Stolen Benefits Replacement Update!

Last year, there was a nationwide rise in the prevalence of scam-related benefit theft which targeted SNAP (food stamps) and TA (temporary assistance cash benefits) households. The funds were typically stolen through electronic means such as EBT card skimming, cloning, third-party misrepresentation, or other fraudulent methods like phishing. Recently, federal law has allowed those stolen benefits to be replaced. Under current federal rules, only SNAP theft transactions occurring from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2024, may be eligible for replacement. TA-related theft transactions occurring on or after January 1, 2022, may be eligible for replacement.

The application for replacement issuance of skimmed SNAP and cash assistance is now available. Applications can be submitted starting Monday, 8/21/23. For more information on how to apply, please visit the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) website. It is important to read the OTDA Administrative Directive Memorandum carefully to ensure the timely submission of requests for the replacement of stolen funds.

Nassau Suffolk Law Services’ Public Benefits Unit provides legal assistance to persons who experience problems with public benefits programs that are administered by the local Departments of Social Services, including:

We also assist low-income households in establishing Supplemental Needs Trusts to eliminate the Medicaid spend-down and assist homeless families to obtain rent supplements from DSS to enable families to leave the shelters or retain permanent housing. Suffolk County residents seeking legal representation can contact (631) 232-2400 (Islandia) or (631) 369-1112. Nassau County residents seeking legal representation can contact (516) 292-8100.