Mom’s $400 SNAP Card Drained by Thieves, Leaving Only 23 Cents

Families relying on food stamps through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are falling victim to thieves, leaving them unable to afford basic necessities during the holiday season.

Carmen Gayle, a Georgia mom, experienced this firsthand when her SNAP card, loaded with $400 by the Georgia Department of Human Services, was declined at a grocery store. Gayle and her teenage daughter, who were shopping for food, were shocked to learn their account held only 23 cents.

“I went straight into fix-it mode,” Gayle told WSB-TV. Unfortunately, the theft left her family without food and unable to celebrate her son’s birthday or Christmas. “No birthday for my son. No Christmas,” Gayle lamented, adding that she doesn’t have transportation to access local food pantries.

Another victim, Alice Brown, had $700 stolen from her SNAP benefits account. She was forced to use her Christmas savings to buy food instead of gifts for her grandchildren. “I couldn’t leave them in the house with no food,” Brown said.

About SNAP Benefits

SNAP, a federal program designed to assist low-income individuals and families, provides electronic benefits that can be exchanged for food. Each recipient’s benefit amount depends on factors like income, household size, and expenses.

DHS Response and Security Measures

The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) stated that stolen benefits could be returned within 30 to 60 days. However, victims like Brown remain skeptical about recovery timelines.

To combat fraud, DHS advises SNAP recipients to lock their cards using a new security feature available online or via the SNAP app. This feature prevents unauthorized transactions by allowing users to unlock their cards only when making purchases.

Victims of fraud have 30 days to report stolen benefits and can now request replacement funds without filing a police report.

These incidents highlight the vulnerability of families relying on SNAP benefits during the holiday season and underscore the importance of enhanced security measures.

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keelee-mccain

Keelee McCain is a junior at Weber High School. This is her second year on staff, this year as Assistant to the Chief. She does have a life (probably) but she can't think of anything to write in here, so she's probably just going to ramble now. She has an orange cat who she likes better than any human. If you see her being quiet or not sitting on top of a desk, there is something very wrong. In her free time she enjoys harassing her favorite teachers and sleeping. Her life plans include making it through high school and leaving. Happy lifeing.

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