For the purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires, “benefit transfer instrument” means a food stamp coupon, authorization-to-purchase card, or electronic benefits transfer card. A person commits a fraudulent practice if that person does any of the following:
 1. With intent to gain financial assistance to which that person is not entitled, knowingly makes or causes to be made a false statement or representation or knowingly fails to report to an employee of the department of human services any change in income, resources or other circumstances affecting that person’s entitlement to such financial assistance.

Terms Used In Iowa Code 234.13

  • Beneficiary: A person who is entitled to receive the benefits or proceeds of a will, trust, insurance policy, retirement plan, annuity, or other contract. Source: OCC
  • Department: means the department of human services. See Iowa Code 249L.2
  • Entitlement: A Federal program or provision of law that requires payments to any person or unit of government that meets the eligibility criteria established by law. Entitlements constitute a binding obligation on the part of the Federal Government, and eligible recipients have legal recourse if the obligation is not fulfilled. Social Security and veterans' compensation and pensions are examples of entitlement programs.
  • following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Food programs: means the food stamp and donated foods programs authorized by federal law under the United States department of agriculture. See Iowa Code 234.1
  • person: means individual, corporation, limited liability company, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, or any other legal entity. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" may include the said district and territories. See Iowa Code 4.1
 2. As a beneficiary of the food programs, transfers any food stamp benefit transfer instrument to any other individual with intent that the benefit transfer instrument be used for the benefit of someone other than persons within the beneficiary’s food stamp household as certified by the department of human services.
 3. Knowingly acquires, uses or attempts to use any food stamp benefit transfer instrument which was not issued for the benefit of that person’s food stamp household by the department of human services, or by an agency administering food programs in another state.
 4. Acquires, alters, transfers, or redeems a food stamp benefit transfer instrument or possesses a benefit transfer instrument, knowing that the benefit transfer instrument has been received, transferred, or used in violation of this section or the provisions of the federal food stamp program under 7 U.S.C. ch. 51 or the federal regulations issued pursuant to that chapter.
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