Illinois has nearly 5,000 SNAP theft charges between August 2022 and July 2023. The Illinois Department of Human Services will actively track stolen SNAP benefits and combat card skimming under a new law issued on January 1.
Illinois lawmakers seek to reduce fraud in SNAP program (Photo: The Center Square)
Fighting SNAP Fraud: Illinois Law Empowers DHS for Active Detection and Data Collection
A new Illinois law mandates the Department of Human Services (DHS) to actively detect and collect data on SNAP fraud, focusing on benefit theft sites, starting January 1. The DHS tracks Link card theft and its use. Representative Sonya Harper said she utilized SNAP benefits and wanted to make sure this law helped families that don’t get enough food assistance each month.
The statute also requires the DHS to report to the General Assembly annually. This study helps lawmakers combat SNAP fraud in their districts and the state. The DHS can refer fraud cases to local state attorneys under House Bill 2214.
This helps catch benefit thieves. This project will help SNAP participants who lose benefits due to identity fraud. Senator Mattie Hunter underlined the importance of tracking these events to understand the problem and find viable solutions.
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Online Reporting for SNAP Theft Victims
Since Link card benefits are taken more regularly, the Biden administration has given each state money to compensate people who lost their cards last year. SNAP theft victims can now report it online using a form. They can seek support and an answer.
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