Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (2nd District of Maryland)
Proposed Continuing Resolution would extend SNAP reimbursement for theft victims through December 20
(Washington, DC) – Victims of food stamp theft will continue to be reimbursed under pending stop-gap funding legislation thanks to the tireless advocacy of Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, his office announced today. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on a Continuing Resolution later this week that will keep the government funded – and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits flowing – through December 20, 2024. Currently, reimbursement for SNAP theft victims would otherwise expire on September 30.
Congressman Ruppersberger lead a bipartisan effort to extend critical protections to victims of food stamp theft, in which perpetrators use skimming devices to steal SNAP benefits distributed on electronic debit cards (EBT).
“This vital extension will continue to protect a record level of victims of SNAP benefit theft—including veterans, families, low-income workers, children, the elderly and the disabled— who have lost a critical lifeline through no fault of their own,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “This ensures tax dollars are used for their intended purpose and that American families do not lose their primary source of healthy food. No family should ever have to worry about how to put their next meal on the table.”
Currently, states are required to replace stolen SNAP benefits under a measure included in the 2023 omnibus funding bill passed by Congress at the end of 2022. The provision applied to benefits stolen from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2024. More than 125,000 households have been reimbursed since October 2022, not counting some of the hardest-hit states who have not reported the full impact.
While imperfect, the 3-month Continuing Resolution will level-fund the government and avert a needless government shutdown. Congressman Ruppersberger continues to champion his bipartisan standalone legislation, H.R. 205, establishing permanent reimbursement authority and better security features for EBT cards.