Pennsylvania Woman Charged with Stealing $8,000 in SNAP Benefits from Vulnerable Resident

A former care worker in Pennsylvania has been charged after allegedly stealing $8,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from a vulnerable resident. The accused, identified as Amanda Marie Quick, 32, of Wilkes-Barre, was arrested following an investigation by Pennsylvania State Police into fraudulent activity at The Arc of Northeastern Pennsylvania, a facility that provides care for individuals with disabilities.

Authorities say Quick illegally used the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card of a resident, Kenneth Allen, to make unauthorized food purchases over a period of nearly two years.

How the Fraud Was Discovered

The investigation began when staff at The Arc of Northeastern Pennsylvania noticed that Allen’s EBT card was missing and that funds had been spent in multiple locations, including Wilkes-Barre and Philadelphia. After reviewing Allen’s financial records, discrepancies in food purchases were detected, leading to a formal inquiry.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, SNAP benefits are meant to be used strictly by the recipient or an authorized representative for nutritious food purchases. Unauthorized use of these benefits constitutes fraud and carries severe penalties.

For more information on SNAP regulations, visit the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) website: www.fns.usda.gov/snap.

Charges and Legal Consequences

Quick now faces multiple charges, including:

• Financial Exploitation of a Care-Dependent Person
• Identity Theft
• Theft by Deception
• Unauthorized Use of an Access Device (EBT Card Fraud)

Pennsylvania law states that financial exploitation of a care-dependent person can result in felony charges, particularly if the financial loss exceeds $2,000. If convicted, Quick could face significant jail time and fines.

For legal statutes on SNAP fraud penalties, visit the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s website: www.attorneygeneral.gov.

Wider Issue of SNAP Fraud

This case highlights a larger issue of fraud within the SNAP program, which provides food assistance to more than 1.8 million Pennsylvanians. Fraudulent activities often include:

• Using stolen EBT cards to make unauthorized purchases
• Trading SNAP benefits for cash (known as SNAP trafficking)
• Providing false information on applications to receive benefits

Similar Cases Across the Country

Pennsylvania is not the only state dealing with SNAP fraud:

• In Long Island, New York, 12 individuals were indicted in 2018 for stealing food stamps from mentally disabled adults and using the benefits to purchase luxury food items like king crab legs and premium meats.
• In California, a 2024 investigation uncovered a fraud ring that exploited $20 million in SNAP benefits, leading to multiple arrests.

For national SNAP fraud data, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s fraud prevention page: www.usda.gov/oig/hotline.

Preventing SNAP Fraud: What Can Be Done?

Authorities are urging SNAP recipients, caregivers, and store owners to be vigilant about EBT card misuse. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services suggests several steps to prevent fraud:

• Report lost or stolen EBT cards immediately – Call 1-888-328-7366 to report missing cards.
• Monitor account activity – Recipients should regularly check transaction histories for suspicious charges.
• Avoid sharing EBT PINs – Only trusted authorized representatives should have access to a recipient’s PIN.
• Report suspected fraud – Anyone who notices suspicious SNAP activity can report it to the Pennsylvania Inspector General’s fraud hotline at 1-800-932-0582.

For more on SNAP security, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services SNAP Fraud Unit: www.dhs.pa.gov.

Community Response and Impact

Local advocates and officials have condemned the alleged fraud, stressing the importance of protecting food assistance programs for those who genuinely need them.

“This is an egregious case of exploitation,” said State Representative Maureen Madden (D-PA). “SNAP benefits exist to help vulnerable populations access food, not to be misused by those in positions of trust.”

The Arc of Northeastern Pennsylvania has since revised its security policies, ensuring tighter controls on SNAP benefit management for residents. Officials say additional training for staff will be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.

For more on The Arc’s mission and policies, visit: www.thearc.org.

What Happens Next?

• Quick’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for later this month in Lackawanna County Court.
• Investigators are reviewing whether additional SNAP fraud cases are connected to this incident.
• Pennsylvania lawmakers may consider stricter SNAP oversight to prevent future misuse of benefits.

Conclusion

The Pennsylvania SNAP fraud case serves as a cautionary tale about the vulnerabilities in food assistance programs and the consequences of financial exploitation. While programs like SNAP are designed to help low-income individuals, strict enforcement measures are essential to ensure funds are used appropriately.

Authorities continue to urge recipients to report suspicious activity and take precautions to protect their benefits from fraud.

For official SNAP fraud reporting, visit the USDA Office of Inspector General: www.usda.gov/oig/hotline.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.