Chair Klopfenstein, Vice Chair Newman, and Members of the Ohio House Agriculture Committee, thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony in support of House Bill (HB) 163. My name is Kyle Thompson, and I am a Policy Associate at the Center for Community Solutions (Community Solutions), a nonpartisan research organization focused on improving the health and economic wellbeing of Ohioans.
The Center for Community Solutions supports the Committee’s efforts to pass legislation that enhances the cybersecurity of Ohioans enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program is crucial to uplifting the well-being of Ohioans. SNAP fraud is a serious issue impacting families receiving benefits. Cyber criminals stole $17 million in benefits from families between June 2023 and the end of 2024. Examples of theft include skimming devices (card readers that pull data) and card cloning (individuals creating fake EBT cards to purchase items with benefits). Investing in chip-enabled SNAP cards reduces counterfeit fraud. States like California that switched to chip-enabled cards reported an 83 percent decrease in repayment for benefits that were stolen.
Community Solutions has been a continuous advocate for legislation such as HB 163 to address the significance of stolen benefits and its impact on families. We find the inclusion of a website mechanism to report fraud extremely beneficial, as it ensures that victims can report their experiences in a timely and accurate manner. This also allows the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to respond promptly in the event of fraud.
Victims of EBT theft don’t just lose benefits; skimming reduces access to a resource that allows an individual to fundamentally meet nutrition needs. Introducing an electronic chip for recipients would position Ohio as a leader nationally ensuring that recipients of SNAP are protected.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony for HB163. Community Solutions is dedicated to ensuring that policy improves the health and wellbeing of Ohioans. HB163 protects SNAP recipients, ensuring that they can meet their needs without the additional challenge of worrying about the security of their benefits. I welcome any opportunity to share research that we have done to address any further questions. Thank you!
Kyle Thompson
Policy Associate
(614)-602-5514 ext. 304
kthompson@communitysolutions.com
