Assemblyman William Colton (D—Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights) and Councilmember Susan Zhuang (D—Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend, Dyker Heights, Boro Park and Sunset Park) are warning individuals who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that there has been a rash of unauthorized withdrawals from EBT accounts, and the federal agency that administers the program will stop reimbursing cardholders for such withdrawals as of September 30, 2024.

According to Assemblyman Colton and Councilmember Zhuang, numerous constituents have reported that unauthorized transactions by people unknown to them have been made using their accounts, either out of state or online. However, the Human Resources Administration (HRA), which oversees the program and which previously credited compromised accounts if the theft was proven, will no longer do so. Based on this, they advise EBT account holders should consider locking their accounts to prevent fraudulent transactions from being made online or in other states.

“This is a huge problem for SNAP recipients, who rely on the funds in their accounts to feed themselves and their families,” said Assemblyman Colton. “We are urging all EBT recipients to take the crucial step of locking their accounts to protect them, and will be happy to provide additional information or assist people in doing what is necessary.”

Councilmember Zhuang has already written to HRA, requesting that it delay implementing its no-reimbursement policy until recipients have a chance to take steps to protect their accounts. In addition, the councilmember has asked HRA to consider an across-the-board block on online or out-of-state SNAP transactions.

“Many recipients’ food stamps were stolen soon after the government deposited the amount electronically at the beginning of the month, and the thieves mostly shopped in other states or online, using the victims’ food stamps. I urge people to take action to protect their accounts as soon as possible because the HRA will no longer provide compensation for the theft of food stamps after September 30,” said Councilmember Zhuang.