Kansas City, Missouri, January 17, 2026
A crucial congressional bill is making headway to restore stolen SNAP benefits for over 300 Kansas City families affected by electronic theft. These families are also grappling with housing displacement after federal funding cuts due to unsafe living conditions. As calls for swift legislative action increase, the challenges faced by low-income households in the region are becoming more pronounced. Lawmakers are responding with new legislation aimed at providing security for vulnerable families and addressing the urgent need for improved safeguards.
Kansas City – A critical congressional bill aimed at restoring stolen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits is gaining momentum, following reports that over 300 Kansas City families have had their food assistance funds pilfered. This development comes as several Kansas City families also face displacement from their homes after a federal agency ceased funding due to unsafe living conditions in their apartment complex. The dual crises highlight the significant challenges low-income families in the region are facing, prompting calls for swift legislative action and improved safeguards.
Congressional Bill Seeks to Protect Vulnerable Families
The legislative push to safeguard SNAP benefits is a direct response to a widespread issue of electronic benefit theft, particularly through card skimming. Over 300 Kansas City families recently discovered their EBT benefits had disappeared, not through spending, but due to sophisticated criminal card skimming schemes. This local impact underscores a broader, nationwide problem where over 670,000 households had SNAP assistance stolen between early 2023 and late 2025, amounting to over $320 million in replaced funds by states during that period, though the total loss is likely higher.
The current federal authority for replacing stolen SNAP benefits expired on December 20, 2024, meaning benefits stolen on or after December 21, 2024, are generally not eligible for federal reimbursement. States can opt to replace stolen benefits using their own funds, but there is no guarantee of retroactive federal reimbursement. This lapse has left many families without recourse when their vital food assistance is stolen.
One piece of legislation gaining attention is the Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025 (S.3024 and House companion), introduced in the Senate on October 21, 2025, and in the House on October 24, 2025. This bill aims to ensure uninterrupted SNAP benefits during government shutdowns and provides appropriations for retroactive payments for benefits missed on or after September 30, 2025. Another bipartisan effort, the Fairness for Victims of SNAP Skimming Act (H.R.3887 and Senate companion), introduced on May 2, 2025, seeks to permanently extend the provision allowing state SNAP agencies to reimburse recipients for benefits stolen through skimming or other methods, and to lift the cap on repayment to cover the full stolen amount. This bill addresses the critical need for a continuous federal mechanism to replace stolen funds, which is currently lacking.
The theft of SNAP benefits often leaves low-income individuals struggling to afford food for their families. A survey indicated that nearly 60% of people who lost benefits to EBT theft reported skipping meals, and almost half took on debt. This emphasizes the severe impact of these criminal acts on vulnerable populations.
Housing Crisis Impacts Kansas City Residents
Adding to the challenges, families residing in the Olive Park Village apartment complex in Kansas City have been forced to leave their homes due to hazardous conditions. City inspections revealed significant habitability and safety issues, leading the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to cut federal subsidies to the property owner on December 1, 2025. While the complex has not been formally condemned, the city has directed remaining families to relocate. HUD activated an emergency relocation program on January 7, providing hotel placement, moving services, and storage assistance for these residents. Residents reported enduring flooding, ceiling collapses, mold, and pest infestations, alongside concerns about illegal activity and fires in unsecure, vacant units.
This local housing issue occurs amidst broader concerns about federal funding for housing assistance programs. Expected staffing and budget cuts at the Department of Housing and Urban Development raise fears that some housing assistance programs could lose funding nationwide, potentially leading to more individuals losing their housing.
Nationwide Context of SNAP Theft and Program Challenges
SNAP, a federal aid program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides food-purchasing assistance to low-income individuals and families. The program utilizes Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards for distributing benefits. However, the magnetic stripe technology used in most EBT cards makes them susceptible to skimming, where criminals use illegal devices to copy card information and PINs. California is currently the only state to have deployed chip-and-tap enabled EBT cards, a technology that has significantly reduced benefit theft in that state, showing an 83% drop in reported theft between January 2024 and November 2025.
Nationwide, states reported replacing over $320 million in stolen SNAP benefits between October 2022 and December 2024. However, the federal mandate for these replacements expired, leaving states responsible for finding their own funding solutions. This ongoing challenge highlights the need for a more permanent and secure system for SNAP benefit delivery.
Recent federal legislation, such as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (H.R. 1/P.L. 119-21), has introduced changes to SNAP funding policies. These changes include new state benefit cost-sharing requirements tied to Payment Error Rates (PER) data collected during fall 2025. States with a PER above 6% will be responsible for a portion of SNAP benefit costs, potentially averaging $218 million per state annually. Beginning in fiscal year 2027, states will also be required to cover 75% of SNAP administrative costs, an additional average increase of $67 million per state each year. These shifts could significantly impact state budgets and the overall administration of the SNAP program nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main issue impacting Kansas City families mentioned in the article?
Over 300 Kansas City families have had their SNAP benefits stolen through card skimming, and some families are also being displaced from their homes due to federal funding cuts over unsafe living conditions in their apartment complex.
What is being done in Congress to address stolen SNAP benefits?
The Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025 (S.3024 and House companion) seeks to ensure uninterrupted SNAP benefits during government shutdowns and provides appropriations for retroactive payments for benefits missed on or after September 30, 2025. The Fairness for Victims of SNAP Skimming Act (H.R.3887 and Senate companion) aims to permanently extend federal authority for states to reimburse stolen benefits and lift the cap on repayment to cover the full amount stolen.
When did federal authority to replace stolen SNAP benefits expire?
The federal authority for replacing stolen SNAP benefits expired on December 20, 2024. Benefits stolen on or after December 21, 2024, are generally not eligible for federal reimbursement.
How does EBT card skimming work?
EBT card skimming involves criminals placing illegal devices on point-of-sale terminals to capture card information and PINs when recipients swipe their cards. This stolen data is then used to access and drain the EBT accounts.
Is EBT card skimming a Nationwide problem?
Yes, EBT card skimming is a Nationwide problem. Over 670,000 households nationwide had SNAP assistance stolen between early 2023 and late 2025. States reported replacing over $320 million in stolen benefits between October 2022 and December 2024.
What is California doing differently to combat EBT theft?
California is the only state to have deployed chip-and-tap enabled EBT cards, a technology that has significantly reduced benefit theft in the state, showing an 83% drop in reported theft between January 2024 and November 2025.
What are the financial implications for states regarding new SNAP funding policies?
Recent federal legislation mandates new state benefit cost-sharing requirements tied to Payment Error Rates (PER) data. States with a PER above 6% will be responsible for a portion of SNAP benefit costs, potentially averaging $218 million per state annually. Starting in fiscal year 2027, states will also cover 75% of SNAP administrative costs, an additional average increase of $67 million per state each year.
Key Features and Challenges of SNAP and Related Issues
| Feature/Challenge | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| SNAP Benefit Theft (Skimming) | Criminals use illegal devices to copy EBT card data and PINs, leading to the theft of food assistance funds. Over 300 Kansas City families recently affected. | Local (Kansas City), Nationwide |
| Federal Reimbursement for Stolen SNAP Benefits | Federal authority for replacing stolen SNAP benefits expired on December 20, 2024. Benefits stolen after this date are generally not eligible for federal reimbursement. | Nationwide |
| Proposed Congressional Bills | Bills like the Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025 and the Fairness for Victims of SNAP Skimming Act seek to provide continuous funding, retroactive payments, and permanent authority for states to reimburse stolen benefits. | Nationwide |
| Unsafe Housing Conditions | Families in Kansas City’s Olive Park Village displaced due to unsafe living conditions, leading to federal funding cuts by HUD. | Local (Kansas City) |
| EBT Card Technology | Most EBT cards use magnetic stripes, making them vulnerable to skimming. California is the only state deploying more secure chip-and-tap enabled cards, significantly reducing theft. | Nationwide (vulnerability), State-level (California’s solution) |
| State Financial Responsibility for SNAP | New federal legislation mandates states to cover a portion of SNAP benefit costs if Payment Error Rates (PER) exceed 6%, and 75% of administrative costs starting FY2027. | Nationwide |
| Impact on Families | Theft of benefits leads to food insecurity, skipped meals, and increased debt for low-income households. | Nationwide |
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Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.
