Thousands of Colorado families relying on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have faced theft through card skimming, leaving them struggling to put food on the table. Until recently, victims could expect reimbursement within 30 days. However, as of December 20, 2024, federal funding for stolen SNAP benefits reimbursements has been discontinued—leaving families with no way to recover lost funds.
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Why Has SNAP Reimbursement Stopped?
According to the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), the end of reimbursements is due to the expiration of the 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act. This federal legislation provided funding to replace stolen benefits, but with its expiration, there is no longer a mechanism in place to refund fraud victims.
“Unfortunately, there is no mechanism for reimbursement available for fraud that takes place after Dec. 20,” said Abby McClelland, CDHS Director for the Food and Energy Assistance Division. “There are other county and state programs that they can be connected with to help bridge the gap until their next round of SNAP benefits occurs, and we are working with counties to make sure they know about and are connecting people to those resources.”
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Is There Any Hope for Future Reimbursements?
At this time, only Congress can reinstate the funding necessary to resume reimbursements for stolen benefits.
“We’re not directly involved with Congress, so I don’t know what they’re doing,” McClelland said. “But they do have the ability to reinstate that funding and restart that reimbursement. That hasn’t happened yet, and there’s been no bill introduced around that.”
Until Congress acts, affected families must rely on state and county assistance programs for food aid.
Resources Available for Families Affected by SNAP Theft
While reimbursements are unavailable, there are several programs that can help bridge the gap for affected families:
- The Emergency Food Assistance Program – Provides free groceries to low-income households
- Colorado WIC – Supports women, infants, and children with nutritious food
- Hunger Free Colorado – Connects families with food resources
- 211 Colorado – A helpline offering assistance with food, housing, and other needs
How Are SNAP Benefits Being Stolen?
The leading cause of stolen SNAP benefits is card skimming, where criminals place illegal devices on ATMs and card readers at retail stores. These devices steal EBT card information, including PINs, allowing scammers to clone cards and drain funds.
According to CDHS Communications Manager for the Office of Economic Security, once an EBT card is skimmed, criminals can use it anywhere without the cardholder’s knowledge.
Preventing SNAP Theft: How to Protect Your EBT Card
CDHS recommends the following steps to safeguard your SNAP benefits:
✅ Freeze your EBT card in the ebtEDGE mobile app or Cardholder Portal to prevent unauthorized purchases
✅ Change your PIN frequently to reduce fraud risk
✅ Use complex PINs rather than simple or repeated numbers
✅ Never share your PIN or card number with anyone
✅ Report suspicious activity immediately to authorities
Can EBT Cards Be Made More Secure?
Other states, including California and Oklahoma, are updating their EBT cards with chip and tap technology to prevent skimming. This security upgrade makes it harder for criminals to steal card information.
CDHS is currently exploring this option, but McClelland warns that switching to chip and tap cards is a massive undertaking, requiring not just new cards for every SNAP household, but also software updates for retailers’ point-of-sale systems.
“It also requires a lot of work with retailers, because currently, the point-of-sales machines they use would not accept an EBT chip or tap card,” McClelland explained.
The Future of SNAP Reimbursements in Colorado
For now, SNAP recipients in Colorado must remain vigilant against card skimming fraud and seek alternative food assistance programs if their benefits are stolen. News5 will continue to follow this issue closely, providing updates if Congress moves to restore reimbursement funding.
Have You Been Affected?
If your SNAP benefits were stolen, consider reporting your case to CDHS and local law enforcement. Stay informed by following updates from News5 on this developing issue.
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