Skip to content

IDOA Rights and Responsibilities

SNAP – Rights & Responsibilities

Required to be read verbally to all applicants/recipients at time of application and recertification.

  • Remember to be truthful on your application and during your interview. Providing false information in order to receive benefits or to receive increased benefits is considered fraud.
  • If we find that you knowingly provided false information, your benefits may be denied or cancelled. You can be fined or criminally prosecuted under Federal or State laws.
  • Trafficking is the exchange of SNAP benefits for cash or any other item not authorized for purchase with SNAP benefits. SNAP benefits may only be used at an approved SNAP retailer for SNAP eligible items.
  • At any time, government officials, investigators and/or Quality Control will be checking your information. Failing to cooperate may result in your case being closed.
  • If you received benefits to which you were not entitled, you will have to pay DFR back. If you do not repay, DFR can intercept your tax refunds, Social Security or turn the claim over to a collection agency.
  • Simplified Reporting rules require that you report when your income exceeds 130% of the federal poverty level by the 10th of the month following the The income limit for your assistance group is indicated on your approval notice. (For instance: assistance group of one, income limit is $1632. In November, you got a raise at work and now your income is $1700 per month. This must be reported by Dec. 10 to avoid a benefit overpayment, which you would be required to pay back.)
  • Once a year in the middle of your certification period, we will need to update your case. You will be mailed an interim report in the 5th month of your certification period. You must return a complete report which means all questions are answered, form must be signed, and you must provide any verifications that might be required (such as a verification of a change in income or address) and return by the due date or it is considered incomplete and your SNAP benefits could end. If you need assistance in completing this report, please call DFR before the deadline at 1-800-403-0864.
  • If an individual voluntarily quits a job of 30 or more hours per week, or voluntarily reduces work hours to less than 30 per week, without good cause or is terminated from a job for disciplinary reasons, it may affect your eligibility or the amount of benefits you receive.
  • You are required to report when you receive substantial lottery or gambling winnings. Substantial winnings would be equal to or greater than $4250 before taxes or other amounts are These winnings must be reported within 10 days of the end of the month in which the winnings were received.

If there is an Able Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) in the Assistance Group:

  • ABAWDs who are employed are required to report when their employment hours decrease below 80 per month. The decrease must be reported by the 10th of the month following the change.(For instance, hours dropped from 80 to 75 in November, change must be reported to DFR by December 10).

EBT theft is a known issue. The only way to protect your benefits from being stolen is to create a ConnectEBT account and keep your card locked at all times except when making a purchase. Instructions can be found at https://www.in.gov/fssa/dfr/snap-benefit-fraud-by-card-skimming/.