Latest news with #LoneStarCard
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Fired state employees breached the personal data of 33,529 more Texans
Texas Health and Human Services Commission late Wednesday began notifying another 33,529 recipients of state benefits that their private information had been improperly accessed. The latest announcement comes as the state agency continues to investigate a series of breaches by its own employees of its database for Medicaid, food stamp and other assistance programs. Three months ago, the state notified 61,104 Texans that their personal information may have been improperly accessed by state employees. At that time, seven state employees tied to the breach had been fired including two who stole from recipients food stamp cards. In February, the agency notified lawmakers that another two state employees had been fired, bringing to a total of nine state employees who had accessed individuals' accounts without a stated business reason. HHSC officials said Wednesday that these fired employees are now responsible for breaching the personal information of another 33,529 account holders who had either applied or received assistance between June 2021 and January 2025. It is not known how many of those account holders had their benefits compromised. The state agency recommends that affected individuals carefully review their accounts and health care provider, insurance company and financial institution statements to make sure their account activity is correct. Any questionable charges should be reported promptly to the provider or company and contact law enforcement. HHSC advises Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to check their Lone Star Card transactions for potential fraudulent activity at or through the Your Texas Benefits mobile app. Recipients who believe they may have been a victim of SNAP fraud should call 2-1-1, select a language, and choose option 3 to report the fraud to the Texas Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General. They should also contact law enforcement to report the fraud and visit a local HHSC benefits office to have their benefits replaced. HHSC has determined full names, home addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, email addresses, Social Security numbers, Medicaid and Medicare identification numbers, financial, employment, banking, benefits, health, insurance, medical, certificate, license and other personal information may have been inappropriately accessed. Recipients who want to know more can go to this link on the agency's website. The state agency is offering two years of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services to those affected by the breach. They can also call 866-362-1773, toll-free and use the engagement number B139792. Tickets are on sale now for the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, Texas' breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin. Get tickets before May 1 and save big! TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This Houston mom's $700 SNAP benefit was stolen hours after the deposit — and won't be replaced. Here's why
Claudette Merchant was doing what millions of parents do every day — grocery shopping for her kids. But when she got to the checkout at her local H-E-B, her Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) card was declined. She had received her monthly deposit — nearly $700 — just hours earlier, but by lunchtime, nearly all her funds were gone. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) 'I said, you got to be kidding me,' Merchant told KPRC 2. '$5 on my card. I thought he meant $500, but $5. That's crazy.' With just a few dollars left on her card and three kids to feed, the Houston single mom says every day has been a struggle. "I've been scammed,' she told KPRC 2. 'It's hard for single parents, especially single mothers that don't have help like they're supposed to.' Unfortunately, the SNAP funds cannot be replaced — even though they were taken without her permission through no fault of her own. Merchant is among the many victims of 'SNAP skimming,' a growing type of electronic theft in which criminals install hidden devices on card readers to steal card numbers and PINs. Once the information is cloned, they can wipe out an account in minutes. Until recently, stolen SNAP funds could be reimbursed under a federal protection program — but that law expired on Dec. 20, 2024, and Congress has not renewed it. That means any benefits stolen after that date — including Merchant's — are not eligible for replacement unless the state sets up its own replacement program. Texas has not. 'It sounds like you're not getting that money back,' KPRC 2 reporter Gage Goulding told her. 'Nope. And that's wrong, and that's why it's so much fraud — because no one's doing nothing about it,' Merchant replied. Merchant has since canceled her old card and ordered a new one, as advised by Texas Health and Human Services. But that doesn't solve the larger issue: how to feed her children with almost no funds for the month. Read more: This hedge fund legend warns US stock market will crash a stunning 80% — claims 'Armageddon' is coming. Don't believe him? He earned 4,144% during COVID. Here's 3 ways to protect yourself SNAP provides monthly food assistance to low-income households. In Texas, funds are loaded onto a Lone Star Card, which works like a debit card at grocery stores. Households can receive anywhere from roughly $300 to nearly $2,000 per month, depending on income and family size, according to Texas Health and Human Services. However, as electronic theft rises, protecting those benefits has become a major concern. Here are some ways SNAP recommends you protect your account — and what to do if you're targeted. State officials will never ask for your PIN, and neither should store clerks, friends or anyone outside your household. Only share your PIN with trusted adults who live in your household. Check card readers for loose parts or hidden devices often used for phishing — tug slightly to see if anything moves. If you see wires or if the card reader moves or comes apart, don't use your card. When entering your PIN, use your hand or body to shield others from seeing it. Set a reminder to change your PIN each month. The USDA recommends changing it the day before your benefits are expected to be deposited. That way, if phishers have your current PIN, they won't be able to access the funds. If your card is compromised, contact your local SNAP office right away. Cancel the card and request a new one. States can use their own funds to replace stolen benefits, so check in your area before assuming they won't be replaced. Even if benefits can't be reimbursed, reporting the incident helps officials track skimming trends and locations. Start by contacting your local food bank, which may offer emergency groceries or prepared meals. Community organizations, churches and mutual aid groups can also provide short-term support. If you're on social media, look for 'Buy Nothing,' 'Food Not Bombs' or other neighborhood support groups where members often share food or supplies. These steps won't replace the stolen funds, but they can help you get through a tough time while you explore your options. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Hindustan Times
23-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
SNAP payments arriving this week for Texas residents: Find out when and how much you will receive
Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps individuals and families with low income buy healthy food U.S. Beneficiaries with the Lone Star Card receive their payments on the card, which then works as a debit card to buy basic and essential food items like fruits, vegetables, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The card with the monetary funds in it cannot be used to purchase alcohol, tobacco, or hot food in restaurants as it goes against SNAP's policies. Unemployed individuals, low-income households, or people living with special needs may qualify for this card and the monthly payments sent to it. An individual can receive monetary assistance through SNAP if they earn less than $2,005 monthly. The payment dates for SNAP's benefits are set according to the beneficiary's Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number, which is found on their official SNAP documents. In Texas, payments will be delivered to the respective range of EDG numbers this week: - SNAP EDG Number 72-74: April 21 - SNAP EDG Number 75-78: April 22 - SNAP EDG Number 79-81: April 23 - SNAP EDG number 82-85: April 24 - SNAP EDG Number 86-88: April 25 - SNAP EDG Number 89-92: April 26 - SNAP EDG Number 93-95: April 27 Also Read: Your Social Security payment, tax refunds could reduce significantly in May, here's why SNAP was created in 1964 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty. Since then, it has evolved from paper coupons to modern Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards and helped families during the Great Recession in 2008, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and now the rising food inflation in 2025. Your EBT card is reloaded with monetary funds automatically on the assigned dates every month, with which, you can use it at: - Major grocery stores - Farmer's markets - Online retailers like Amazon and Walmart SNAP's benefits are solely based on household size and monthly income. Here are the maximum monthly allotments for the number of family members in a single household: - 1 member: $291 - 2 members: $535 - 3 members: $766 - 4 members: $973 - 5 members: $1,155 - 6 members: $1,386 *Is your SNAP benefit delayed?* - Recertification pending (required every 6–12 months) - Address or household income change - State processing delays - EBT system outages Here's what you can do if your SNAP benefit is delayed: - Call your state's EBT customer service - Log in to your local SNAP portal - Speak with your caseworker directly
