711.03 Definition of Trafficking Food Stamp Benefits (FSM)

SR 16-15 Dated 06/16

Previous Policy

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Trafficking Food Stamp benefits means exchanging (buying, selling, stealing, or trading), or attempting to exchange Food Stamp benefits, including the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card or EBT card Personal Identification Number (PIN), for cash or for anything other than eligible food, or knowingly using, transferring, acquiring, altering, selling, or possessing Food Stamp benefits in any manner not authorized by the Federal Food Stamp Act. This includes:

•     Whether the individual is acting alone, acting with others, directly taking or attempting to take the action, or indirectly taking or attempting to take the action, and whether the individual is taking or attempting to take the action in person or online through websites and social media;

•     Exchanging firearms, ammunition, explosives, or controlled substances for Food Stamp benefits;

•     Purchasing a product with Food Stamp benefits that has a container requiring a return deposit with the intent of obtaining cash by discarding the product and returning the container for the deposit amount; or

•     Purchasing a product with Food Stamp benefits with the intent of obtaining cash or anything other than eligible food by reselling the product.

Any person who is found guilty in a court of law:

•     Of trading of a controlled substance in exchange for Food Stamp benefits, is prohibited from participating in the Food Stamp Program for 24 months for the 1st offense and permanently for the 2nd offense.

•     For the trading of ammunition, firearms, or explosives in exchange for Food Stamp benefits, or of any trafficking in Food Stamp benefits of more than $500, is permanently ineligible for Food Stamp benefits.

•     For buying or selling Food Stamp benefits is suspended from the Food Stamp Program for 1 year for the 1st offense, 2 years for the 2nd offense, and permanently for the 3rd.

      Do not increase Food Stamp benefits to the remaining members of the Food Stamp household during the periods of ineligibility when a member of the household has been disqualified per the above.

 

 

References: RSA 167:17-b; 7 CFR 271.2; 7 USC 2015(b)(1); 21 USC 802; Section 6(b)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008