HOUSTON – A single mother in Houston now has to find another way to feed her three children after someone stole her SNAP benefits on Monday.
In Texas, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits are electronically loaded onto a Lonestar card for low-income families to buy food.
SNAP is a federal program that’s operated in each state.
When Claudette Merchance went to H-E-B on Monday to buy food, she was floored to find out her card was declined at the checkout.
After all, she just received her monthly deposit of nearly $700 at midnight.
“I said, you got to be kidding me,“ Merchant said. ”$5 on my card. I thought he meant $500, but $5. That’s crazy.”
The money did hit her account on time, but by lunch the same day, three big transactions wiped her out, leaving her a whopping $6.
But here’s the thing. She didn’t buy anything, someone else did.
Somehow, someone accessed her account information and drained the money the government provides to help feed her kids.
Gage Goulding: “What goes through your head in that moment that, oh my God, there’s $6 on the card?”
Claudette Merchant: “I’ve been scammed or somebody stole my stuff.”
Gage Goulding: “Has it become increasingly more difficult recently?”
Claudette Merchant: “Yes, every day.”
Gage Goulding: “How is that stressful?”
Claudette Merchant: “Every day. And excuse me, I don’t mean to cry, but it’s hard for single parents, especially single mothers that don’t have help like they’re supposed to.”
This isn’t the first time this has happened. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission calls this act “SNAP Skimming.”
The state agency even has a page on its website dedicated to the problem.
But here’s the thing.
SNAP funds that are stolen after December 2024 aren’t able to be replaced.
“SNAP benefits that were stolen on or after Dec. 21, 2024, are not eligible for replacement. The Federal law that allowed replacement was not extended beyond Dec. 20, 2024,” a HHS spokesperson told KPRC 2.
Gage Goulding: “It sounds like you’re not getting that money back.”
Claudette Merchant: “That’s what it sounds like.”
Gage Goulding: “Is that an answer? Is that a resolution?”
Claudette Merchant: “Nope. And that’s wrong, and that’s why it’s so much fraud because no one’s doing nothing about it.
The money is gone.
She canceled her current Lonestar card and ordered a new one, which you’re supposed to do.
However, her problem continues. How is she going to feed her three kids with just $6 this month?
“It shouldn’t have been done and it means that they don’t care and it’s just senseless. That’s bad, it is wrong,” she said.
