H.R. 3887 — SNAP Anti-Theft and Victim Compensation Act of 2025

This section establishes coordination authority for the Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture to investigate and lead multi-jurisdictional efforts to prevent, detect, and prosecute theft, misuse, or fraudulent access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, including cyber-enabled theft (i.e., skimming, cloning, phishing, spoofing, and unauthorized access to electronic benefit transfer (EBT) systems). Such authority includes (1) issuing subpoenas, executing warrants, and initiating civil or criminal referrals; (2) coordinating with the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, Secret Service, state and local law enforcement, and financial institutions; (3) requesting and receiving data from state EBT processors and vendors; and (4) participating in interagency cyber task forces or fraud detection initiatives. The Secretary of Agriculture may issue rules and allocate funds to support these activities.

This section establishes authority for states to reimburse households for stolen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits using program funds when theft occurs due to no fault of the household (e.g., via skimming, cloning, or other unauthorized electronic transfers). Reimbursements must follow Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidance and do not affect the household's monthly allotment or ongoing eligibility. The USDA must (1) provide technical assistance to states for fraud detection and claims validation, (2) maintain a centralized reporting database for benefit theft incidents, (3) require states to submit annual data on benefit theft and reimbursements, (4) promulgate regulations as necessary, and (5) review the necessity of this authority once all states have upgraded to secure payment technologies.

This section establishes a civil penalty under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 for any person who knowingly accesses, uses, or transfers Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits issued to a household without authorization, in an amount equal to twice the value of the benefits stolen. The Secretary of Agriculture may assess and enforce the penalty through an administrative proceeding under section 14 or a civil action in U.S. district court, with recovered funds used to reimburse victims of benefit theft and support enhanced investigatory authority of the Department of Agriculture Inspector General; the penalty applies in addition to any other civil or criminal penalties.