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SNAP 905-1 ISSUANCE EBT Expungement

Supersedes: SNAP 905-1 (09/24/22)

Reference: 7 CFR 274.2(i)-(1) and (2), 7 CFR 274.2 (h)(1), 7 CFR 274.2(i)(4), 273.13(b)(2), Section 4006 of 2008 Farm Bill Overview: SNAP benefits are expunged when 274 days have passed from the last time the client completed a SNAP transaction. An EBT account is inactive if the household has not initiated activity that affects the balance of the household's SNAP EBT account, such as a purchase or return. Balance inquiries do not count as a financial transaction. Benefits are expunged on a “first in, first out” basis. For example, if a benefit authorization for the month of September 2024 has been available for use by the household for 274 days, but the household has not used the entirety or September benefits, remaining September benefits must be expunged in May 2025. Additional months’ benefits issued after September would still be available and only expunged if those benefits in additional months are unused after 274 days. Only a benefit authorization that has been accessible to the household for 274 days is subject to be expunged. If one or more subsequent benefit authorizations have been available to the household for less than 274 days for the same household account, they are not to be expunged. A Notice will be sent to the household 30 day before any expungements are made. To avoid expungement, the client must make purchases with benefits issued for a benefit month within 274 days of issuance or last use. The remainder of any benefit month issued, which have not been accessed after issuance or used for purchases after 274 days, will be expunged. In instances when the State agency verifies a death match for all certified members of the household and closes the SNAP case, the State agency shall expunge the remaining SNAP balance in the household's EBT account at that time. Expungement notices are not necessary for these households.