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When you’re facing a federal issue, you need an attorney whose going to be available 24/7 to help you get the results and outcome you need. The value of working with the Spodek Law Group is that we treat each and every client like a member of our family.
SNAP Violation Letters – What Not to Do
SNAP Violation Letters – What Not to Do
SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is one of the most widely used of all government programs. This program allows many American families to sidestep a hole in their food budget. The program is administered by the federal government to ensure that all American families get enough to eat each day. Part of the process of administering the program is working directly with retailers. Retailers can choose to be part of this program if they want. Any retailer who decides to accept SNAP payments from their customers is choosing to be part of an official government program. This means they are agreeing to follow all necessary procedures that govern the use of food stamps.
These rules can be exceedingly complex. They can also change over time. All retailers must keep in mind that they have the right to participate under federal law. However, this right can be revoked under certain circumstances. If the retailer is found to be in violation of SNAP procedures, they may face all sorts of unwelcome penalties. That includes fines and the revocation of their ability to accept SNAP payments for a period of time. This may be for a few weeks, a few months, or even a few years.
A SNAP Violation Letter
The federal government is always examining all SNAP records. They want to ensure that no recipients are using these funds in ways not allowed under the terms of the program. For example, people who are given food stamps are not allowed to purchase items ranging from firearms or tobacco to items made of paper. They are also not permitted to exchange the value of the food stamps for cash. Each grocery store owner is entrusted with ensuring the recipient follows these rules. If the store owner is suspected of not doing so, they may receive what is known as a charge letter. The SNAP violation charge letter is sent to retailers who are suspected of violating any SNAP administration laws. This letter includes a cover letter followed by a list of any charges. The recipient only has ten days to respond to it.
A letter of this kind can feel quite shocking. In many instances, a store owner is not aware that something is amiss. The store owner should be aware that this kind of letter deserves a lot of attention. It may be tempting to react quickly and rashly. However, it is better to take some time to contemplate what is happening and how best to respond to it. There are certain things you’ll want to do immediately. There are also certain things that you should not do at all. Any retailer should understand some actions can exacerbate things for them. That is why a careful understanding of these issues is vitally important. The retailer needs to know that such a letter is a very serious matter. Failure to respond in the right way can make it much harder for the retailer by increasing the chances they will lose access to this program.
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
Important Cautions
Bear in mind that if federal officials are sending a letter of this type, they believe they have enough evidence to respond. This is not a warning letter. It is notification that the grocery store owner will be charged with wrongdoing. That is why it is crucial to avoid contacting officials without the help of a lawyer. There is no such thing as an off-the-record conversation. Officials are monitoring everything the grocery store owner says to them. Any conversation, if there is to be one, must be one in which each word is delivered intentionally. Such a conversation may be used against you if the official decides you are admitting guilt.
Another thing to remember is the agency will not offer to negotiate with you in any way even if you get in touch with them and offer to agree to certain penalties right now. They have evidence and they want to see that you are given the penalties required by law. You cannot offer to simply drop out for a week or so and expect officials to respond with an agreement to let you do so. It’s better to examine the website if you have any questions. The site has a lengthy list of regulations as well as answers to common questions for participating grocery stores. The site is updated on a routine basis, making it easy to see the latest federal regulations without speaking with anyone at the agency.
It’s also crucial not to admit that you’ve done anything wrong. The feds, like everyone else, are fallible. They make mistakes. It is entirely possible that someone misread information or misunderstood a conversation at your store. It’s also possible that a computer malfunctioned or someone accidentally inputted wrong data. You should not suggest your employees are guilty of acting wrongly. As the store owner, it is your responsibility to train them. You are responsible for any negative outcomes. This is true even if you were not there when the violation occurred. You are still responsible for any mistakes. The feds will hold you to the agreement you made when you agreed to be part of this program.
Legal Assistance
Above all, it’s best to have someone with you to help make sense of these charges. Any kind of SNAP violation will lead to your inability to accept SNAP payments for at least a few weeks and probably longer. This can drive away even your most loyal customers. They are not going to patronize your store if they can’t pay for items. A skilled lawyer will help you avoid creating any further problems with the federal SNAP program.
