Nationwide SNAP Violation Lawyers

Henderson Snap Violation Attorneys

Food store retailers need to adhere to several laws and regulations to sell food to their clients. There are government instituted programs such as the SNAP program that shows dedication in exposing untrustworthy store owners who violate those provisions. The program benefits consumers who use EBT card.

SNAP Program
The federal government operates the program on a national level governed by the Code of Federation Regulations and the US code. Food stamps were used in the 1990’s and later got replaced by EBT cards. The cards get distributed to families that have a specific amount of money each month in the state where they reside. They get supplied with Electronic Benefits Transfer Cards, which functions similarly to a bank debit card. The card has measures to prevent SNAP fraud. Retailers who violate the laws get SNAP violation letters from USDA.

Understanding SNAP Violation
Currently, there is an increase in USDA’s (United States Department of Agriculture) enforcement against false EBT operations and SNAP violations. According to Chapter 51 and Part 278 of the Code of Federal Regulation, the government can permanently disqualify a business from getting involved in EBT transactions. That would mean that your business cannot receive revenue from

SNAP benefits.
Many retailers who accept EBT at their grocery stores, gas stations, and specialty stores get a notice from the USDA indicating a violation of SNAP program. It can be in the form of offenses such as food stamp trafficking. The letter requires the retailers to respond within ten days, and failure to take action might lead to suspending or termination of the store privileges to accept EBT benefits in place of food.
Food and Nutrition Service has more than 100 investigators and analysts who are actively involved in ensuring SNAP retailer compliance. They work together with the state law enforcement to provide SNAP benefits in support of anti-trafficking. The FNS conducts investigation secretly and processes cases, disqualifications, and fines against violations by retailers. The federal government then prosecutes those who have violated the SNAP directives.

Food Stamp Trafficking
SNAP trafficking refers to the exchange of food stamps for cash and fraudulent EBT transactions. Many violations take place within a SNAP program, including:
1. A cashier can swipe EBT card to give $200 in SNAP benefit, but instead offers $100 cash from the register to the customer.
2. A facility’s SNAP redemption is exceeding the sale of foods.
3. If a store gets disqualified from participating in the WIC program, the USDA may also bar it from SNAP program.
4. A retail shop offers credit to customers in exchange for EBT privileges.
Similar transactions lead to unbalanced accounting that eventually catches the attention of the USDA who later provides a fraudulent charge letter. Code of Federal Regulations Title Seven states that authorized retailers are the only ones who qualify to exchange SNAP approved foods for food stamps. Many times, store owners are not aware of the violations because dishonest employees are the ones who benefit from the unauthorized transactions. SNAP violations can not only result in permanent disqualification from the program, but also result in penalties and hefty fines.

Importance of Seeking Legal Advice
As stated above, there is a ten-day time limit once a store gets presented with a charge letter. Failure to respond can paint the store negatively, as the governing agency may render a verdict without giving the store owner a chance to defend him or herself. Most store owners do not have the legal experience to prepare for SNAP violation charges. Hiring a violation lawyer gives you a fighting chance to help you in reducing fines and avoid or decrease jail time. SNAP violation lawyers are a team of attorneys who have been in existence since 2013. They have handled more than 300 cases for clients in the United States. The lawyers are trusted to protect retail stores as their primary goal is to focus on EBT application denials and SNAP violation defense.
SNAP vendors need to understand the program to avoid SNAP violations entirely. Business owners should not sell items that are not part of the program or trade benefits for cash. Paperwork needs to be completed on time to avoid problems. Also, SNAP program abuse should get reported to the authorities.