Texas Health Agency Approves Replacement of Stolen SNAP Benefits for Fraud Victims

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has obtained official authorization from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to replace stolen benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for individuals who have fallen prey to fraudulent activities. In response to an increase in scams such as skimming and cloning, which scammers employ to unlawfully access Lone Star Card numbers and Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) linked to SNAP benefits, the HHSC aims to address the needs of affected individuals.

HHSC Replaces Benefits To AidFraudVictims In Regaining Essential Food Resources

HHSC announced that the replacement of benefits will help victims of fraud regain access to essential food resources. Wayne Salter, the Deputy Executive Commissioner for Access and Eligibility Services at HHS, emphasized the agency’s commitment to assisting customers in detecting and preventing fraud. Providing replacement benefits is an important step toward supporting individuals who have been deceived.

HHSC has received federal approval to proceed with the replacement process. SNAP recipients who have been victims of fraud should visit a local HHSC office and complete Form H1854, which specifically addresses unauthorized use of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits, to request a new Lone Star Card, PIN, and replacement benefits.

For individuals facing challenges in visiting an HHSC office, such as age, disability, distance, or the inability to appoint an authorized representative, they can contact their local HHSC office to request a form to be mailed to them.

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Eligible recipients can receive replacement benefits up to the amount that was stolen or an equivalent of two months’ worth of their household’s SNAP benefits, whichever is less. After completing Form H1854, most eligible SNAP households can expect to receive replacement benefits on their new Lone Star Cards within 10 days.

Recipients are entitled to request replacement benefits twice during each federal fiscal year. The current fiscal year covers October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023, while the subsequent fiscal year spans October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024. Individuals suspecting that their SNAP benefits were stolen between October 1, 2022, and May 30, 2023, must submit a request for replacement benefits by August 29, 2023. Starting from May 31, 2023, SNAP recipients must report stolen benefits within 30 days of suspected fraud to be eligible for replacement benefits.

The HHSC is dedicated to supporting SNAP recipients who have fallen victim to fraud, ensuring they regain access to the food resources they need.