NYC Victims of SNAP Benefit Skimming Sue for Reimbursement

by Boro Park 24 Staff

After numerous SNAP recipients had their benefits stolen from accounts drained of all but a few paltry dollars, the victims of the theft have created a class action lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). 

Last year, more than $730,000 in benefits was stolen from New York EBT cardholders, according to the Legal Aid Society, which is suing on behalf of skimming victims.

Despite legal mandates that protect other forms of electronic theft and the agency's responsibility to ensure that benefits systems are protected,  the  USDA FNA won't authorize New York to utilize federal money to reimburse skimming victims.

In the complaint filed Wednesday, the plaintiffs ask for an injunction commanding the USDA and USDA FNS to authorize the replacement of stolen benefits.