replacements for stolen benefits twice. The fiscal year 2023 runs from October 1, 2022, until September 30, 2023. FFY 2024 runs from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024. According to HHSC, the deadline is June 30, 2024. Recipients who feel their SNAP benefits were stolen between October 1, 2022, and May 30, 2023, have until August 29, 2023, to request a replacement benefit. According to the statement, beginning May 31, 2023, SNAP users must report stolen SNAP benefits within 30 days of suspected fraud in order to receive a benefit replacement.
Visit the SNAP Fraud Benefit Replacement website to learn more about requesting replacement benefits.
Customers who want to learn more about preventing and detecting fraud should go to the EBT fraud web page.
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