U.S. Representative Morgan Griffith

In response to fraudulent schemes in federal public health programs, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) will support a House effort to crack down on fraud in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Congressman Griffith is co-sponsor of anti-fraud legislation, H.R. 3887 – the SNAP Anti-Theft and Victim Compensation Act, to create new civil penalties for any person who knowingly accesses, uses or transfers SNAP benefits. Particularly important to recent events in our region, the bill also provides that States can use SNAP benefits to reimburse households whose benefits are stolen due to no fault of their own. Recently, Lynchburg, Virginia, officials notified residents that more than $60,000 in SNAP benefits were stolen from Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. The stolen benefits cannot be currently replaced, leaving SNAP participants without their fully allotted funds and putting them at risk of going hungry. Following his action to co-sponsor the SNAP Anti-Theft and Victim Compensation Act , Congressman Griffith issued the following statement: “SNAP benefits belong to the needy and vulnerable, not thieves. However, no system is currently in place to reimburse victims of SNAP theft, creating more financial and health hardship for SNAP recipients. “I am proud to be a Virginia advocate for the SNAP Anti-Theft and Victim Compensation Act. This bill will protect SNAP recipients, punish bad guys and serve Virginia’s hungry.” ###