218 R.I. Code R. 218-RICR-20-00-1.9

Current through December 3, 2024

Section 218-RICR-20-00-1.9 - Intentional Program Violations

A. The Office of Internal Audit is responsible for investigating any case of alleged intentional program violation and ensuring that appropriate cases are acted upon, either through Administrative Disqualification Hearings or referral to a court of appropriate jurisdiction, in accordance with the procedures outlined in this Section.

1. Administrative disqualification procedures or referral for prosecution action must be initiated whenever there is sufficient documentary evidence to substantiate that an individual has intentionally committed one (1) or more acts of intentional program violation as defined in § 1.9(A)(3) of this Part.

a. If the Office of Internal Audit does not initiate administrative disqualification procedures or refer for prosecution a case involving an over-issuance caused by a suspected act of intentional program violation, an Inadvertent Household Error (IHE) claim is established against the household in accordance with the procedures in § 1.17 of this Part.

2. The household is informed, in writing, of the disqualification penalties for committing intentional program violation each time it applies for program benefits. The penalties are written in clear, prominent and boldface lettering on the application form.

3. Disqualification penalties under § 15(b)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 shall be imposed as follows:

a. Any member of a household who knowingly uses, transfers, acquires, alters or possess coupons, authorization cards, or access devices in any manner contrary to the Regulations of the Act, can be barred from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for one (1) year to permanently. The individual may also be fined up to two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00), imprisoned up to twenty (20) years, or both.

b. They may also be subject to prosecution under other applicable Federal and State laws.

c. They may also be barred from the SNAP for an additional eighteen (18) months if court ordered. Individuals found to have committed an intentional program violation, either through an administrative disqualification hearing, or by a Federal, State, or local court, or who have signed a waiver of right to an administrative disqualification hearing shall be ineligible to participate in the program:

(1) For a period of one (1) year for the first (1st) violation, with the exceptions in §§ 1.9(A)(3)(g), (h), (i), (j) and (l) of this Part;

(2) For a period of two (2) years for the second (2nd) violation, with the exceptions in §§ 1.9(A)(3)(g), (h), (i), (j) and (l) of this Part; and,

(3) Permanently for the third (3rd) occasion of any intentional program violation.

d. Individuals found by a Federal, State, or local court to have used or received SNAP benefits in a transaction involving the sale of a controlled substance (as defined in the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. § 802) shall be ineligible for SNAP benefits:

(1) For a period of two (2) years for the first (1st) occasion of such violation; and

(2) Permanently upon the second (2nd) occasion of such violation.

e. Individuals found by a Federal, State, or local court to have used or received SNAP benefits in a transaction involving the sale of firearms, ammunition, or explosives shall be permanently disqualified from the SNAP.

f. Individuals convicted of trafficking SNAP benefits for an aggregate amount of five hundred dollars ($500.00) or more shall be permanently disqualified from the SNAP upon the first (1st) occasion of such violation. Trafficking means:

(1) The buying, selling, stealing, or otherwise effecting an exchange of SNAP benefits issued and accessed via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, card numbers and personal identification numbers (PINs), or by manual voucher and signature, for cash or consideration other than eligible food, either directly, indirectly, in complicity or collusion with others, or acting alone;

(2) The exchange of firearms, ammunition, explosives, or controlled substances, as defined in 21 U.S.C. § 802, for SNAP benefits;

(3) Purchasing a product with SNAP benefits that has a container requiring a return deposit with the intent of obtaining cash by discarding the product and returning the container for the deposit amount, intentionally discarding the product, and intentionally returning the container for the deposit amount;

(4) Purchasing a product with SNAP benefits with the intent of obtaining cash or consideration other than eligible food by reselling the product, and subsequently intentionally reselling the product purchased with SNAP benefits in exchange for cash or consideration other than eligible food; or

(5) Intentionally purchasing products originally purchased with SNAP benefits in exchange for cash or consideration other than eligible food.

g. Individuals found by the Department of having made, or convicted in a Federal or State court, of having made a fraudulent statement or representation with respect to their identity or place of residence in order to receive multiple benefits simultaneously under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program shall be ineligible to participate in the program for a ten (10) year period.

h. Individuals disqualified from the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) for an intentional program violation as described in this Section, have the same disqualification imposed on the member of the household under SNAP.

(1) In instances where the disqualification is a reciprocal action based on disqualification from the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, the length of disqualification shall mirror the period prescribed by the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.

(2) Dual participation in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations and SNAP shall not be permitted.

i. Individuals found guilty by a court of law for buying and selling illegal drugs or certain prescription drugs in exchange for SNAP benefits will be prohibited from participating in the SNAP for twenty- four (24) months for the first (1st) offense and permanently for the second (2nd) offense.

j. Individuals convicted of Federal aggravated sexual abuse, murder, sexual exploitation and abuse of children, sexual assault, or similar State laws, and who are also not in compliance with the terms of their sentence or parole, or are a fleeing felon, shall be prohibited from receiving SNAP benefits.

4. If a court fails to impose a disqualification period for the intentional program violation, the agency must impose the disqualification period penalties specified in this Section unless it is contrary to the court order. The agency must disqualify only the individual found to have committed intentional program violation or who signed the waiver of right to an administrative disqualification hearing, and not the entire household.

a. Even though only the individual is disqualified, the household is responsible for making restitution for the amount of the over issuance. All intentional program violation claims shall be established and collected in accordance with § 1.17 of this Part.

B. The hearing authority shall base the determination of intentional program violation on clear and convincing evidence which demonstrates that the household member(s) committed, and intended to commit, an intentional program violation as defined in § 1.9(C) of this Part.

C. Intentional Program violations shall consist of having intentionally as defined in 7 C.F.R. § 273.16(c):

1. Made a false or misleading statement, or misrepresented, concealed or withheld facts; or

2. Committed any act that constitutes a violation of SNAP, this Part, or any State statute for the purpose of using, presenting, transferring, acquiring, receiving, possessing or trafficking of coupons, authorization cards or reusable documents used as part of an automated benefit delivery system (access device).

218 R.I. Code R. 218-RICR-20-00-1.9

Amended effective 4/4/2019
Amended effective 12/24/2019
Amended effective 8/1/2021
Amended effective 9/23/2021
Amended Effective 12/4/2021
Amended effective 11/10/2022
Amended effective 1/1/2023
Amended effective 5/14/2023
Amended effective 10/1/2023
Amended effective 12/15/2023
Amended effective 9/22/2024
Amended effective 10/1/2024
Amended effective 10/24/2024