Food Stamp Investigation Letter in New York

A letter in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx & Staten Island

Did you receive a food stamp investigation letter? If so, the Bureau of Fraud Investigation thinks that you lied about your family's income to get SNAP benefits.

By the time you get this letter, they are already done with the first step of their investigation. They have enough information to push this case to the next step - contacting you.

Now the investigators are reaching out to you. They are looking to get the final bits of information for completing their case against you.

What you do next really matters.

If you've received such a letter, the most important thing to do is to not panic and not contact the investigator directly. Instead, it's crucial to understand what the letter means and consult with a food stamp fraud investigation lawyer.

If you would like to discuss your investigation letter with me personally, feel free to call me anytime at 212-233-1233. I am a private attorney. I don't work for the government. Everything you say to me is confidential by law.

The letter mentions potential "criminal prosecution." This is not an empty threat and can lead to arrest and criminal prosecution. Investigators can refer your case to the District Attorney's office if they believe they have evidence of intentional fraud. Statements you make and documents you provide without legal guidance can be used to build a criminal case against you. If you are handling this investigation alone, you may be taking a risk.

Below is the standard text of a food stamp investigation letter with a detailed explanation of each section:

Who Sent You This Letter

NYC Department of Social Services
Human Resources Administration
Office of Program Accountability

INVESTIGATION, REVENUE AND ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION
Bureau of Fraud Investigation
375 Pearl Street, 22nd Floor, NY, NY 10038

Dear Sir or Madam:

What This Means: This letter comes from the Bureau of Fraud Investigation, a specialized unit within NYC's Department of Social Services that investigates potential fraud in benefit programs. The formal letterhead is designed to convey authority and the serious nature of the investigation.

What You Should Know: The Bureau of Fraud Investigation is separate from the regular benefits offices. Their sole purpose is to investigate potential fraud, not to help with your benefits. They have investigators with specialized training in detecting fraud and building cases.

Why They're Writing to You

This office is conducting an investigation that may lead to a finding that you owe money. Please read this letter completely and with care, so that you understand your rights.

What This Means: This is a clear statement that you're under investigation and may be required to repay benefits. The mention of "your rights" is a legal formality that acknowledges you have certain protections during this process.

What You Should Know: This investigation is already underway, and they likely have gathered some evidence before contacting you. The phrase "may lead to a finding that you owe money" is understated—these investigations often result in demands for repayment or worse.

What They Think You Did Wrong

This investigation is about your Supplemental Assistance Program (Snap), Medicaid or Child Health Plus (CHIP) Medical Assistance/Family Health Plus (MA/FHP) Benefits. This is based on information we have showing that you or someone in your household:

• Did not report someone in your household
• Did not report assets
• Did not report income
• Is employed and makes money you did not tell us about
• Owns property you did not tell us about
• Receives rental income you did not tell us about
• Did not report the correct residence

What This Means: This section outlines the specific programs under investigation and the general allegations against you. The letter typically lists all possible violations, even if only one or two apply to your case.

What You Should Know: The investigators already have specific information about your case, but they're not sharing the details with you. This vague list is designed to get you to volunteer information. They may have evidence about one issue (like unreported income) but hope you'll reveal information about other potential violations.

What They Want

We scheduled an interview for you to discuss this matter with us.

Please bring your Photo ID card, this letter and the following document(s):
Bring in proof of Identity and NYC residency
Birth certificate
Marriage Certificate
Mortgage documents
School letter
Income tax documents
Pay stubs last 4 pay stubs
Deed to property
Utility bills

If you need more time to find these documents or need to reschedule the interview, call the investigator.

What This Means: The investigators want to interview you and collect documents that could provide evidence for their case. They're requesting a wide range of personal and financial documents to verify your eligibility for benefits.

What You Should Know: This interview is designed to gather evidence against you. The documents requested could be used to prove you received benefits you weren't entitled to. Attending this interview without legal representation is risky, as investigators are trained to elicit incriminating information.

The offer to reschedule is not as accommodating as it seems—they're simply ensuring you can't claim you didn't have enough time to prepare.

Important Warnings

IMPORTANT NOTICE

You can bring a Food stamp fraud lawyer or another representative to assist you in resolving this matter. You can contact your bar association or a legal services organization to seek free legal representation.

You are entitled to interpretation assistance. Please let us know if you would like us to provide an interpreter in the language that you request.

You may answer questions or choose not to say anything. If you do answer questions, your benefits cannot be stopped or reduced just because you did not answer.

If our investigation finds that you were ineligible for benefits received, we may ask you to repay them. You do not have to sign a repayment agreement. However, if we do not come to an agreement, we may sue you in civil court to get back the amount owed or, in some cases, refer you for criminal prosecution.

You may still be eligible for certain benefits now even if you were not eligible in the past. If you would like to discuss your current eligibility for Medicaid, you can go to your local Medicaid office.

What This Means: This section outlines your legal rights during the investigation, including the right to legal representation, language assistance, and the right to remain silent. It also explains potential consequences, including the possibility of criminal prosecution.

What You Should Know: This notice contains critical information about your rights that you should take seriously:

• The mention of legal representation is important—this acknowledges the serious nature of the investigation
• Your right to remain silent is a key protection against self-incrimination and potential criminal charges
• The mention of "criminal prosecution" is not an empty threat—cases can and do get referred to the District Attorney
• The primary goal should be avoiding criminal charges, with repayment being a secondary concern

A food stamp investigator letter can also come from 151 W Broadway, 7^th Floor, New York, NY 10013.

If you've received a food stamp investigation letter, don't face this alone. Contact a food stamp fraud lawyer immediately to protect your rights and navigate this complex process.

What to Do Next

DO:

• Contact an attorney immediately- Preferably one with experience in food stamp fraud cases
• Keep the letter and envelope - These contain important information about your case
• Document all communications - Keep records of any calls or correspondence with investigators
• Gather your benefit application records - But don't submit them without legal advice
• Be aware of deadlines - Note any dates mentioned in the letter
• Understand your rights - Including the right to remain silent and have legal representation

DON'T:

• Don't ignore the letter - This won't make the investigation go away and could make things worse
• Don't contact the investigator directly - Any statements you make can be used against you
• Don't attend the interview without legal representation - Investigators are trained to elicit incriminating information
• Don't provide documents without legal advice - These could be used to build a case against you
• Don't sign anything - Especially repayment agreements, without consulting an attorney
• Don't discuss your case with others - This could compromise your defense strategy

The Most Important Step

The single most important action you can take after receiving an investigation letter is to consult with an experienced food stamp fraud attorney. Legal representation can make the difference between a manageable resolution and serious legal consequences.

How an Attorney Can Help You Avoid Criminal Prosecution

Prevent Self-Incrimination: Your attorney will communicate with investigators on your behalf, preventing you from making statements that could lead to criminal charges.

Manage Evidence: An attorney will carefully control what evidence is provided to investigators to avoid supplying information that could be used in a criminal case.

Provide a Strategy: Your lawyer will develop strategies specifically designed to prevent your case from being referred to the District Attorney's office.

Fifth Amendment Protection: Your attorney ensures your constitutional rights are protected, particularly your right against self-incrimination during interviews and throughout the process.

Administrative Resolution: A food stamp fraud attorney will work to keep your case in the administrative realm, avoiding the criminal justice system entirely while negotiating reasonable repayment terms.

An experienced attorney knows how to negotiate with investigators to give you the best chance of resolve the case administratively and preventing criminal prosecution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions about food stamp investigation letters in New York, based on our extensive experience helping clients through this process.

What does a food stamp investigation letter mean?

A food stamp investigation letter from the Bureau of Fraud Investigation indicates that they are investigating your SNAP benefits eligibility. The letter typically states they have information suggesting you or someone in your household didn't report income, assets, property ownership, correct residence, or household members. This is a serious matter that could lead to repayment demands or, in some cases, criminal prosecution if not handled properly.

Should I attend the interview mentioned in the investigation letter?

It's generally not advisable to attend the interview without legal representation. The investigators are trained to gather evidence that could be used against you. Instead, consult with a food stamp fraud attorney who can represent you, communicate with investigators on your behalf, and protect your rights throughout the process. An attorney can often attend in your place or accompany you if your presence is required.

Should I provide the documents requested in the investigation letter?

You should not provide documents directly to investigators without consulting an attorney first. The documents you provide could be used to build a case against you. A food stamp fraud lawyer can review the requested documents, determine which ones are appropriate to share, and ensure your rights are protected throughout the process.

What happens if I ignore the investigation letter?

Ignoring an investigation letter will not make the case go away. In fact, it could lead to more serious consequences, including the case being escalated to the District Attorney's office. The best approach is to consult with a food stamp fraud attorney who can respond to the letter appropriately and represent your interests throughout the investigation.

Can I be arrested because of a food stamp investigation letter?

Yes, food stamp fraud cases can lead to arrest and criminal prosecution if they're referred to the District Attorney's office. This typically happens in cases where the fraud is deemed intentional or when individuals ignore the investigation. With proper legal representation, most cases can be kept at the administrative level and resolved without criminal charges. A food stamp fraud attorney's primary goal is to prevent your case from entering the criminal justice system.

How can I avoid criminal prosecution in a food stamp investigation?

The most effective way to avoid criminal prosecution is to hire an experienced food stamp fraud attorney immediately after receiving an investigation letter. Your attorney will: 1) Prevent you from making self-incriminating statements, 2) Control what evidence is provided to investigators, 3) Negotiate with investigators to keep the case administrative rather than criminal, 4) Develop a strategy specifically designed to prevent DA referral, and 5) Ensure all communications with investigators are handled professionally and strategically.

Do I have to repay benefits mentioned in the investigation letter?

The letter states that if the investigation finds you were ineligible for benefits received, they may ask you to repay them. However, you don't have to sign a repayment agreement immediately. A food stamp fraud attorney can help negotiate the amount to be repaid or, in some cases, challenge the findings of ineligibility altogether. The priority is to avoid criminal liability while also minimizing any repayment obligation.

What does the letter mean when it says I can choose not to answer questions?

This refers to your Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. The letter acknowledges that you have the right to remain silent during questioning. This is an important right, as statements you make could be used against you. A food stamp fraud attorney can advise you on when to exercise this right and can often speak on your behalf during the investigation process.

Can I still receive benefits after getting an investigation letter?

Yes, the letter specifically states that you may still be eligible for certain benefits even if you were not eligible in the past. However, it's important to ensure any current applications are completely accurate. A food stamp fraud attorney can help you understand your current eligibility while also addressing the investigation into past benefits.

Schedule a Consultation

Don't wait.The sooner you get legal help, the better your chances of a favorable outcome.

Food stamp investigation letters require immediate professional attention. Get expert legal representation to protect your rights and future.

• Same-day consultations available
• We respond to all inquiries within 24 hours
• Experienced in handling food stamp investigation letters

To speak with an attorney immediately about your case, you can call us at 212-233-1233

About the Author

Albert Goodwin, Esq. is a licensed New York attorney with over 15 years of experience handling food stamp fraud and Medicaid investigations and protecting clients' rights in NYC. His extensive knowledge of HRA and DSS regulations and investigation procedures has helped numerous clients successfully resolve their cases.

He can be reached at 212-233-1233 or [email protected].