🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
SNAP recipients in Maryland may receive a welcome boost to their benefits if they have been a victim of welfare theft, government officials have said.
The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) has revealed it will widen the program that reimburses stolen food and cash assistance, according to an internal memo sent to staff. The change means many more SNAP recipients in the state can now claim back losses after being a victim of fraud.
The change comes after local advocates and lawmakers disagreed with the way the department interpreted state law. The DHS reportedly interpreted it to apply only to a retroactive reimbursement period from January 1, 2021, to October 1, 2022.
The memo, obtained by local news outlets The Baltimore Banner and WMAR2 News, says that "the department will restore cash and SNAP benefits not covered by the federal program and stolen after October 1, 2022." It also outlines that stolen SNAP and cash claims will not be subject to previous restrictions that outlined when a theft should be reported, the number of claims that can be made, or the total amount stolen.
The former rules meant many victims could only be reimbursed for part of their loss, but the DHS's enhanced state program will rectify this.
Following the change, a department spokesperson told The Baltimore Banner: "We have been committed from the beginning to making sure that families whose benefits have been stolen by thieves are able to get the help allowed by federal and state law." Newsweek has contacted the Maryland DHS via email for comment.
In another statement seen by WMAR2 News, the DHS clarified that "customers whose claims were denied previously or were issued a partial replacement do not need to file a new claim to obtain a retroactive reimbursement."
It continues: "The department is currently reviewing all denied SNAP and cash assistance claims submitted between March 1, 2023 and January 31, 2024 and will credit households deemed eligible for additional food and cash assistance benefits."
Vanessa Fleeton, a Baltimore resident, had $2,000 worth of benefits stolen, but under previous rules, she only had $46 reimbursed to her. According to The Baltimore Banner, it took six months for Fleeton to be paid back in full.
According to WMAR2 News, Fleeton said: "So I'm thinking I'm going to get reimbursed for everything that was stolen and then once they denied it they sent me some paperwork saying, no, the law says you're only supposed to get up to two months and your two months was $46."
"They recognized it and I'm so happy they realized there is room for improvement and we made an error. So I'm happy because this is going to affect other people so that lets me know it wasn't just about me."
About the writer
Aliss Higham is a Newsweek reporter based in Glasgow, Scotland. Her focus is reporting on Social Security, other government benefits ... Read more