GEORGIA — GBPI Responds to Congressional Vote on the American Relief Act, 2025
Today Congress passed a disaster relief package; a one-year extension of the farm bill, which authorizes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and many agriculture programs; and a clean extension of current funding levels until March 14, 2025, through a Continuing Resolution (CR). While the CR allows the government to continue to run, this version of the legislation does not include an extension of SNAP replacement benefits for victims of SNAP theft.
Statement from GBPI President and CEO Staci Fox:
The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute believes that last-minute threats of shutting down the federal government go beyond the bounds of legislative negotiating tactics and equate to playing politics with the economic security of millions of people across the country. GBPI applauds the inclusion of a disaster relief package in the Continuing Resolution. Georgians, especially those reliant on the agriculture economy, were hit hard by Hurricane Helene and deserve the support of their government to rebuild.
Across the U.S., scammers have stolen SNAP benefits from clients through fraudulent means such as using skimming devices on card readers. Unlike traditional debit cards, Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards used by SNAP clients lack robust security protection, and victims of fraud do not have other means of repayment.
Stolen SNAP benefits are a growing problem in the state. According to a November media report, Georgia’s Division of Family and Children Services verified 14,000 cases of stolen benefits and paid out more than $6 million in replacement benefits. Those numbers have certainly grown in the past month.
“Congress’ exclusion of SNAP replacement benefits will cause harm to victims of SNAP EBT theft,” says Ife Finch Floyd, the Director of Economic Justice at GBPI. “Without an extension of these critical resources, families with children, the elderly and people with disabilities who have had their benefits stolen will have no way to have their SNAP assistance restored. This impairs their ability to meet their basic needs right before the holidays.”
