Save Your Store’s SNAP Status: A Guide to Requesting Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP)
Suppose you run a small SNAP-approved grocery store. You work day and night to serve your neighborhood and maintain your stocks. And the SNAP approval brings in a steady revenue, and also helps your customers put food on the table.
However, one fine day, you see that you’ve received a charge letter from the USDA, accusing you of trafficking. How will you feel?
The USDA often threatens permanent disqualification if it suspects SNAP trafficking. This means you are at risk of losing your ability to accept EBT payments forever! For most small business owners, this is no different than a financial death sentence!
But fortunately, there is one way you can protect your business- by requesting to pay a Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) instead of the permanent ban. But the process is a little complex, and therefore, consulting with an experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyer is always necessary.
What is a Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP)?
A Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) is a fine that you pay to the government. So, instead of losing your SNAP license for life, you pay the penalty, which allows you to retain your SNAP license and continue serving your customers.
How Complicated is it to Request a CMP?
If you’re planning to request a CMP, keep in mind that the process is quite complicated.
First of all, it should be requested within 10 days of the date you received the charge letter from the USDA. If you miss this window, you lose every chance of settlement forever, and the USDA will move forward with the permanent disqualification process.
That being said, you have to fulfill the following requirements to make sure you qualify for the CMP-
- You have to prove that your business is aligned with the compliance policies related to SNAP benefits.
- You have to prove that you put all the compliance protocols into effect before the violation.
- You have to have records that show that you trained your employees on SNAP regulations and EBT procedures.
- You also have to prove that you didn’t know about the supposed trafficking and didn’t authorize it. You also need to show that you didn’t gain anything financially from the fraudulent activity.
Why You Should Seek Legal Help?
The USDA takes trafficking allegations very seriously, especially when it comes to SNAP trafficking. Even the most minute errors might result in you facing severe consequences. You have to prove that you did your due diligence as an employer.
That being said, requesting a CMP also requires a mountain of organized evidence. You need to show the USDA that you are a responsible business owner. And that’s exactly where a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer can help you out. They can assist you in gathering the evidence and paperwork and help craft a strong defense claim. Not just that, but they also make sure that the response you give meets all regulatory standards.
A charge for SNAP trafficking doesn’t just ruin your reputation, but can disrupt your business as well. So, don’t let a single mistake or a misunderstanding affect your business. If you received a charge letter, make sure to call us at Logue Law Group and consult with our expert Pittsburgh criminal lawyers about the best ways to respond. Dial 412-387-6901 to book a free consultation today!