Urges United States President, Congress, and USDA to take steps to protect SNAP beneficiaries from fraud.
Impact
The resolution addresses the current federal regulations which allow for a temporary solution where states can use federal funds to replace stolen SNAP benefits under specific conditions until September 2024. However, ACR183 calls for more robust and permanent measures, advocating for the retroactive replacement of stolen benefits back to October 2021, when skimming escalated significantly. By urging the federal government to act, the resolution aims to avert further financial hardship among low-income households who may find themselves hungry due to theft of their benefits.
Summary
ACR183 is a resolution introduced in the New Jersey Legislature which urges the President of the United States, Congress, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take comprehensive action to combat the rising levels of fraud affecting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The resolution highlights the alarming increase in SNAP benefit fraud linked to the use of 'skimming' devices, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic began. This has resulted in significant financial losses for vulnerable families reliant on these benefits for food security.
Contention
ACR183 also highlights the limitations of the current federal protections for EBT cardholders, noting that unlike other debit and prepaid cardholders who are protected under the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, EBT users lack similar safeguards. This discrepancy calls for stronger, more secure systems for SNAP EBT cards, such as the implementation of EMV chip technology that could prevent future skimming incidents. The bill's proponents argue that these upgrades are essential to safeguarding the integrity of SNAP and ensuring the beneficiaries can continue receiving their much-needed assistance.
Requires DHS to provide information to SNAP and WFNJ recipients regarding card skimming, cloning, and similar fraudulent activities and to submit report to Governor and Legislature on these fraud activities.
A resolution to urge Congress to pass legislation and urge the United States Department of Agriculture to promulgate rules and implement more thorough security measures that would reduce the amount of fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Requires State to adopt practices to reduce SNAP benefits theft and to replace stolen SNAP benefits under certain circumstances; upgrades criminal penalties for SNAP benefits theft; makes appropriation.