SNAP Household Composition Letter from the HRA

If you got a letter from the HRA about SNAP household composition, they think you didn't report someone who lives in your household. Most of the time, this is about not reporting the father of the children. Do not call the phone number on the letter. Talk to an attorney first. The consultation is free.

I am a food stamp fraud attorney. If you want to talk about the letter, call me at 212-233-1233. I am a private attorney. I don't work for the government. Everything you tell me is private.

What is household composition fraud?

Household composition fraud happens when you don't report someone who lives in your house. The most common case is when the father of the children lives in the house but the family says he doesn't. They might say he lives with his mother, father, or a friend. But the HRA thinks this is a lie.

This situation can be complicated. Even if you think you're telling the truth, the HRA investigators often see things differently.

What evidence do they have?

By the time the HRA contacts you, they already have evidence. They don't send letters based on guesses. They have video surveillance of the father going in and out of your house. They talked to your neighbors. They might have even talked to the father himself.

Fathers often claim the children on their income tax returns. They also list your household address on their tax returns. The HRA sees this as proof that he lives there.

What if we're separated?

Many families say they are "separated" from the father. But if you're married, being separated doesn't count unless you have a legal separation. If you're not married, the HRA will think your separation is fake.

The HRA Bureau of Fraud Investigation assumes you're not telling the truth unless the father has his own place to live. Saying he lives "with his friend, parent or sibling" is not enough. They want to see that he has his own apartment or house.

Even if you're actually divorced, if their evidence shows the father is in your house, the HRA assumes he's part of your household. You would need to prove he has his own place to live, not just that he's staying somewhere else.

Should I talk to the investigator?

No. Don't talk to the investigator. They are trained to get information that can be used against you in court. If you talk to them, they will ask for more information and documents. They will keep working the case until they can take you to court.

If you ignore the letters, the case won't go away. It will get sent to the District Attorney's office. This is why you need an attorney to handle it for you.

What happens if they prove their case?

If the HRA proves that the father was living in your household, you will have to pay back the SNAP benefits you received. The amount depends on how long he was living there and how much his income was.

You could also face criminal charges. SNAP fraud is a crime. The penalty depends on how much money was involved. For most people, this could mean up to seven years in jail.

Can an attorney help?

Yes. An attorney can talk to the investigators for you. We know how to protect your rights. We can sometimes reduce the amount you have to pay back or avoid criminal charges completely.

If you need help with a SNAP household composition investigation, call the Law Offices of Albert Goodwin at 212-233-1233. Don't try to handle this alone.

What should I do right now?

Don't panic, but don't ignore this. Call an attorney today. Don't talk to the investigator. Don't send them documents. Don't try to explain your situation to them. Let an attorney handle everything.

The most important thing is to get legal help right away. These cases move fast, and you need someone on your side who knows how to deal with HRA investigations.

For more general information about HRA investigation letters, read about responding to letters from the HRA about SNAP or Medicaid.

Albert Goodwin, Esq. is an attorney who helps people with SNAP household composition investigations. He can negotiate with the HRA investigators and defend you if criminal charges are filed. You can reach him at 212-233-1233 or by email at [email protected].