SNAP Permanent Disqualification Attorneys
How SNAP Permanent Disqualification Can Impact You For Decades
Whether you own a grocery store or are employed as the store’s manager, you deal with numerous customers who participate in SNAP and thus use EBT benefits to purchase their groceries. But as you know, it is imperative your store always be in full compliance with the United States Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP. Unfortunately, since rules pertaining to this program are always subject to change, it has become much easier to make mistakes now than in years past. Whether it is information being entered incorrectly into a cash register, an employee allowing EBT to be used for illegal purchases, or allegations of your store exchanging EBT benefits for cash, drugs, or weapons, the result could be a permanent disqualification from SNAP. If you think this is not serious, the fact is a penalty such as this can impact your life for decades to come. Because of this, speak immediately to a highly-skilled SNAP permanent disqualification attorney once these allegations are made against you by the government.
Why Am I Facing Permanent Disqualification?
When the USDA starts talking of imposing a permanent disqualification, it is due to various factors. The most common and serious is SNAP trafficking, which as stated earlier involves exchanging EBT for cash or other items. In many instances, this will be determined to have taken place either by the government examining records of your transactions or by results obtained from undercover investigations at your store.
As for other times when this penalty may be used, the USDA may have determined that you as the store’s manager or owner are ineligible to participate in SNAP, or that your store has been guilty of repeated violations that warrant a permanent disqualification penalty. Yet no matter what reason the USDA has for threatening you with this penalty, you will be given little notice by the government, usually no more than 10 days. Within this time, you will need to contact an experienced SNAP permanent disqualification attorney to discuss your case, learn of your legal options, and begin the appeal process.
No Flexibility or Negotiations
Unlike many other legal matters where both sides come together to negotiate a resolution to the problem, the USDA does not negotiate with those it has deemed to have committed SNAP violations. Instead, by the time you are made aware of allegations and the possibility of permanent disqualification from SNAP, the USDA has essentially made up its mind about you and your situation. However, that does not mean you cannot come out of this situation a winner. While the USDA will claim to have rock-solid evidence against you, that is not always true. By working with an attorney who understands this and knows how to poke holes into the government’s case against you, it is quite possible to avoid permanent disqualification and the lasting impacts it will have on your life.
Ruining Your Reputation
As a business owner or member of management, you have worked hard over the years to build your reputation in your workplace and the community. However, should you be given a permanent disqualification from the USDA, expect this to go far in helping to ruin the reputation you value so much. Since your store will never again be allowed to accept EBT, customers will instantly know something drastic has taken place. Also, the government will see to it that you are never allowed to hold any job with authority in a store that accepts EBT, nor will you be able to obtain employment with any company that does business with the government on a regular basis.
But perhaps more than anything else, this DQ penalty will follow you for decades and cost you thousands of dollars. For example, if convicted of SNAP trafficking, expect to be hit with a Transfer Civil Money Penalty from the USDA. This penalty, which will need to be paid by you in the event you close or sell your business, can be enforced decades later, long after the violation took place. Thus, as you are preparing to retire or simply move on to another career, the USDA will be standing there expecting an immediate payment. To avoid this legal and financial nightmare, do all you can to avoid this penalty by trusting your case to a SNAP permanent disqualification attorney who knows how to get results for their clients.
Don’t Fight the Battle Alone
When you initially receive a Charge Letter from the USDA regarding a possible permanent disqualification, you may think you can just respond to the letter and be done with the matter. If you pursue such a strategy, you will be setting the stage for the USDA to have a very easy time winning its case against you. Since you will know little if anything about what is happening, the government will be able to coerce you into saying and doing things that will only hurt your case even more. For example, you may admit mistakes were made, but place the blame on poorly-trained employees. Yet even if employees were responsible for the errors, you as the store’s manager or owner are still viewed by the USDA as being responsible for what transpired. Rather than do or say something that implies you or others at your store are guilty of the allegations, hire a lawyer at once who can handle all communications with the USDA.
Since large fines, the loss of your business or employment opportunities, and even the chance you may not be able to obtain loans to purchase a new home or car will be part of the equation, don’t hesitate to be proactive in fighting off a permanent disqualification. To get started, contact a SNAP permanent disqualification attorney today.
