EBT Fraud: $1.5M SNAP-Swap Scheme Exposes Gaps $1.5M SNAP-to-cash scheme reported Apr 5, 2026 highlights EBT vulnerabilities; raises enforcement and compliance costs for retailers and processors.

EBT Fraud: $1.5M SNAP-Swap Scheme Exposes Gaps: $1.5M SNAP-to-cash scheme reported Apr 5, 2026 highlights EBT vulnerabilities; raises enforcement and compliance costs for retailers and processors. 👈 Read full analysis #EBTFraud #SNAP #SocialSecurity #FoodAssistance #FinancialFraud

The Koreatown Senior & Community Center is bringing back its free lunch program for seniors, this time with its longest guaranteed run yet. The center is partnering with the YMCA under a two-year agreement, which would allow the program — for the first time — to run continuously for that long. In the past, the center’s free lunch program typically lasted only a few months at a time before funding cuts forced it to scale back or stop temporarily. If all goes as planned, the program is expected to relaunch by late April. “We’re committed to identifying funding beyond the two years,” said Mario Valenzuela, chief mission advancement officer at the YMCA. #### News for your neighborhood, our LA. Sign up to learn more about The LA Local and get stories worth telling delivered to your inbox. * The LA Local * Boyle Heights Beat * Koreatown, Pico Union and Westlake * Inglewood and South LA Sign up The program is returning as meal services for seniors across LA face ongoing funding challenges. In September, LA Public Press reported that some senior centers were cutting back on meals as pandemic-era funding expired and longer-term funding looked uncertain. Valenzuela said that across the YMCA’s 29 food distribution sites in the county, seniors now make up the majority of those seeking assistance. The YMCA was awarded $7.5 million last year to address food insecurity, and Valenzuela said the Koreatown senior lunch program is one way those funds are being used. The center launched its free lunch program in January 2024 with about 200 meals a day, funded by the city’s Department of Aging. But the number of meals steadily declined, from 200 to 50, before the program ended in early January. Hyun-ok Lee, president of the board of the Koreatown Senior & Community Center, said the sudden halt was difficult for people who had come to rely on the meals. “When the meal service suddenly stopped, a lot of seniors and people in the community really felt it,” Lee said. After the program stopped, the center began looking for new funding sources. That effort eventually led to a connection with the YMCA, facilitated by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez, according to both the center and the YMCA. “It was important for the Assemblymember to ensure that meals are culturally sensitive, especially for the seniors in our district, so we were able to connect the YMCA with KSCC and reinstitute the daily distribution of Korean lunch boxes at KSCC,” Nina Suh-Toma, Gonzalez’s field representative, said. Valenzuela said the organization stepped in after hearing from multiple senior centers that funding for services was being cut. The Koreatown senior center’s free lunch program will cost between $210,000 and $250,000 a year and will initially provide 100 meals a day from Monday to Friday, with the goal of eventually increasing that number to 200. Valenzuela said the program is part of a broader shift at the YMCA to work more directly in communities. “We can no longer just focus within our four walls,” he said. “We really have to meet the community where they’re at.” The YMCA and the center are still working out the details of the partnership, including how meals will be distributed. Valenzuela said they’re currently looking for a food vendor that can provide Korean meals that are both culturally appropriate and meet nutritional guidelines. Valenzuela said he’s already seeing growing demand for these services. “I think the emerging need is there are a lot of cuts coming down the pipeline particularly to social services and the most vulnerable population right now are seniors,” he said. “We’re seeing it across LA County.” * * * **Community-powered journalism for your neighborhood** The LA Local is a nonprofit newsroom rooted in neighborhoods across Los Angeles. We believe **everyone deserves access to clear, relevant reporting** —especially coverage that centers your daily life, your block, and your local issues. Become a **Founding Member** by donating today to support our mission. ### _Related_

#Koreatown senior center to revive free lunch program as more elderly seek #FoodAssistance
thelalocal.org/neighborhoods/koreatown/...
#LosAngeles #Hunger #Food #Seniors #Aging

There is always money for war!
When are we going to prioritize the American people and not death for profit!
Living-Breathing Photography. (c)
#stopwar
#UniversalHealthcare
#veteranshealth
#childcare
#education
#AffordableHousing
#foodassistance
#ELDERLYCARE

Currently Operation Homeplate is hosting application days at the following locations listed below.

For more information on the program, call the Office of Senior Services at 732-929-2091 and press 1 for Operation Homeplate.

#NJ #OceanCountyNJ #Seniors #Disabled #FoodAssistance

‘Congress Should Be Helping American Families’: Rep Shontel Brown Pushes Bill to Reverse SNAP Cuts and Redirect ICE Funding A Democratic lawmaker is calling for a major shift in federal spending priorities, introducing new legislation aimed at restoring food assistance benefits… The post ‘Congress Should Be Helping American Families’: Rep Shontel Brown Pushes Bill to Reverse SNAP Cuts and Redirect ICE Funding appeared first on Shine My Crown.

‘Congress Should Be Helping American Families’: Rep Shontel Brown Pushes Bill to Reverse SNAP Cuts and Redirect ICE Funding: A Democratic lawmaker is calling for a major shift in federal spending priorities, introducing new legislation… #SNAP #FoodAssistance #AmericanFamilies #Congress #Legislation

Episode #55: What good can the US’ fragmented and charity-based welfare do? – Beth DaPonte What does social security support look like in the US’ highly fragmented welfare system? How do cash assistance and food stamps support families in need? What has the notion of ‘End Welfare as We K…

📢 PODCAST ALERT! 🎙️
.
Listen to our newest episode with @b-daponte.bsky.social and @keetieroelen.bsky.social about #socialsecurity #welfare in #US
.
Learn about #foodassistance #SNAP and the system's fragmentation and reliance on charitable support
.
Listen 👉 poverty-unpacked.org/2026/03/22/e...

Episode #55: What good can the US’ fragmented and charity-based welfare do? – Beth DaPonte What does social security support look like in the US’ highly fragmented welfare system? How do cash assistance and food stamps support families in need? What has the notion of ‘End Welfare as We K…

📢 PODCAST ALERT! 🎙️
.
I was joined by @b-daponte.bsky.social for conversation about #socialsecurity #welfare in #US on episode 55 of @povertyunpacked.bsky.social
.
Learn about #foodassistance #SNAP and system's fragmentation and reliance on charitable support
.
👉 poverty-unpacked.org/2026/03/22/e...

MANNA FoodBank Unveils New Mills River Facility After Storm Recovery | WNC Times MANNA FoodBank opens its Mills River facility after Tropical Storm Helene, boosting food access in Western NC. More cold storage!

MANNA FoodBank Unveils New Mills River Facility After Storm Recovery wnctimes.com/article/mann... #MannaFoodBank #Asheville #WNCnews #BuncombeCounty #WNC #WNCmountains #FoodInsecurity #MillsRiver #LocalNews #Family #FoodAssistance #NonProfit #AvlNews #Avl #HeleneRecovery

WASTE, FRAUD, & ABUSE! Department of Defense should eat like the working class & the current military instead of wasting millions on ribeye steaks, Alaskan king crabs & donuts! We the people need #healthinsurance #foodassistance #housingassistance #childcare #americafirst #wastefraudabuse

VeteransSpecialNeeds.Com
#Marines #Army #Airforce #Navy #CoastGuard #DAV #VA #MedicalCare #Housing #FoodAssistance #PTSD #FollowBack #DomainSales

VeteransSpecialNeeds.Com
#Marines #Army #Airforce #Navy #CoastGuard #DAV #VA #MedicalCare #Housing #FoodAssistance #PTSD #FollowBack #DomainSales

#Elderly 50-64 of age seeking public #FoodAssistance 🍛🍝🍜🍲 #SNAP must work per the president Trump 2026

What are SNAP & Medicaid error rates — and why do they matter for state funding and program accuracy? 👇

www.newsfromthestates.com/article/explaining-snap-...

#SNAP #Medicaid #Policy #FoodAssistance #Healthcar

Pete Hegseth Blew Billions on Fruit Basket Stands, Chairs, and Crab The Defense Department went on a $93 billion spending spree in 2025.

Can’t feed kids or elders at those that hunger… The government ALWAYS has money for war. But this is shameful- and your tax dollars.

#Hunger
#Hegseth
#MilitaryFunding
#YourTaxDollars
#FoodAssistance

newrepublic.com/post/207555/...

Can you imagine what we could spend that on instead? Because I can.

#Healthcare #Childcare #FoodAssistance

DHS Shares Video on SNAP Changes - RCPA Over the past few months, there have been important changes to SNAP that may affect Pennsylvanians’ eligibility for the program. To help

PA DHS shares a new video breaking down SNAP changes and what they mean for recipients and providers.
paproviders.org/dhs-shares-video-on-snap...

#SNAP #FoodAssistance #PublicBenefits #PA

CFDI has partnered with Metro Food Rescue to provide food boxes for our community. If you or someone you know need food assistance, register using the link to receive a food box and join us on Tuesday, March 17, from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM.

https://form.jotform.com/260635084016149

#FoodAssistance

DHS Shares Video on SNAP Changes - RCPA Over the past few months, there have been important changes to SNAP that may affect Pennsylvanians’ eligibility for the program. To help

PA DHS shares a new video explaining recent SNAP changes, including who’s affected and how to meet work/reporting requirements.
paproviders.org/dhs-shares-video-on-snap...

#SNAP #FoodAssistance #PA #PublicBenefits

An election mailer describing how Ryan Mackenzie’s Medicare cuts affect people who need it.

Welp. Got my first midterm mailer are‘the most vulnerable congressman’ #ryanmackenzie.

It’s right on target. He was happy about his big bogus bill support.

His legacy is DHS, ICE, over funded DoD. Cuts to #aca #medicare #foodassistance. He supports blowing up smugglers.

Food is a basic need, not a luxury 🍎❤️

Food assistance programs bring relief and stability to those facing hardship.

Help us continue this work:
vaccinationrewards.org

#FoodAssistance #EndHunger #CommunityImpact #SupportCommunities #MakeADifference

Original post on troet.cafe

#Trump has launched us into what could be another costly and deadly forever war. It is costing the U.S. at least $1 billion a day.

Meanwhile, he and Republicans are slashing #taxes on the wealthiest Americans.

How are they doing both? By making devastating cuts to #foodassistance programs that […]

#dontbefatphobic #foodassistance

#Fundraising #needhelp #foodassistance #needfood

DHS budget hearing: SNAP cost shift, YMCA grants, summer food and data governance among top requests Commissioner Clarence H. Carter told the Senate Health Committee that HR1’s federal changes will shift SNAP administrative costs onto the state ($58,333,700 for a nine-month period) and outlined requests including YMCA grants, summer food assistance, an $8M data governance contract, and administrative reductions.

Tennessee’s DHS budget hearing revealed a staggering $58 million cost shift for SNAP and urgent requests for YMCA grants and summer food assistance—what's next for our community?

Click to read more!

#TN #CitizenPortal #TennesseeHumanServices #DataGovernance #ChildcareExpansion #FoodAssistance

Committee hears a string of smaller bills on predesigns, property tax exemptions, SNAP forecasting and wildfire funding After the capital budget and CCA briefing, the committee considered multiple bills including HB 2353 (raise predesign threshold), HB 2133 (permanent senior center exemption), HB 2714 (SNAP/FAP forecasting), HB 2431 (nonprofit assembly hall fundraising days) and HB 2089 (B&O mortgage deduction tied to wildfire funding). Stakeholders generally supported efficiency and funding goals but raised implementation questions.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee is rewriting the rules for state capital projects and nonprofit funding, with changes that could streamline costs and bolster community support.

Learn more here!

#WA #CitizenPortal #CommunitySupport #FoodAssistance #PublicFunding

Votes at a glance: multiple bills advanced and passed on House floor Feb. 12, 2026 A batch of second-reading bills advanced and several were passed on the House floor, including HB 23 34 (cash-transaction rounding), HB 27 14 (SNAP caseload forecasting), HB 25 57 (special-education access), HB 23 48 (timber sale process), HB 25 05 (foster-care exemption), HB 25 77 (hospital inspections), and others. Vote tallies are listed below.

The Washington House just passed a series of significant bills that could impact everything from cash transactions to food assistance programs and special education access!

Click to read more!

#WA #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #FoodAssistance #EducationAccess

Panel examines bill to give Inspector General contract role for SNAP fraud detection Committee members heard HB 2,731, which would require DCF to contract with the Office of Inspector General to establish a fraud detection unit for food assistance and prohibit other investigators after Jan. 1, 2027; DCF counsel warned of legal ambiguity and risk that federal partners might refuse data-sharing, while the Inspector General described staffing and fiscal estimates.

A controversial proposal to shift SNAP fraud detection to the Office of Inspector General raises serious concerns about legal ambiguities and data-sharing risks with federal partners.

Get the details!

#KS #CitizenPortal #KansasWelfare #FraudDetection #FoodAssistance #GovernmentTransparency

UN says Gaza food rations reduced, partners face entry rejections; calls to restore direct convoy routes The UN reported partners reached roughly 670,000 people with food assistance in February but rations remain reduced to 50 percent due to insufficient stocks; the spokesperson said partner deliveries from Egypt are critically low owing to high rejection rates by Israeli authorities and urged resumption of government‑to‑government convoys from Jordan.

The UN reports that food rations in Gaza have been slashed to just 50% amid a critical shortage, leaving over 670,000 people in dire need.

Get the details!

#US #CitizenPortal #GazaHumanitarian #HumanitarianAccess #FoodAssistance #CiviliansProtection

Grain ATMs and hunger maps: AI innovations spotlighted at UN agency showcase in India Artificial intelligence solutions that transform the way food assistance reaches people facing hunger were on display during an exhibition at an AI meeting this week in New Delhi, India.

Grain ATMs and hunger maps: #AI innovations spotlighted at UN agency showcase in India

#FoodAssistance

[Video] Cardi B Blasts Holiday Cuts🚨#CardiB #TrumpAdministration #FoodAssistance #FamilySupport