Arkansas SNAP Benefit Theft Reimbursement Program: What Recipients Need to Know

Have you experienced the theft of your SNAP benefits in Arkansas due to card skimming or cloning? Under a newly enacted federal law, the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) is offering a temporary relief program to reimburse SNAP recipients for benefits stolen through these methods. This is a crucial measure for those affected, providing a pathway to recover lost food assistance funds. It is important to understand the details of this program, especially if you believe you have been a victim of EBT card theft.

This reimbursement program specifically addresses thefts that occurred between October 1, 2022, and December 20, 2024. Skimming and cloning are forms of fraud that target Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, used to distribute SNAP benefits. Skimming involves thieves attaching devices to card readers at points of sale to steal card information. Cloning is when stolen EBT card details are copied onto a new card, allowing criminals to access and steal the benefits.

If you suspect your SNAP benefits have been stolen through skimming or cloning during this period, it is vital to act quickly. To be eligible for reimbursement, you must report the theft to DHS no later than January 20, 2025. This deadline is crucial for accessing this temporary relief.

To initiate the reimbursement process, affected SNAP recipients need to download and complete the Declaration of Stolen Benefits form. This form is available in multiple languages to ensure accessibility for all recipients. You can find the form in English, Marshallese, and Spanish.

Once completed, the form can be submitted to DHS through several convenient methods:

Email: Send the completed form to [email protected]
Mail: Send via postal service to DHS, P.O. Box 2630 Blytheville, AR 72315-2802
In-Person: Return the form to your local DHS county office.

Choosing the submission method that is most accessible for you will help ensure your claim is processed efficiently.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, plays a vital role in Arkansas by providing food assistance to eligible households. This program helps to supplement the food budgets of families, ensuring access to nutritious food. SNAP benefits are distributed monthly via EBT cards, which can be used at authorized retailers and farmers markets to purchase eligible food items for home consumption, including seeds and plants to grow food.

Beyond food purchasing power, SNAP also offers additional resources to recipients. These include nutrition education programs, employment and training opportunities, and work experience in certain situations. These supportive services aim to promote long-term self-sufficiency and well-being among SNAP participants.

It’s also important for SNAP recipients to be aware of the upcoming changes to SNAP Time Limit Rules, which resumed on July 1, 2023. Detailed information about these rules can be found here. Understanding these rules is essential for maintaining continuous SNAP benefits if applicable.

For those seeking employment assistance, the SNAP Employment & Training (E&T) program is available across all 75 counties in Arkansas. This program helps SNAP participants acquire job-related skills and knowledge through various activities such as GED and basic skills education, ESL classes, and apprenticeship or internship programs. If you are a SNAP recipient interested in enhancing your job prospects, you can inquire with your DHS eligibility worker or contact one of the E&T providers listed here.

Access Arkansas Online Applications for SNAP
SNAP Application Form
SNAP Application Form \| Spanish
SNAP Quick Reference Guide
SNAP Time Limit Rules
SNAP Change Report
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card Information
SNAP Farmer’s Markets
SNAP Double Up Food Dollars
SNAP Double Up Food Bucks – How It Works
SNAP non-discrimination statement (Spanish)

Filing a Complaint Regarding SNAP Services

If you believe you have faced discrimination from the Department of Human Services, you have the right to file a complaint. Complaints can be made verbally or in writing to the Office of Program and Grant Management-Civil Rights Unit. Contact them at P.O Box 1437-Slot S335, Little Rock, AR 72203-1437, via email at [email protected] or by phone at 501-534-4119. The complaint form is accessible here.

SNAP Non-Discrimination Policy

The Arkansas Department of Human Services adheres to federal civil rights laws and USDA regulations, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, age, political beliefs, or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Individuals needing program information in alternative formats (Braille, large print, etc.) should contact the agency where they applied for benefits. Those with hearing or speech disabilities can use the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 to contact USDA.

To file a program discrimination complaint with the USDA, complete Form AD-3027, available online at https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, or contact any USDA office or call (866) 632-9992. Complaints can be mailed to Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 1320 Braddock Place, Room 334, Alexandria, VA 22314; faxed to (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or emailed to [email protected].

Consequences of SNAP Program Violations

Providing false information to obtain SNAP benefits, misuse of SNAP or EBT cards, or trading benefits for illegal items can lead to serious penalties. These penalties range from program disqualification to fines and imprisonment under federal and state laws. Intentional violations can result in ineligibility for SNAP for one to permanently, fines up to $250,000, and imprisonment up to 20 years. Specific violations, such as drug or firearm related transactions involving SNAP benefits, carry distinct ineligibility periods, including permanent bans for repeat offenses. Fraudulent statements to receive multiple SNAP benefits can result in a 10-year program ban.