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Chair Matt Fruman advances bill to protect residents from EBT theft, add reimbursements
Summary
The Committee on Human Services moved B26-0367, the Public Benefit Security Amendment Act of 2025, which would require chip EBT cards, create a reimbursement process and dedicated funding, set reporting timelines, and extend the DC Flex rent subsidy pilot by one year.
Chair Matt Fruman, Ward 3 council member and chair of the Committee on Human Services, moved to report B26-0367, the Public Benefit Security Amendment Act of 2025, after outlining the bill’s protections for residents whose SNAP or TANF benefits are stolen. "The bill before us will protect DC residents from benefits theft and ensure a reliable process to restore stolen funds," Fruman said.
Fruman told the committee that public benefits theft in the district has totaled more than $10,000,000 over the past three years and described widespread reports from residents who found EBT balances of $0 when attempting to buy food. The legislation would require the District’s Department of Human Services (DHS) to transition from magnetic-strip EBT cards to chip-based cards that, he said, generate one-time codes and are expected by DHS to reduce theft by about 75%. The bill also creates a formal process and dedicated funding for reimbursing residents whose benefits are stolen.
The committee adopted three changes to the introduced version: residents must report theft within six months and within 45 days of discovering it; DHS will have 20 days (instead of 10) to restore benefits to allow time for verification; and the bill extends the DC Flex flexible rent subsidy pilot for one year so the council can review a forthcoming report before considering permanent authorization. Fruman noted that DC Flex can cover up to 100% of a household’s monthly rent and that its current authorization expires on 09/30/2026.
A committee member who spoke in support said they had sent a letter to DHS in August seeking information about the scope and internal management of SNAP and TANF theft, and cited agency-reported figures: more than $10,000,000 of theft, over 8,000 claims in fiscal year 2024 and about 5,600 cases in August of fiscal year 2025. The committee member called the chip-card change "common sense" and backed the timeline adjustments as aligned to DHS capacity.
Fruman moved the committee print and report for B26-0367 with leave for staff to make technical and editorial changes. The committee conducted a voice vote; one committee member recorded "Aye," and the chair declared the ayes have it, passing the motion. The print will proceed with the committee’s report and with staff authorized to make conforming edits.
