What is an intentional program violation for snap

By November 10, 2025Snap Defense

1. What “Intentional Program Violation” Means

In SNAP, an IPV is when a person knowingly and purposefully breaks SNAP rules to get benefits they are not entitled to. Federal regulations define an IPV as when someone, with deceitful intent:

  • Makes a false or misleading statement

  • Misrepresents, hides, or withholds facts (for example, not reporting income or a household member)

  • Commits an act that violates SNAP laws or regulations, such as trafficking benefits (selling or trading them)

It’s not just a mistake or confusion—there must be intent to cheat the program.

2. Common Examples of IPV in SNAP

Examples that states commonly treat as IPV include:

  • Lying on applications or recertifications

    • Not reporting a job or extra income

    • Saying someone moved out when they still live with you

  • Failure to report changes on purpose

    • Knowing you must report increased income or a new household member but choosing not to

  • Trafficking SNAP benefits

    • Selling your EBT card or PIN for cash

    • Exchanging SNAP benefits for drugs, alcohol, non-food items, or giving them to someone else for money

  • Double dipping

    • Applying for and receiving SNAP in more than one state or under more than one identity

3. How the IPV Process Usually Works

Each state’s Department of Health/Human Services (or similar agency) has a fraud/IPV unit that investigates. The basic steps are:

  1. Investigation

    • The agency reviews your case, wage matches, bank or employer records, and application forms.

    • If they think there is “clear and convincing evidence” you intentionally violated rules, they move forward.

  2. Notice of Suspected IPV

    • You get a written notice explaining:

      • What they think you did

      • The time period involved

      • The potential penalties

    • Often this comes with a “Waiver of Right to Administrative Disqualification Hearing” form (sometimes just called an IPV waiver).

  3. Your Options After Notice
    Typically, you may:

    • Request/attend an administrative disqualification hearing (ADH)

    • Sign the waiver (admitting the IPV and accepting the penalty without a hearing)

    • In more serious cases, the agency may refer the case for criminal prosecution instead of or in addition to an ADH.

Important: Signing a waiver usually means you are admitting an IPV and giving up your right to a hearing. Many legal advocates strongly recommend not signing until you’ve spoken with a lawyer or legal aid.

4. Your Rights if You’re Accused of IPV

If you receive an IPV notice, you generally have these rights (check your state’s specific rules, but they follow federal standards):

  • Right to a fair hearing (ADH or court hearing)

    • To tell your side of the story

    • To explain mistakes, confusion, or lack of intent

  • Right to see the evidence

    • You can ask for the documents they’re using against you

  • Right to present evidence and witnesses

    • Pay stubs, letters, your own testimony, etc.

  • Right to bring a representative

    • A lawyer or legal aid advocate (though the state doesn’t have to provide one for free)

  • Right to appeal

    • If you lose the hearing, there is usually an appeal process outlined in your notice.

Attending the hearing will not result in you being arrested at the hearing itself; it’s an administrative process, not a criminal court proceeding.

5. Penalties for IPV

If the agency or a court finds that you committed an IPV, you face disqualification from SNAP for set periods under federal rules:

  • First IPV: 12-month disqualification (1 year)

  • Second IPV: 24-month disqualification (2 years)

  • Third IPV: Permanent disqualification from SNAP

Harsher penalties apply in specific situations, for example:

  • Trading SNAP for illegal drugs:

    • 2 years for first finding

    • Permanent for second

  • Trading SNAP for firearms, ammunition, explosives:

    • Permanent disqualification on first finding

  • Trafficking $500 or more in SNAP benefits:

    • Permanent disqualification

  • Receiving SNAP in two places at once (fraudulent identity or residence):

    • 10-year disqualification

Only the person found to have committed the IPV is disqualified, but the household as a whole is still responsible for paying back any overpaid benefits.

6. Overpayments / Repayment

If an IPV is established, the agency will also create a claim for overpayment:

  • This is the extra SNAP you received but shouldn’t have.

  • The state can collect this by:

    • Reducing future SNAP benefits (if anyone in the household is still eligible)

    • Setting up a repayment plan

    • Intercepting state or federal tax refunds in some cases

    • Other collection methods allowed by law

IPV-related overpayments generally do not go away just because you are disqualified; the debt remains until repaid or otherwise resolved.

7. What to Do if You Get an IPV Notice

If you got a letter about an “Intentional Program Violation”:

  1. Read the notice carefully

    • Note the deadline to request a hearing or respond.

  2. Do not ignore it

    • If you do nothing, they may disqualify you by default and start collection.

  3. Consider contacting legal aid

    • Many states have free or low-cost legal services that handle SNAP/IPV cases.

  4. Gather your documents

    • Pay stubs, employer letters, proof of who lived in your home, any notices you received, etc.

  5. Be cautious about signing waivers

    • Signing a waiver usually means you accept the IPV finding and penalty without a hearing.

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