SNAP benefits, crucial for millions of Americans, face widespread theft issues due to outdated debit card technology, prompting calls for urgent upgrades to ensure the security of funds intended for low-income families.
SNAP Benefits Under Threat – Rampant Theft Sparks Urgent Calls for Chip Card Upgrades Amidst Growing Hardship for Affected Families
SNAP benefits, which help many Americans afford food, are facing a big problem: theft. In Pennsylvania, where over two million people get SNAP, including nearly half a million in Philadelphia, CBS News Philadelphia found out that many people are having their benefits stolen. Criminals are using old-fashioned debit cards with magnetic strips, making it easy for them to steal money meant for poor families. This isn’t just happening in one place; it’s a big problem across the country, and people are calling for action to make the cards more secure.
A person who knows a lot about SNAP, Louise Hayes, says we need to use better technology, like chip cards, to keep the money safe. But even though some lawmakers are trying to make this happen, it’s taking a long time to change things. People like Jazmine “Jazzy” Campos are suffering because of stolen benefits. She and others have to wait a long time to get their money back, and it’s hard for them to feed their families in the meantime.
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500,000 Philadelphians Affected: Widespread Theft of SNAP Benefits Exposes Urgent Need for Chip Technology Upgrade and Better Security Measures – Be Aware! (PHOTO: Bloomberg)
Advocates Rally for Swift Solutions as SNAP Benefit Theft Sparks Government Response – Highlighting Ongoing Peril for Vulnerable Families
Furthermore, as people like Campos wait for help, others are speaking up to demand faster action and for the people who stole the benefits to be punished. The government is saying they’ll help fix the problem, but until they do, many families are still in danger of losing their important SNAP benefits, and that’s a big concern for everyone who depends on them.
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