(The Center Square) - The deadline to replace Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for recipients whose benefits were electronically stolen or skimmed is fast approaching.

A September 30, 2024, deadline looms for those who had their benefits stolen between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2024, to replace their lost benefits. This comes after Congress passed a law in December 2022, hoping to reduce SNAP benefit theft; the law set this deadline to replace benefits. People must file their claims within 30 days of the theft occurring to ensure they receive payment.

After that time, the federal government will no longer provide states with federal funding to replace these stolen snap benefits, according to a press release from the New Mexico Health Care Authority.

Image

So far, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has replaced $61.5 million in benefits, with a 79 percent replacement approval rate, according to the USDA's website.

HCA urges recipients to check their SNAP account balances, review past purchases, and file claims, if necessary, before the end of the month.

“We are focused on helping our customers protect and use their SNAP benefits,” Niki Kozlowski, director of Income Support Division of HCA, said. “We urge all SNAP customers to monitor their account, use their benefits, and change their account PIN regularly.”

SNAP fraud costs states tens of millions of dollars annually; Scripps News reported in December 2023 that 46 states had endured over $70 million in SNAP fraud combined in recent years.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers people the following tips for dealing with and preventing SNAP fraud:

• Avoid simple PINs. Number combinations such as 1111, 1234 or 9876 may be easy for others to guess.
• Keep your PIN and card number secret. Do not share your PIN or card number with anyone outside your household. Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN on a machine.
• Beware of phishing. State agencies and EBT processors will never call or text to ask for your PIN or card number.
• Change your PIN often. Change your PIN at least once a month, right before your benefit issuance date.
• Check your EBT account regularly for unauthorized charges. If you see any, change your PIN right away to stop the thief from making new purchases. Report suspicious activity to your local SNAP office.
• Contact your local SNAP office. If you think you are the victim of card skimming and your SNAP benefits were stolen, contact your local SNAP office.

The USDA sees EBT cards with chips and contactless payments as potential ways to combat fraud. However, no states offer these payment methods yet, according to the USDA's website.