[Self-sufficiencypartners] ATTN: SNAP replacement benefits plan for victims of electronic theft begins May 22

[Mayers Misha]

Hello Self-Sufficiency and Food Program Partners,



We are excited to announce that the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has been approved by the federal government to begin replacing stolen SNAP benefits.



Starting May 22, ODHS will begin replacing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits for victims of electronic theft who have had benefits stolen from their Electrotonic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. Electronic theft includes card skimming<https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/safety-resources/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/skimming>, card cloning and other similar methods.



What you need to know:

  *   ODHS is approved to replace SNAP benefits that were stolen electronically on or after Oct. 1, 2022. ODHS cannot replace benefits that were stolen before Oct. 1, 2022.
  *   Beginning May 22, people in Oregon whose SNAP benefits were stolen should request replacement benefits immediately.
  *   People who know their SNAP benefits were stolen between Oct. 1, 2022, and May 22, 2023, must request replacement benefits by June 21, 2023.
  *   People who discover their SNAP benefits were stolen after May 22 will have 30 days from the date they discover the theft to request replacement benefits.

ODHS is using the next two weeks to communicate with the public leading up to the program's start on May 22 to ensure SNAP recipients who have been victims of electronic fraud can get the replacement benefits they qualify for. Tomorrow we will send out a press release, update the website<https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/assistance/food-benefits/pages/replacement%20-benefits.aspx>, and begin social media sharing.



Right now, the most important thing SNAP recipients can do if they suspect their benefits have been skimmed is to cancel their card immediately, requesting a new card number and PIN. Beginning May 22, they can also request replacement benefits online, by phone, or by visiting a local office.



Once the new replacement form is available, details will be provided to our partners and added to the website<https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/assistance/food-benefits/pages/replacement%20-benefits.aspx> in English, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Nepali, Vietnamese, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese.



Thank you for helping us roll out communications to SNAP recipients so they can get their skimmed benefits replaced!



Vanessa A. Vanderzee

Communications Officer | Self-Sufficiency Programs

Oregon Department of Human Services

Pronouns: she/her/they/them

Cell: (503) 877-7901
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/self-sufficiencypartners/attachments/20230508/4a6623c6/attachment.html>