Maine SNAP Alert! $76K Stolen – Are Your Benefits at Risk?
Maine families relying on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits are facing a crisis after a staggering $76,000 was stolen from EBT cardholders. According to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), approximately 300 households have been affected by what appears to be a large-scale operation involving stolen card numbers and PINs across several states.
The impact on these families, who had just received their August SNAP benefits, is devastating. They will now be without crucial assistance to purchase food until the next month. "These are individuals and families with low income who are qualifying for food benefits because their budgets don't allow them to afford all of the food that they need in a month," explained a representative from DHHS.
Last month, nearly $30 million in SNAP benefits were distributed to 173,000 Mainers. However, this month, some of those recipients will receive significantly less than anticipated. Alex Carter, a policy advocate at Maine Equal Justice, emphasized the vital role SNAP plays for low-income individuals and families struggling to afford groceries, stating, "SNAP can be absolutely essential to meeting those needs."
Making matters worse, a previous system that reimbursed stolen SNAP benefits was eliminated last year as part of the "American Relief Act." Currently, there is no recourse to replace the stolen funds. This leaves affected families in a precarious situation, struggling to put food on the table.
What Can You Do?
- Report any suspicious activity on your EBT card immediately to DHHS.
- Change your PIN frequently and avoid using easily guessable numbers.
- Be cautious of phishing scams that attempt to steal your card information.
Seeking Justice
Authorities are investigating the thefts and urge anyone with information about the alleged perpetrator to contact the police. The DHHS is working to address this growing national problem and urges Congress to reconsider the decision to eliminate the reimbursement program for stolen SNAP benefits. "We have an opportunity to get people the food that they need and the resources that they need, and Congress has..."