SNAP benefit theft has been on the rise in recent years across the U.S., compounded by many Americans struggling to put food on the table. Even more so prior to the government shutdown. Many people fall victim to their benefits being stolen soon after their benefits enter the account. Through the use of skimming devices, they’ll steal information that allows them to access said benefits, like it did to one woman in Colorado.
When TikToker Mya went to check the balance of her EBT card just before settling on pizza that night, she found the account was drained completely. Not a single cent was left. Naturally, Mya was incredibly frustrated. Even worse, she learned, to her surprise, her card was apparently used just 45 minutes from where she lives. In a panic, Mya called her local food stamp office so she could figure out what she could do.
She was already worried about how she would feed her family for the entirety of December, without those benefits. According to Mya, the office told her what many offices across the U.S. tell victims of fraud: “They don’t reimburse people anymore for stolen food stamps,” because the card was considered “compromised.”
Mya pointed out her family “literally almost starved last month” because of the government shutdown. Now, during a giving month when you want to provide the most for your family, she’s facing starvation. Like so many other Americans, Mya is facing unimaginable struggles in a country where this shouldn’t even be a concern.
The comments were overwhelmingly in support of Mya. One of whom told her she lived nearby and could “get you enough food to get through the month,” plus assist her two weeks later.
“People that have full time jobs go through the same thing,” said another. Somehow, Walmart and Amazon have workforces with some of the highest SNAP recipients. How does that add up when these are multi-billion and multi-trillion dollar companies?
Others chose to dogpile Mya, insisting that by helping her, they were “enabling enablers.” As if stuff like this never happens. What’s sad is looking at someone clearly distraught and thinking there are ulterior motives. That’s a miserable way to live. As one commenter pointed out, Mya “applied for those foodstamps” and the state deemed her “qualified” to receive benefits.
“The amount of ignorance on this comment thread is exactly why we have an Oompa Loompa for Prez,” said another of President Trump. Mind you, his administration was adamant they couldn’t use reserve funds for SNAP during the government shutdown.
