Were You Accused of SNAP or TANF Fraud?

Dealing with this can feel overwhelming. We’ll walk you through it step by step.  

Step 1: Stay calm and don’t rush to explain  

It’s natural to want to “clear things up,” but that can backfire.  

• Investigators are trained to ask questions that may lead to admissions.
• Even innocent statements can be misunderstood or taken out of context.  

You do not have to explain everything right away.  

Caution: Scams are common. If you get a call or email from someone you don’t know, it’s always a good idea to pause. Be wary of people who try to get you to act quickly. This is a red flag.  

Step 2: Get the investigator’s information  

Before anything else, ask:  

• Where they work (often the Oregon Department of Human Services).
• Phone number.
• Case or reference number.
• Why are they contacting you. 

This helps you verify the contact and respond appropriately later.  

Step 3: Do NOT answer detailed questions or sign anything without legal advice  

You have the right to say something like: “I’d like to speak with a lawyer before answering questions or signing this form.” 

That's especially important if the investigator asks about: 

• Income reporting.
• Who lives in your household?
• Benefits you received. 

This is true whether the contact is by phone, letter, or in person. 

Step 4: Get free legal help by calling Oregon’s Public Benefits Hotline 

This hotline is answered by legal aid lawyers and staff. They can help you understand what is happening and what to do next. 

Find out how to contact the hotline and its hours of operation here. 

If you’re accused of fraud, you will get a letter from the Oregon Department of Human Services called an Agreement to Intentional Program Violation.  

Before you decide what to do, read these steps carefully.  

Step 1: Read the letter and understand your choices  

The letter usually gives you three options:  

1. Do nothing, which means a hearing will be scheduled automatically.
2. Sign the form admitting you did something wrong and skip the hearing.
3. Sign the form, but don't admit you did something wrong, and skip the hearing.  

Step 2: Understand what happens if you sign the form 

The letter may ask you to sign a form saying you broke the program rules. 

If you sign this form (even if you don't admit you did anything wrong), here's what will happen: 

• You will have an intentional program violation on your record. The Oregon Department of Human Services keeps track of your violations, and the penalties get more serious with each one.
• You will be banned from getting benefits for one year if this is your first violation. If it is your second, you will be banned for two years. If it is your third, you will be banned permanently.
• You may also have to repay money to the Oregon Department of Human Services if you received more benefits than you were supposed to. This is called an overpayment. Learn more overpayments here. 

Step 3: Understand what happens if you DON'T sign the form 

If you do not sign the paperwork, the Oregon Department of Human Services will automatically schedule a hearing. They will mail you a notice with the date and time of the hearing. 

The hearing is your chance to tell your side of the story. It is also the Oregon Department of Human Services' chance to explain why they think you broke the rules. 

If you win the hearing, the fraud case will go away. You can keep getting benefits if you’re still eligible. 

If you go to a hearing and lose: 

• You will still be disqualified from SNAP or TANF for one year or more (depending on whether this is your first, second, or third violation).
• You may end up with a larger overpayment if you continue to get benefits while waiting for the hearing.   

Step 4: Get free legal advice if you're not sure what to do 

You can call Oregon’s Public Benefits hotline for free advice on SNAP, TANF, and other government assistance programs.  

The hotline is answered by lawyers and staff at Oregon’s legal aid organizations. They can help you understand your options and give you advice about what to do next. 

Find out how to contact the hotline and the hours it operates here.  

Step 5: Take action 

You can either:  

• Ignore the form and wait for ODHS to set a hearing, or
• Sign the form and accept the consequences of the intentional program violation. 

It depends on your situation.  

If you broke the rules, having a hearing may not help. If you lose the hearing, you may owe more money if you keep getting benefits while waiting for the hearing. 

On the other hand, you may want to go to the hearing if:  

• You did not break the rules.
• They have the facts wrong.
• You have proof that supports your side.
• You have a really good reason for breaking the rules. 

How do I prepare for my hearing?  

Intentional Program Violation hearings are serious. You should plan to prepare before the hearing date.  

For general hearing preparation, start by reading our guide to preparing for an administrative hearing in Oregon.  

For an Intentional Program Violation hearing, pay special attention to these steps:  

1. Ask for the evidence against you. You have a right to see the evidence they plan to use against you. Call the Office of Administrative Hearings (the number will be on your hearing notice) and ask for the evidence.
2. Check the facts. Look for mistakes in dates, income amounts, addresses, household members, and notices.
3. Gather proof that supports your side. This could include pay stubs, lease papers, bank records, letters, texts, emails, or other documents.
4. Send your evidence before the hearing. Read your hearing notice to find out how to send evidence and when it is due. Oregon Law Help’s hearing guide explains more about how to send evidence before a hearing.
5. Write down what you want to say. Notes can help you explain your side clearly. The hearing guide also has tips on preparing your testimony and questions for witnesses.  

What evidence should I bring?  

Bring evidence that helps show what really happened. The right evidence depends on what the Oregon Department of Human Services says you did wrong.  

If they say you did not report someone living with you  

You might use:  

• A lease or rental agreement.
• Utility bills in your name.
• Mail showing that the other person lived somewhere else.
• Bank records showing you did not share expenses.
• A letter from a landlord, roommate, or other witness.  

If they say you did not report income  

You might use:  

• Pay stubs.
• Bank statements.
• Tax forms, like W-2s or 1099s.
• A letter from your employer with your work dates and pay rate.
• Benefit letters, like unemployment or Social Security letters.  

If they have the wrong dates  

You might use proof that shows:  

• When your job started or ended.
• When someone moved in or moved out.
• When your income changed.
• When you told SNAP or TANF about the change.  

This can matter even if you broke a rule. If they used the wrong dates, the overpayment amount may be too high.  

If you had a good reason for what happened  

You might use:  

• Text messages
• Emails
• Photos or videos
• Police reports
• Medical records
• Letters from witnesses  

Need more help choosing evidence? Read our administrative hearing guide. It explains what evidence can include and how to use witnesses or written statements.  

What happens if I lose the hearing?  

If you lose the hearing, here’s what happens:  

• You will have an intentional program violation on your record. The Oregon Department of Human Services keeps track of your violations, and the penalties get more serious with each one.
• You will be banned from getting benefits for one year if this is your first violation. If it is your second, you will be banned for two years. If it is your third, you will be banned permanently.
• You may also have to repay money to the Oregon Department of Human Services if you received more benefits than you were supposed to. This is called an overpayment. Learn more overpayments here. 

Can I appeal if I lose?  

Yes. If you lose the hearing, you may be able to appeal. You usually have 30 days to start an appeal.  

Appeals can be hard to do on your own. Call Oregon’s Public Benefits Hotline right away if you want help deciding whether to appeal.