Stolen Benefits Replacement Extension Until April 1, 2024!

Last year, there was a nationwide rise in the prevalence of scam-related benefit theft which targeted SNAP (food stamps) and TA (temporary assistance cash benefits) households. The funds were typically stolen through electronic means such as EBT card skimming, cloning, third-party misrepresentation, or other fraudulent methods like phishing. Recently, federal law has allowed those stolen benefits to be replaced. Applications for SNAP benefits stolen between October 1, 2022, and August 20, 2023, and Cash Assistance benefits stolen between January 1, 2022, and August 20, 2023 (retroactive claims) can now be submitted through April 1, 2024. The original retroactive claim application deadline was extended from October 31, 2023, to December 31, 2023, and has now been extended to April 1, 2024. All other applications must be submitted within 30 days from the date the household discovered the theft. 

Note: Households whose SNAP benefits were stolen between October 1, 2022, and August 20, 2023, or TA cash benefits stolen between January 1, 2022, and August 20, 2023, who do not apply before April 1, 2024, still have the option to apply for replacement as long as the application is submitted within 30 days from the date the household discovered the theft.

For more information on how to apply, please visit the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) website. It is important to read the OTDA Administrative Directive Memorandum carefully to ensure the timely submission of requests for the replacement of stolen funds.

Nassau Suffolk Law Services’ Public Benefits Unit provides legal assistance to persons who experience problems with public benefits programs that are administered by the local Departments of Social Services, including:

• Welfare (TANF and Safety Net)
• Medicaid
• Food Stamps (SNAP)
• Child Care Assistance
• HEAP
• Emergency shelter for the homeless
• Unemployment insurance appeals and overpayments
• Other emergency assistance programs

We also assist low-income households in establishing Supplemental Needs Trusts to eliminate the Medicaid spend-down and assist homeless families to obtain rent supplements from DSS to enable families to leave the shelters or retain permanent housing. Suffolk County residents seeking legal representation can contact (631) 232-2400 (Islandia) or (631) 369-1112. Nassau County residents seeking legal representation can contact (516) 292-8100.