While some believe that these benefits are part of a luxurious package that people receive, it’s by no means a picnic to rely on these funds to keep a family fed. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) sets guidelines according to household income, and if a person meets the specific criterion, then they qualify for this food assistance. They look for households that are within a certain percentage of the federal poverty guidelines.
SNAP’s Rigorous Guidelines
With such a massive program comes very stringent guidelines. Should these regulations be breached, then the punishments are severe. The proprietor of a licensed business who accepts these benefits can be subject to significant fines as well as other penalties if they abuse the system or ignore mandates.
Some items are not permitted to be purchased using EBT cards, some of which are premade foods by local deli counters or alcohol. The federal government has strict regulations on controlling these purchases. Any supermarket or grocery store that doesn’t adhere to these guidelines can risk losing the EBT cards option.
If a store exchanges SNAP benefits for things like toiletries or dog food, then the establishment’s owner can face strict penalties. When the violation is severe enough, then the agency will pull the license, which means a significant loss of income.
Getting Your SNAP Privileges Revoked
You may not understand the gravity of having your license revoked. Essentially, this is a substantial form of revenue, and it can be enough to close your business for good. Shoppers want to know that they can use their EBT funds to pay for stuff, and if you cannot offer that assistance, then they will shop elsewhere.
If your business has violated any policy, then you will receive a letter from the USDA regarding the infraction. What kind of offenses will trigger such a letter? It can be something as small as selling a bottle of wine and using SNAP benefits to pay for it.
There are times when things will slip by you, and it might have been done without being detected. Some mishaps will occur on occasion as no system is perfect, but don’t expect the USDA to be so forgiving. Even those honest mistakes will be punishable if they’re caught. The government doesn’t mess around when it comes to SNAP fraud as it’s quite extensive.
Any illegal activities that are connected to your licensure can cause a warning letter to be triggered. In some instances, the agency will allow you to make things right by paying a fine. Don’t be wary of a hefty fine because it’s nothing as costly as it will be to lose your license altogether. You want to avoid having your customers go elsewhere to shop for food.
You may not be able to pay such a significant fine, or you may forget about the letter and not act in a timely fashion. These letters come with a mandate that gives you ten days to rectify the situation by paying the amount. If you don’t take care of the balance, then you will lose your license.
Depending on the gravity of the situation, they may issue a temporary suspension, or they can put a permanent disqualification on your record. Each instance will be evaluated to see if there are any previous instances and the severity of the issues. The seriousness of the offense will determine how they proceed.
Contesting a Permanent Disqualification
You have an opportunity to respond to the letter, but don’t count on the USDA to rule favorably on the matter. If they have evidence that shows that you did wrong, then they have enough to take action against you. Perhaps you have a justifiable reason, such as equipment failure, and these are things that you need to state to show that it wasn’t a blatant act.
When a dispute is filed with justifiable reasoning, you can have a disqualification reversed. However, this is never something that you should tackle on your own, especially since it’s such a severe offense. If you’re unsuccessful in your appeal, then you won’t be able to accept SNAP payments ever again.
Since you’re already busy, you might forget to respond within the ten-day time frame. Additionally, if you don’t fill out the paperwork correctly, then it can also cause you issues. You need an attorney who is well versed in SNAP fraud to help you navigate this tedious process.
Due to the mountain of regulations encompassing SNAP misuses, experts agree it’s a legal minefield that the average person cannot handle. Not just any lawyer will do as you need someone who is well versed in SNAP cases and has a record of success.
The Need For Legal Representation
The best thing you can do is to hire an attorney as soon as you receive this letter so that you can ensure it’s handled correctly and according to USDA guidelines. If you’re suspended from accepting EBT cards, it can ruin a smaller grocery store or convenience mart.
You don’t want your customers to become comfortable shopping at another location while you sort this issue out with SNAP benefits. It’s hard to gain back loyalty to your patrons once it’s been lost.
Since it’s clear that the USDA is furiously harsh on any store that misuses SNAP funds, it’s essential to have a knowledgeable attorney on your side. In all honesty, it can be the difference between your store surviving or going under like so many others.
