ATLANTA — Thousands of Georgians say they are going hungry because stolen food benefit money is not being replaced by the state.
Channel 2 investigative reporter Ashli Lincoln learned lawmakers are looking for long-term solutions.
The federal safety net for replacing stolen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds has dried up.
So now when a SNAP recipient goes to the state for help, they are being told there’s nothing it can do, leaving families with no money to pay for groceries.
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Georgia lawmakers say they recognize this is a major problem and are working on solutions.
“We’re a little empty right now,” said Eureka Slaughter, a SNAP recipient.
She showed on Channel 2 Action News at 5:00 p.m. her empty cabinets, sending a wave of emotions through her.
“I’m holding back tears,” said Slaughter. “It’s very hurtful knowing that I promised my kids they wouldn’t go through this,” she continued.
“Coming home from school, ain’t no food in here. Cause sometimes I don’t get to eat in school,” said Eurka Slaughter’s son Jayden.
“My heart had dropped,” said Jatavia Cook, who is also a SNAP recipient.
She said she cried for two days after hackers hit her account twice within hours.
“What was behind those tears?” asked Ashli Lincoln.
“A lot of frustration because I’m already struggling. I’m already struggling,” answered Cook.
Both women are among thousands of Georgians who told Channel 2 Action News their state issued SNAP cards were hacked. For more than two years, Channel 2 Action News has covered SNAP recipients’ frustrations about stolen benefits.
Slaughter said she had to lean on her community to help her buy groceries for her family of three.
“If it wasn’t for them, we’d probably be starving right now,” said Slaughter.
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The majority of complaints from Channel 2 viewers show hackers are primarily spending the money in the northeast.
Cook said $179 were taken at a store in Elizabeth, N.J. and another $156 was used in Philadelphia, Penn.
Slaughter said in one month hackers used her funds at various convenience stores across New York.
“Have you ever been in New York and Pennsylvania?” asked Lincoln.
“No,” responded Slaughter.
“Were you there in March?” asked Lincoln.
“No,” answered Slaughter.
“In two different states?” asked Lincoln.
“Different states,” replied Cook.
The federal government’s program for replacing stolen benefits ended in December. But the hacking hasn’t slowed down.
“I couldn’t even get anybody on the phone line,” said Cook.
“For a year, I received benefits. So, I truly know and understand the importance of having those benefits,” said State Rep. Patty Marie Stinson. She was once a SNAP recipient.
She said in recent months her office has received a lot of complaints.
“This is not falling on deaf ears,” Stinson said.
She said Georgia lawmakers are working to craft legislation to provide long-term funding for replacement benefits.
“We want to make sure that people in Georgia know that Georgia legislators really know and understand and are really concerned about what’s happening,” said Stinson.
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Data from the state shows in 2023, roughly 1,200 claims of stolen benefits were made. The number drastically jumped to around 20,000 the following year.
Since March of 2025, more than 30,000 stolen benefits claims were made.
Federal lawmakers recognize the problem. The bipartisan Fairness for Victims of SNAP Skimming Act would reimburse SNAP victims.
One of the bill’s sponsors, New York Congresswoman Grace Meng, said fraudsters mainly use skimming devices to steal funds, and adding chip card technology to EBT cards could significantly offset these thefts.
Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock, whose family was on SNAP when he was growing up, agrees.
“We who serve in government have an obligation to make them whole,” Warnock said.
Georgia recipients said until new protections are passed, they will remain vigilant and use the state’s app to lock their accounts.
“Have to lock and unlock my card because I can’t, that can’t happen again,” said Cook.
The Georgia Department of Human Services oversees SNAP funds. The Commissioner was not available for an interview.
Within the last year, the state has introduced several fraud protections, including the lock feature and not allowing easy PINS, like 1,2,3,4.
The state said at this time, card chipping is not possible in Georgia because most vendors’ EBT point of sale systems do not support chipped cards.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on July 8 it will disqualify retailers that are complicit in SNAP fraud. It also plans to enhance its work with federal and local law enforcement to combat SNAP retail fraud.
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