BANGOR -- The Department of Health and Human Services reported theft of SNAP benefits, impacting around 300 Maine households.

That is the equivalent of $76,000 stolen, according to DHHS Director of the Office of Family Independence.

He says OFI has identified the benefits are being stolen via fraudulent devices registered in other states.

“When we were investigating this it was pretty clear quickly this was an EBT cloning incident. Where an individual or group of individuals has stolen obtained EBT numbers and pins...Printed those onto real cards," says Ian Yaffe, Director of OFI.

SNAP benefits help low-income individuals and families afford food by supplementing a monthly grocery budget.

Without this service, households impacted now face having no food assistance until September.

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