PORTLAND, Maine — Maine's Department of Health and Human Services staff said Friday they believe the interstate theft of SNAP benefits appears to be under control.

Director of the Office for Family Independence, Ian Yaffe, told NEWS CENTER Maine they reached out to the USDA, asking the agency to block all out-of-state transactions except in New Hampshire and Vermont.

The request comes amid an investigation into the theft of EBT card numbers and PINs of 300 Maine households, amounting to roughly $76,000 in SNAP benefits.

"I don't know how I would survive if I didn't get the little bit of help I get from the state every month," said Steve Scott, an EBT user in Portland.

Scott said he recently used the ebtEDGE app to lock down his card unless he is using it.

DHHS staff said the impact

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