What is a SNAP determination letter?
7 CFR 278.6(b)(1)
We owe loyalty to only you.
When you’re looking online, you have multiple options. There are so many firms advertising SNAP defense. Thankfully, your search is over. Spodek Law Group P.C. offers premier white-glove service and we’re unafraid of fighting. Unlike firms that are more focused on their relationship with the agency than with you, we owe loyalty to only YOU. Your store, your family, your license.
One reason our firm has such a high success rate is that we’re selective about who we work with. If we’re choosing to work with you, it’s because we think we can make a positive impact. That’s vastly different from firms that take on any client willing to pay. When you reach out, you start with a risk-free consultation - and you can ask us anything you want, regardless of how long it takes.
If there’s a way to keep your store in the program, we’ll find it. That’s the whole job.
Charge letter and determination letter get used interchangeably by owners, and they’re opposite ends of the process. The charge letter is an allegation with a deadline. The determination is the outcome.
What it contains
Under 7 CFR 278.6(c) the regional office reviews the letter of charges, any response, and whatever else is in its file, then issues the determination stating what was found and what sanction applies. If the finding is trafficking, the sanction is normally permanent disqualification, and the letter will also address whether the store was found eligible for a civil money penalty in lieu.
When it starts biting
A permanent disqualification takes effect immediately on receipt, whether or not review is requested. Term disqualifications generally wait for review to conclude. Firms determined eligible for a penalty in lieu may keep accepting benefits while review is pending - which is the practical reward for having asked in the first ten days.
The clock that starts now
Ten days from receipt to request administrative review under 7 CFR 279, in writing. New evidence is allowed at that stage, so everything the regional office never saw can still go in. After the final agency decision, thirty days to file in district court under 7 U.S.C. 2023, reviewed de novo.
When the biggest cases break, we get the call. That same team answers your ten days.
When the networks need a federal file explained in plain English, they call us.
This bench answers its own phone. Put it on your case.
Tell us what happened. Eight fields, two minutes - and a lawyer reads it today.
Read us the first line of the letter. We’ll tell you what day you’re on.
Bring the envelope, the attachment, and your invoices if you have them. If you don’t have them, bring the letter. The consultation is risk-free, it stays between us, and it happens today - ask us anything, regardless of how long it takes.