Report Fraud

Report Fraud

Fraud includes concealing or not reporting information to receive ineligible public assistance benefits (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program, and Kinship Care Subsidy Program) and Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits.

How Can I Report Fraud?

The agency relies on retailers and the public to report the misuse of benefits.

If you suspect someone is illegally receiving public assistance benefits or is illegally using an EBT card:

Call (toll-free): 888-LAHELP-U (888-524-3578). Select option 6 from the main menu.

Online: Complete an online fraud complaint

Email: [email protected]

Write:
LDH Fraud
PO Box 91147
Baton Rouge, LA 70821

If you suspect retailers are accepting food stamp benefits for unauthorized items (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets), contact the USDA Food and Nutrition Services Compliance Section:

Call:

800-424-9121

202-690-1622

202-690-1202 (TDD)

Email:

Email [email protected]

Visit Online:

USDA website

Write:

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of Inspector General
P.O. Box 23399
Washington, D.C. 20026-3399

Fraud Complaint Form

Please complete an ONLINE FRAUD COMPLAINT if you suspect a recipient is abusing public assistance (food stamps, child care, cash assistance, etc.), or if you suspect a retailer is purchasing food stamp benefits. To ensure that your complaint can be processed and/or investigated thoroughly, please provide as much information as possible.

To report your complaint directly to a Fraud & Recovery representative, you may call 888-LAHELP-U (888-524-3578) and select option 6 from the main menu.

Note: All fields marked with an asterisk ( * ) must be filled out for the complaint to be processed.

Examples of Fraud

The following are examples of things that people conceal or do not report to receive ineligible public assistance benefits:

Someone in the home beginning to work or quitting work
Actual earnings or income of all household members
Self-employment or doing odd jobs without reporting the income
Ownership of property
Money in the bank
Unearned income such as social security, child support, unemployment
compensation or veterans' benefits for any household members
Everyone living in the home
Someone moving in or out of the home
Receiving assistance in one parish while living in another parish or state
Receiving assistance in more than one parish or state

Penalties

If you knowingly report incorrect information, your SNAP benefits or cash assistance may be denied, reduced, or ended and you may be subject to criminal prosecution.

What penalties apply in SNAP?

If you do the following:	You will:
Hide information or give false information Trade or sell SNAP benefits or EBT cards Use SNAP benefits to buy ineligible items, which includes alcohol, soft drinks, energy drinks, tobacco, hot food, candy and any food sold for onpremises consumption. This includes in-store and online purchases. Nonfood items are also not allowed. Use someone else’s SNAP benefits Pay for food purchased on credit with SNAP benefits	Lose your SNAP benefits for: 1 year for the first violation 2 years for the second violation Permanently for the third violation You may also be fined up to $250,000 or imprisoned for up to 20 years or both.
Trade SNAP benefits for illegal drugs	Lose your SNAP benefits for: 2 years for the first violation Permanently for the second violation
Trade SNAP benefits for firearms, ammunition, or explosives Trade, buy, or sell SNAP benefits of $500 or more	Lose your SNAP benefits permanently
Give false information about who you are or where you live in order to receive benefits in more than one case at the same time	Lose your SNAP benefits for 10 years

What penalties apply in FITAP and KCSP?

If you do the following:	You will:
Hide information or give false information	Lose your benefits for: 1 year for the first violation 2 years for the second violation Permanently for the third violation You may also be fined up to $50,000 or imprisoned for up to 20 years or both.
Use your EBT card: in a liquor store, in a gambling casino or gaming establishment, in a retail establishment that provides adult entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state for entertainment purposes, at any adult bookstore, any adult paraphernalia store, or any sexually oriented business, at any tattoo, piercing, or commercial body art facility, at any nail salon, at any jewelry store, at any amusement or video arcade, at any bail bonds company, at any night club, bar, tavern, or saloon, on any cruise ship, at any psychic business; or at any establishment where persons under age 18 are not permitted, or at an ATM in any of these establishments.  Use your EBT card: at any retailer for the purchase of an alcoholic beverage, at any retailer for the purchase of tobacco products, or at any retailer for the purchase of lottery tickets, at any retailer for the purchase of jewelry.	Lose your benefits for: 1 year for the first violation 2 years for the second violation Permanently for the third violation
Give false information about where you live in order to receive benefits in two or more states at the same time	Lose your benefits for 10 years

Investigating Fraud

LDH Economic Stability offices are responsible for assisting needy individuals and are committed to maintaining the integrity of administered programs. Equally important is the agency's role in ensuring that the fraudulent receipt of such benefits is detected and that appropriate measures are taken to terminate ineligible cases and to recover ineligible benefits.

LDH is charged with the primary responsibility for fraud detection and recovery of ineligible benefits. This section is also responsible for the collection of overpayments to both recipients and providers.