SNAP Anti-Theft Act of 2025

SNAP Anti-Theft and Victim Compensation Act of 2025

H.R. 3887 IH To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 relating to punishment and compensation for the theft of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits; and for other purposes.

Section 1: Short Title

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘SNAP Anti-Theft and Victim Compensation Act of 2025’’.

Section 2: Expanded Investigative Authority of the Department of Agriculture Inspector General

Section 16 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025) is amended by adding at the end the following:

‘‘(i)
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL COORDINATION AUTHORITY .—
’’
‘‘(1)
The Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture shall have full authority to investigate and coordinate multi-jurisdictional efforts to prevent, detect, and prosecute theft, misuse, or fraudulent access of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits, including—’

‘‘(A) investigation of cyber-enabled benefit theft, including skimming, cloning, phishing, spoofing, and unauthorized access to EBT systems; Issuing subpoenas, executing warrants, and initiating civil or criminal referrals;’

‘‘(B)
issuance of subpoenas, executing warrants, and initiating civil or criminal referrals;’’

Section 3: Authority to Reimburse Stolen SNAP Benefits

Section 11 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020) is amended by adding at the end the following:

‘‘(y)
REIMBURSEMENT FOR STOLEN BENEFITS .—
’’
‘‘(1)
States are authorized to use supplemental nutrition assistance program benefit funds to reimburse households whose benefits are stolen due to no fault of their own, including via skimming, cloning, or other unauthorized electronic transfers.’’

‘‘(2)
Reimbursement shall be made in accordance with guidance from the Secretary and shall not affect the household’s monthly allotment or ongoing eligibility. ’’’

‘‘(3)
The Secretary shall—’

‘‘(A) provide technical assistance to States for fraud detection and claims validation;’

‘‘(B) maintain a centralized reporting database for benefit theft incidents; ’’’

‘‘(C)
require States to submit annual data on benefit theft and reimbursements. ’’’

Section 4: Civil Penalty for Theft of SNAP Benefits

Section 15 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2024) is amended by adding at the end the following:

‘‘(g)
CIVIL PENALTY FOR THEFT OF SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS .—
’’
‘‘(1)
Any person who knowingly accesses, uses, or transfers supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits issued to household without authorization shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty in an amount equal to twice the value of the benefits stolen.’’

‘‘(2)
The Secretary may assess and enforce this penalty through an administrative proceeding under section 14 or through a civil action in a district court of the United States.’’

‘‘(3)
Funds recovered under this subsection shall be used, as determined by the Secretary, to offset the cost of reimbursing victims of benefit theft and the cost of the enhanced investigatory authority of the Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture.’’