A growing crisis in Illinois has left thousands of vulnerable families without essential food assistance as nearly $21 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have been stolen in a massive fraud wave that swept the state between October 2022 and December 2024.
According to data reported by CBS News and confirmed by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), more than 124,000 fraudulent transactions affected over 38,000 households, with $12.5 million stolen in 2024 alone, accounting for nearly 57% of total losses.
How the Fraud Happened
The fraudsters primarily targeted SNAP users through card skimming schemes. Skimming devices were placed at retail outlets and ATM machines, allowing criminals to clone information from EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards — known in Illinois as Link cards.
Unlike modern debit or credit cards that are protected with EMV chip technology, Illinois Link cards still use magnetic strips, making them easier to clone and compromise.
Victims have reported discovering their benefits drained within minutes of being deposited. In January 2025, a Chicago woman said she lost over $1,000 when her card was used six times within 43 minutes in Long Island, New York — a state she hadn’t visited. Another man reported $698 in SNAP benefits stolen, used across businesses in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
A Federal Reimbursement Program Expired
What’s made matters worse is the expiration of a federal reimbursement program that was helping victims recover stolen benefits. As of December 20, 2024, states are no longer federally mandated to replace stolen SNAP funds.
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) confirmed that it has no authority or funding to reimburse victims now that federal backing has ended.
This has sparked outrage among affected families and advocacy groups, as many rely on SNAP to feed their children, buy essential groceries, and maintain a basic standard of living.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Benefits
In response to the fraud, IDHS and federal agencies are advising SNAP recipients to take immediate steps to protect their benefits:
- Change your PIN regularly (recommended monthly).
- Use the card lock feature when not making purchases.
- Disable out-of-state transactions, if not traveling.
- Monitor your balance and transaction history frequently.
Future Plans to Strengthen SNAP Security
Illinois is preparing to join the USDA’s Mobile Payment Pilot in 2025. The pilot program will allow recipients to use mobile wallets (similar to Apple Pay or Google Pay) for SNAP purchases, reducing reliance on physical cards vulnerable to skimming.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees SNAP at the federal level, has also pledged to work with states to increase awareness and implement modernized card security in the future. Learn more about this pilot and national SNAP efforts on the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website.
National Crisis: A Growing Threat
This problem isn’t unique to Illinois. Across the United States, more than $220 million in SNAP benefits have been reported stolen since 2022. Many advocacy groups are urging Congress to reinstate federal reimbursements and require states to upgrade their EBT systems.
The SNAP program supports over 42 million Americans and is a vital part of the nation’s effort to combat food insecurity. According to Feeding America, SNAP reduces poverty and hunger more effectively than any other federal nutrition program.
What Should Victims Do Now?
Unfortunately, Illinois residents whose benefits were stolen after December 20, 2024, may have no way to recover their losses under the current policy. However, victims are still encouraged to report fraud immediately:
- Call the Illinois Link Help Line at 1-800-678-5465
- Report online through the Illinois DHS Report Fraud portal
- File a local police report for documentation
- Contact your local legal aid or advocacy groups for support
Final Thoughts
The SNAP fraud crisis has exposed significant weaknesses in how government benefits are administered and protected. With tens of millions lost and thousands of families affected, there is growing pressure on both state and federal lawmakers to act quickly — ensuring that vulnerable Americans are not punished twice: once by criminals, and again by the system meant to protect them.
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