Agency can recoup food stamps from the entire household based on a single member’s trafficking violation

In this matter, an individual appealed the reduction of food stamp benefits for his household.  The benefits had been reduced because the agency was recouping overpayments from the time the individual had been illegally trafficking food stamps.  The individual conceded that he had been disqualified from the program due to the trafficking, but that the two minor children in the household still received benefits.  He argued the agency should not recoup its losses from benefits paid solely to the children.  The Court ultimately rejected the individual’s arguments.  While the minor children were not personally responsible for the trafficking, federal regulations still allowed the agency to recoup the overpayments from the individual’s entire household, which included the children.

Update as of 5/16/2024: Judicial review remains pending before the Superior Court of Fulton County.