All You Need to Know About Regulations Concerning SNAP EBT Trafficking
Most of us know the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as food stamps. It is the U.S’s largest food program, which helps millions of needy families put food on their table. Hence, the USDA keeps a close track of these transactions.
Therefore, if the government accuses you of fraud, you should immediately contact a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer. Because trafficking allegations, especially SNAP trafficking, can disrupt your business and cause serious legal repercussions.
What Is SNAP Trafficking?
In the eyes of the USDA, SNAP trafficking covers some very specific actions, the most common among which are exchanging SNAP benefits for cash.
Not just that, but when retailers allow customers to buy ineligible items like alcohol, tobacco, or household supplies, it is also considered trafficking! Along with that, selling hot prepared foods with an EBT card can trigger a SNAP violation. The U.S government strictly views these actions as a theft of federal funds!
How Does the USDA Monitor Your Store?
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has set up a team of Federal Analysts whose responsibility is to make sure that retailers are abiding by the regulations to prevent SNAP trafficking. These Federal Analysts usually perform-
- Undercover investigation, and
- Audits on EBT card transactions
After that, the FNS publishes Final Agency Decisions on the internet. Now, if any uncontested sanctions or illegal transactions show up on your record on that list, it’s going to give your business’s reputation a hard blow!
What are the Penalties You Might Face?
The consequences of a SNAP trafficking conviction might be terrible! The most common penalty is permanent disqualification from the program. And this is bad news because for many grocery stores, losing their EBT customers means closing their doors forever!
The government might also hit you with heavy monetary penalties. These fines can reach thousands of dollars depending on the total transaction amount. Other than that, if convicted, you may face prison time and a permanent criminal record. That’s why consulting with an experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyer can help you protect your rights and your reputation as a retailer!
The Charging Letter: The Most Dreadful Element!
How will you know that you’ve been convicted of SNAP trafficking?
Well, the process usually begins when you receive a formal This piece of document highlights the specific transactions that the USDA finds suspicious. You usually have a ten-day window to submit a written response.
This response is your only chance to explain the whole scenario. You have to provide receipts, invoices, and inventory records as proof of your innocence. A Pittsburgh criminal lawyer from Logue Law Group understands how to organize and submit this data within the deadline.
The Solution: A Strong Defense
As a retailer, you can fight these allegations, but only when you have the right strategy. Because sometimes, the most honest mistakes are also flagged as ‘fraud’. For instance, shopowners often charge sales tax on SNAP benefits purchases, which is an honest error, ignoring which might get you flagged for trafficking!
So, the best thing to protect yourself and your business is to keep meticulous records of all your inventory and sales. Apart from that, employee training is also a vital part of your defense.
And above all, you should hire a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer as these professionals can help craft a robust defense strategy and can fight on your behalf to prove your innocence. So, if you, or someone you know, has been wrongly charged with SNAP trafficking, we at Logue Law Group are here to help! Just call us at 412-387-6901 to schedule a free consultation today!