Can you go to jail for lying on your SNAP application?
Probably not—most people do not go to jail just for putting incorrect information on a SNAP application.
- But lying on your SNAP application can be considered food stamp fraud and can lead to serious consequences.
- Jail time for food stamp fraud is possible (but rare) and would probably only happen if the fraud is on purpose, involves large dollar amounts, or continues over time.
Here’s what counts as lying for SNAP, what usually happens if you’re caught committing EBT fraud, and why it’s important to be honest when you’re applying for SNAP or recertifying your benefits.
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What counts as lying to SNAP?#what-counts-as-lying-to-snap
Knowingly lying on a SNAP application is considered fraud under federal law. If you do any of the following on your SNAP application on purpose, it may be considered food stamp fraud:
- Not reporting income or hiding changes in income
- Claiming extra household members who don’t live with you or share food
- Claiming expenses you don’t have
- Applying in more than one state at the same time
“Knowingly” is the key. SNAP generally doesn’t punish people for mistakes or confusion, and many people may accidentally forget to report changes to SNAP or misunderstand SNAP rules.
If you’re not sure you put the right information on your application, you should contact your local SNAP office or ask your case manager questions during the SNAP interview.
What usually happens if someone lies on a SNAP application?#what-usually-happens-if-someone-lies-on-a-snap-application
If you lie on purpose on your SNAP application and it’s discovered, the consequences will depend on:
- Your state’s enforcement policies
- How much money was involved
- Whether it’s your first time or you’ve committed fraud before
You may experience any of the following if your state finds out you’re lying:
- Having to pay back benefits you received that you weren’t eligible for
- Reduction or loss of SNAP benefits for a period of time
- Disqualification or ban from SNAP for months, years, or in serious cases, permanently
- Fines or criminal charges in rare and serious cases
Why it’s important to tell the truth on your SNAP application#why-its-important-to-tell-the-truth-on-your-snap-application
Being honest on your SNAP application protects you, so you should always tell the truth about things like income, or the number of people in your household.
When your SNAP application is correct, you:
- Get the right benefit amount: Accurate information helps make sure you’re not underpaid or overpaid each month
- Avoid having to pay benefits back later: Overpayments often lead to repayment plans or going without benefits until the amount is repaid, which can strain your grocery budget
- Reduce the risk of losing SNAP eligibility: Fraud findings can result in temporary or permanent bans from SNAP, so telling the truth protects your future benefits
If you think you’ve provided incorrect information to SNAP, whether or not it was accidental, it’s best to tell your SNAP case worker right away. Typically, the sooner the mistake is caught, the better.
