SNAP Anti-Theft and Victim Compensation Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]
Introduced
Summary
Combat SNAP benefit theft by expanding investigative powers, authorizing state-level reimbursements to victims, and creating a civil penalty to deter and repay fraud.
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- Households: States may reimburse families whose SNAP benefits were stolen through no fault of their own, including skimming, cloning, and unauthorized electronic transfers. Reimbursements use SNAP funds and do not reduce a household's monthly allotment or affect ongoing eligibility.
- States and administrators: States get authority and Secretary of Agriculture guidance to validate claims, receive technical assistance, and must submit annual data while a centralized reporting database tracks theft incidents.
- Investigators: The Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General gains expanded authority to coordinate multi-jurisdictional and cyber-enabled investigations. That includes issuing subpoenas, executing warrants, requesting data from State Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) processors and vendors, and working with DOJ, FBI, DHS, Secret Service, and financial institutions.
- Offenders and recovery: Anyone who knowingly accesses or transfers SNAP benefits without authorization faces a civil penalty equal to twice the value of the stolen benefits. Recovered funds are used to reimburse victims and to offset costs of the enhanced investigative authority, and the penalty is in addition to other legal penalties.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Double penalties for SNAP benefit theft
If enacted, people who steal SNAP benefits would face a civil penalty equal to twice the stolen amount. USDA could collect it in an administrative case or by suing in federal court. Recovered money could help repay victims and fund investigations. This would be on top of any other penalties under this or other laws.
States would repay stolen SNAP benefits
If enacted, States would be allowed to repay SNAP benefits stolen through no fault of the household. This would include skimming, cloning, and other unauthorized electronic transfers. Repayments would not reduce your monthly allotment or your eligibility. States would follow USDA guidance. The Secretary would give technical help and keep a central theft-reporting database. States would send annual theft and repayment data. USDA would review the need for this once all States use secure payment tech.
More USDA power to fight SNAP theft
If enacted, the USDA Inspector General would get broader power to fight SNAP theft, including cyber theft. The IG could issue subpoenas and warrants, refer cases, and get data from state EBT processors and vendors. The IG could work with DOJ, FBI, DHS, the Secret Service, state and local police, and banks, and join cyber task forces. The Secretary could set rules and provide funds for this work.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]
IA • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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