This section outlines how you may lose your benefits and/or be criminally prosecuted for providing false information on purpose.
In short:
- Don’t give false information or hide the truth to get benefits.
- Don’t use someone else’s EBT card and don’t let people use yours.
- don’t try to buy alcohol, cigarettes, or try to pay credit cards with your EBT card.
- Don’t trade or sell EBT cards for things like guns, bullets, or drugs.
Possible Consequences for Breaking Food Stamp Rules and Getting Caught
- Any household member:
- can be barred from receiving Food Stamps for one year up to permanently.
- fined up to $250,000
- and/or imprisoned for up to 20 years
- prosecuted under other Federal and State laws
- can be barred for receiving Food Stamps for an additional 18 months
- Any household member who intentionally breaks the rules may not get Food Stamps for
- one year after first offense
- two years after second offense
- permanently disqualified after third offense
- Any household member found guilty of buying or selling Food Stamps for controlled substances may not get Food Stamps
- for two years for the first offense
- permanently disqualified after the second offense
- Any household member who bought or sold guns, bullets, or explosives using Food Stamps may not get Food Stamps
- EVER AGAIN. PERIOD.
- Any household member who sold more than $500 in Food Stamp over a period of time may not get Food Stamps
- EVER AGAIN. PERIOD.
- Any household member who gave false statements about who they are or where they live to get multiple benefits may not get Food Stamps
- for ten years
