Food assistance recipients who have experienced electronic theft of their benefits will be eligible for federal reimbursement until December 20, 2024. This extension follows a previous deadline of September 30, 2024.

In December 2022, Congress enacted legislation to safeguard and replace Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits stolen through methods such as card skimming and cloning. Initially, the law covered thefts occurring between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2024.

However, on September 25, 2024, the United States Congress passed a Continuing Resolution that extended the federal authority to replace these stolen or skimmed benefits until December 20, 2024.

Niki Kozlowski, director of the Income Support Division of HCA, emphasized the importance of vigilance among SNAP customers: “We are focused on helping our customers protect and use their SNAP benefits. We urge all SNAP customers to monitor their account, use their benefits, and change their account PIN regularly.”

To qualify for benefit replacement due to theft occurring between October 1, 2022, and December 20, 2024, requests must be submitted within thirty days from when the theft is discovered. Thefts happening on or after December 21 will not be eligible for replacement.

HCA advises SNAP customers to report fraud incidents to local law enforcement and offers guidance on avoiding card skimmers and theft. They also provide information in English and Spanish with interpretation services available in multiple languages through CTS Language Link. Relay New Mexico supports hearing or speech-impaired individuals by offering equal communication access via telephone.