How a disabled woman lost her last $400 to an expiry scam—protect your money now!
By
Veronica E.
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In today’s economy, every dollar matters—especially for those who rely on assistance programs to get by.
Joyce Haught, a disabled woman from Anchorage, Alaska, learned this the hard way when her last $400 vanished from her account due to an unexpected policy change.
What was supposed to be a safety net turned into a devastating financial loss, leaving her with no way to recover the stolen funds.
Her story is a wake-up call for anyone depending on government aid, exposing the urgent need for better communication and protection against scams.
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Joyce and her husband depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to afford groceries—just like millions of other Americans.
But when a thief drained her SNAP benefits, she was met with an unexpected roadblock: the reimbursement program that once helped victims like her had quietly ended.
Until recently, SNAP had a federal reimbursement program designed to restore stolen funds.
But that safety net disappeared on December 20—something Joyce only found out after she had already lost her money.
Joyce's frustration grew when she reached out to SNAP officials for help.
Instead of assistance, she got vague answers and discovered that agency staff had been instructed to inform recipients about the policy change in December. But she was never told.
“They connected me with another person who did not give me their name, would not give me their name, and just basically said those few words: ‘As of the 20th of December, we are no longer refunding or reimbursing food stamps that are lost or stolen,’” Joyce told Alaska’s News Source.
Division of Public Assistance Director Deb Etheridge acknowledged Joyce’s hardship, admitting that communication efforts had fallen short.
She also explained that since federal funding was no longer available for reimbursements, their focus had shifted from replacement to prevention.
To reduce fraud, state officials are rolling out chip-enabled EBT cards—a move they hope will help prevent theft. Joyce’s case is far from isolated, as scammers continue to use tactics like:
Authorities urge SNAP users to regularly update their PINs and file police reports if they suspect fraud. They're also working to prevent stolen benefits from being spent out of state—a measure that has already saved millions of dollars.
Joyce’s experience is a powerful reminder that staying informed is key to protecting your finances. Here are some steps you can take:
Joyce’s story highlights how quickly financial security can vanish and the need to stay informed. While prevention efforts are underway, many remain at risk. Staying vigilant, securing benefits, and demanding transparency can help protect those who need it most.
Read next: Is your budget safe? What you need to know about "mandatory spending" cuts
Have you or someone you know experienced financial loss due to a policy change or scam? How do you protect your personal information? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Joyce Haught, a disabled woman from Anchorage, Alaska, learned this the hard way when her last $400 vanished from her account due to an unexpected policy change.
What was supposed to be a safety net turned into a devastating financial loss, leaving her with no way to recover the stolen funds.
Her story is a wake-up call for anyone depending on government aid, exposing the urgent need for better communication and protection against scams.
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Joyce Haught, a disabled woman from Anchorage, Alaska, struggles to recover her stolen SNAP benefits after a federal reimbursement program unexpectedly ended. Image Source: The Sun / alaskasnewssource.
The Disappearance of a Lifeline
Joyce and her husband depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to afford groceries—just like millions of other Americans.
But when a thief drained her SNAP benefits, she was met with an unexpected roadblock: the reimbursement program that once helped victims like her had quietly ended.
Until recently, SNAP had a federal reimbursement program designed to restore stolen funds.
But that safety net disappeared on December 20—something Joyce only found out after she had already lost her money.
Also read: This mom lost her $1,500 SNAP benefits—protect your groceries now!
A Systemic Breakdown in Communication
Joyce's frustration grew when she reached out to SNAP officials for help.
Instead of assistance, she got vague answers and discovered that agency staff had been instructed to inform recipients about the policy change in December. But she was never told.
“They connected me with another person who did not give me their name, would not give me their name, and just basically said those few words: ‘As of the 20th of December, we are no longer refunding or reimbursing food stamps that are lost or stolen,’” Joyce told Alaska’s News Source.
Division of Public Assistance Director Deb Etheridge acknowledged Joyce’s hardship, admitting that communication efforts had fallen short.
She also explained that since federal funding was no longer available for reimbursements, their focus had shifted from replacement to prevention.
Also read: The FBI just revealed two words that signal you're being scammed—find out now!
The Fight Against SNAP Scams
To reduce fraud, state officials are rolling out chip-enabled EBT cards—a move they hope will help prevent theft. Joyce’s case is far from isolated, as scammers continue to use tactics like:
- Robocalls impersonating SNAP representatives, asking for card details.
- Card skimming, where hidden devices steal card information at store checkouts.
Authorities urge SNAP users to regularly update their PINs and file police reports if they suspect fraud. They're also working to prevent stolen benefits from being spent out of state—a measure that has already saved millions of dollars.
Also read: Revealed: The “Hustle Kingdom” scam empire where Americans are the prime targets
Protecting Your Money: What You Can Do
Joyce’s experience is a powerful reminder that staying informed is key to protecting your finances. Here are some steps you can take:
- Stay informed: Follow updates from your benefit provider and read all notices carefully.
- Secure your card: Change your PIN regularly and never share your card details over the phone.
- Report suspicious activity: If you suspect fraud, file a police report and alert your benefit provider immediately.
- Use technology wisely: If chip-enabled EBT cards are available, use them for added security.
- Demand transparency: Government agencies must do better in keeping recipients informed—don't hesitate to ask questions.
Joyce’s story highlights how quickly financial security can vanish and the need to stay informed. While prevention efforts are underway, many remain at risk. Staying vigilant, securing benefits, and demanding transparency can help protect those who need it most.
Read next: Is your budget safe? What you need to know about "mandatory spending" cuts
Key Takeaways
- A disabled woman in Anchorage, Alaska, named Joyce Haught was left without funds after her last $400 in SNAP benefits were stolen. She was unable to claim reimbursement due to the expiration of a federal program.
- Joyce relies on disability benefits alongside her husband to purchase groceries and has been significantly impacted by the loss of her SNAP benefits.
- The state agency's focus has shifted from reimbursing stolen benefits to prevention, including transitioning to chip-enabled EBT cards and educating recipients about scams.
- Despite these efforts, Joyce feels that communication regarding policy changes and access to critical information needs improvement, especially since she was unaware that the reimbursement program had ended until recently.
Have you or someone you know experienced financial loss due to a policy change or scam? How do you protect your personal information? Share your thoughts in the comments below!