May 10, 2023
PRESENTERS
Ashley Black, Public Justice Center
Michelle Madaio, Homeless Persons Representation Project
JD Robinson, Maryland Hunger Solutions
Justice for Breakfast PowerPoint presentation
More than 3,800 households in Maryland receiving food and cash assistance benefits have had over $2.5 million in benefits stolen due to Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card skimming theft. This nationwide crisis has left the victims, including families with young children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities, unable to afford food, rent, and utilities, driving them deeper into poverty. As a result of significant collaborative advocacy between anti-poverty advocates and the new administration of Maryland’s Department of Human Services, Maryland households will finally be able to receive reimbursement for their stolen benefits.
Watch this Justice for Breakfast video from May 4 to hear from the PJC’s Health and Benefits Equity Project along with our allies from the Homeless Persons Representation Project and Maryland Hunger Solutions about the administrative and legislative advocacy efforts conducted by advocates in Maryland to restore benefits for low-income individuals and families. You will also hear about our outreach efforts to directly impacted individuals to ensure that they could meaningfully participate in the legislative process and shape the legislation. Finally, you will hear about major actions taken on the state and federal levels to reimburse victims of EBT card theft and the next steps in our advocacy on this issue.
