Trading food stamps for cash, also known as food stamp trafficking, involves the illegal exchange of government-issued food assistance benefits for monetary compensation. This practice undermines the integrity of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), intended to provide nutritional support to low-income individuals and families.
The consequences of food stamp trafficking are far-reaching. It diverts resources away from those who genuinely need them, perpetuates a black market, and erodes public trust in government assistance programs. Moreover, it can lead to criminal charges and penalties for both the buyer and seller.