Fraud guide
SNAP fraud
The Justice Department has described SNAP fraud as a covered example in its early tip reward, and it has prosecuted false household reports used to obtain benefits.
What a public case described
On December 18, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire announced that Ryan Leblanc, 37, pleaded guilty to making false statements, in a scheme to obtain more than $118,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and child care benefits. Sentencing was scheduled for March 31, 2025. This page does not report a sentence, because the release does not. 1 Source 1
The release says Leblanc lived with the mother of his children but told the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services that she was an absent parent and had not lived with him for several years. He applied for SNAP and child care benefits several times between March 2019 and December 2023, omitted her from the household, and underreported household income and resources. The release says that made him ineligible for the benefits he received. 1 Source 1
The charge of false statements, the release says, provides for up to 5 years in prison, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. That is the statutory exposure stated in the plea release, not an imposed sentence. 1 Source 1
Which published programs may apply
The Fraud Division FAQ lists fraud on Department of Agriculture programs, and gives the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program as the example, among the subjects that can qualify for the $10,000 to $30,000 early reward. Payment is in the Department’s discretion after charges are unsealed. There is no minimum loss. 2 Source 2
SNAP benefits are federal program funds administered with states. A false claim for federal money can also be analyzed under the False Claims Act. The New Hampshire release is a criminal false-statements plea, not a qui tam settlement. The two statutes are different tools. 1 Source 1 3 Source 3
Where to report
The Department’s published portal for the fraud reward is America.gov/fraud. The Civil Division also describes a report to the relevant inspector general. The Leblanc investigation, the release says, was led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. This site does not take the report. 1 Source 1 4 Source 4 5 Source 5
Questions readers ask
Is retailer trafficking the only SNAP scheme prosecutors describe?
No. The New Hampshire release describes a household that obtained benefits by omitting a member and underreporting income. Other schemes exist. This page only describes the conduct in the release it cites. 1 Source 1
Sources
- Franklin Man Pleads Guilty to Making False Statements to Steal Over $118,000 in Welfare Benefits, December 18, 2024 U.S. Department of Justice
- Criminal Tip Rewards Pilot Program, frequently asked questions U.S. Department of Justice
- The False Claims Act, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice
- America.gov/fraud reporting page America.gov
- Report Fraud Against the Federal Government, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice