"This year alone, thousands of low-income New Yorkers have had benefits stolen from their EBT cards, which allow them to buy food at certain stores. "It was very hard," one victim told City Limits after having her SNAP account drained three separate times. In just a year, Theresa Price has had her food assistance money-which she qualifies for under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-stolen three times. Each time it happened, it left her with $292 less to eat that month."
"She and other victims are now left with little to no recourse: the federal government stopped accepting reimbursement claims at the end of September, and only for thefts that took place before Dec. 21, 2024. Lawmakers in Congress failed to renew the replacement benefits. New York has been a nest for EBT "skimming," in which hidden devices steal payment information after someone swipes their card. According to the state's Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), which administers SNAP in New York, $51.8 million was paid in reimbursements from Aug. 23, 2023, through June 30, 2025."
Thousands of low-income New Yorkers experienced thefts from Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards this year, leaving many unable to purchase food. One recipient lost $292 on three separate occasions and borrowed money to cover missing benefits. Federal reimbursement coverage ended, leaving thefts after the cutoff ineligible for replacement and reducing victims' recourse. New York has seen extensive EBT "skimming," where hidden devices capture card data at checkout. The state's Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance reported $51.8 million paid in reimbursements between Aug. 23, 2023 and June 30, 2025, and $14.5 million reported stolen in the first half of this year.
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