SNAP Benefits Update: How to Request for a Hearing if You Disagree With a Decision on Your SNAP Case

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) oversees SNAP, but each state determines eligibility and delivers the monthly SNAP benefits.

Most SNAP benefits' cases and applications are being handled by local SNAP office caseworkers. SNAP recipients who believe their cases have not been handled correctly have the right to a hearing.

A person not involved in the recipients or applicants' case will review it during the hearing. They will look and study the facts fairly and fix any mistakes. Concerned recipients can request a hearing by going to their local SNAP office, calling the office, or send a written request.

The contact information of your state can be found on the FNS' SNAP State Directory of Resources. SNAP beneficiaries can request a fair hearing within 90 days of the day your local SNAP office made the decision in your case that you disagree with.

SNAP Benefits Decision

A fair hearing will not change the laws or rulings governing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), but it can ensure that your case decisions have been made correctly.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture noted that SNAP benefits are available to all eligible households regardless of race, sex, religious affiliation, national origin or political beliefs. The department is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, and marital and family status.

Persons with disabilities can ask for an alternative means of communication of program information such as Braille, large print and audiotape, among others. If you believe that you have been a victim of discrimination when filing for SNAP benefits, you can file for a complaint of discrimination.

SNAP discrimination happens when someone's application, benefit determination, or ability to use their benefits is negatively affected based on aforementioned categories.

SNAP Benefits Case

There are different ways to file a complaint. Recipients or applicants can complete the U.S. Agriculture Department's complaint form. The form can be accomplished online or have it printed out and be filled out by hand.

After filing up the form, you can mail it to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410.

The form can also be faxed to (833) 265-1665 or emailed to program.intake@usda.gov. SNAP beneficiaries can also file other forms of complaint, such as SNAP benefits trafficking complaint, wherein SNAP benefits are exchanged for cash.

This exchange is considered a criminal offense, and those who commit it can be prosecuted. Buying, selling, or stealing an EBT card is also considered as SNAP benefits trafficking, including buying food or other eligible items with an EBT card and reselling the goods.

Anyone can contact the Office of the Inspector General if they suspect an individual or retailer practicing SNAP benefits trafficking. They can file the case through the web, by phone at (800) 424-9121, via fax at (202) 690-2474, or through U.S. mail using the following details: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General, P.O. Box 23399, Washington, D.C. 20026-3399.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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