{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/63.2-523.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/63.2-523.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/63.2-523.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/63.2-523.html"}],"law_id":66086,"edition_id":1,"section_id":66086,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-523","catch_line":"Unauthorized use of food stamps, electronic benefit transfer cards, and energy assistance prohibited; penalties","history":"1975, c. 388, \u00a7 63.1-124.1; 1978, c. 731; 1984, c. 535; 1994, c. 249; 2002, c. 747; 2016, c. 501.","full_text":"Whoever knowingly and with intent to defraud transfers, acquires, alters, traffics in or uses, or aids or abets another person in transferring, acquiring, altering, trafficking in, using, or possessing food stamps, electronic benefit transfer cards or other devices subject to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulations regarding Electronic Fund Transfers, 12 C.F.R. \u00a7 1005.1 et seq., or benefits from energy assistance programs, or possesses food coupons, authorization to purchase cards, electronic benefit transfer cards or other devices subject to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulations regarding Electronic Fund Transfers, 12 C.F.R. \u00a7 1005.1 et seq., or benefits from energy assistance programs in any manner not authorized by law is guilty of larceny.\n\t\tA violation of this section may be prosecuted either in the county or city where the public assistance was granted or in the county or city where the violation occurred.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":240095,"text":"Whoever knowingly and with intent to defraud transfers, acquires, alters, traffics in or uses, or aids or abets another person in transferring, acquiring, altering, trafficking in, using, or possessing food stamps, electronic benefit transfer cards or other devices subject to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulations regarding Electronic Fund Transfers, 12 C.F.R. \u00a7 1005.1 et seq., or benefits from energy assistance programs, or possesses food coupons, authorization to purchase cards, electronic benefit transfer cards or other devices subject to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulations regarding Electronic Fund Transfers, 12 C.F.R. \u00a7 1005.1 et seq., or benefits from energy assistance programs in any manner not authorized by law is guilty of larceny.\n\t\tA violation of this section may be prosecuted either in the county or city where the public assistance was granted or in the county or city where the violation occurred.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":14573,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14331,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:43","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:43","permalink":{"id":271057,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14573,"identifier":"5","token":"63.2\/II\/5","url":"\/63.2\/II\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14331,"edition_id":1,"name":"Public Assistance","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12789,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:46","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:46","permalink":{"id":271055,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14331,"identifier":"II","token":"63.2\/II","url":"\/63.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12789,"edition_id":1,"name":"Welfare (Social Services)","identifier":"63.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":270661,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12789,"identifier":"63.2","token":"63.2","url":"\/63.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":57625,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-500","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/63.2-500\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-500","metadata":false},{"id":75440,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-501","catch_line":"Application for assistance","url":"\/63.2-501\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-501","metadata":false},{"id":83249,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-501.1","catch_line":"Application for public assistance; accurate contact information; authorized disclosures","url":"\/63.2-501.1\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-501.1","metadata":false},{"id":69115,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-502","catch_line":"False application or false swearing; penalty","url":"\/63.2-502\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-502","metadata":false},{"id":78403,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-503","catch_line":"Procedure upon receipt of application","url":"\/63.2-503\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-503","metadata":false},{"id":85810,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-503.1","catch_line":"Legal presence required for public assistance; exceptions; proof of legal presence","url":"\/63.2-503.1\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-503.1","metadata":false},{"id":72401,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-504","catch_line":"Decision of local department that applicant entitled to public assistance","url":"\/63.2-504\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-504","metadata":false},{"id":56053,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-505","catch_line":"Determining the amount of public assistance","url":"\/63.2-505\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-505","metadata":false},{"id":61829,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-505.1","catch_line":"Transitional food stamp benefits","url":"\/63.2-505.1\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-505.1","metadata":false},{"id":82597,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-505.2","catch_line":"Eligibility for food stamps; drug-related felonies","url":"\/63.2-505.2\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-505.2","metadata":false},{"id":81461,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-506","catch_line":"Public assistance not transferable or subject to execution","url":"\/63.2-506\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-506","metadata":false},{"id":68468,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-507","catch_line":"Personal representatives for recipients of public assistance funds","url":"\/63.2-507\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-507","metadata":false},{"id":68477,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-508","catch_line":"Fees for representing applicant or recipient","url":"\/63.2-508\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-508","metadata":false},{"id":81049,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-509","catch_line":"Public assistance subject to amendment or repeal of laws","url":"\/63.2-509\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-509","metadata":false},{"id":77010,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-510","catch_line":"Obligation of person to support certain children living in same home; penalty","url":"\/63.2-510\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-510","metadata":false},{"id":66353,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-511","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/63.2-511\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-511","metadata":false},{"id":67528,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-512","catch_line":"Recovery of public assistance erroneously paid","url":"\/63.2-512\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-512","metadata":false},{"id":70279,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-513","catch_line":"Notification of change in circumstances","url":"\/63.2-513\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-513","metadata":false},{"id":83840,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-514","catch_line":"Reconsideration or changes in amount of public assistance; cancellation","url":"\/63.2-514\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-514","metadata":false},{"id":61948,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-515","catch_line":"Notice to applicant or recipient of decision","url":"\/63.2-515\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-515","metadata":false},{"id":83455,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-516","catch_line":"Record of decision","url":"\/63.2-516\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-516","metadata":false},{"id":70973,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-517","catch_line":"Right of appeal to Commissioner","url":"\/63.2-517\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-517","metadata":false},{"id":58129,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-518","catch_line":"Action by Commissioner on appeal","url":"\/63.2-518\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-518","metadata":false},{"id":76684,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-519","catch_line":"Finality of decision of Commissioner","url":"\/63.2-519\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-519","metadata":false},{"id":62945,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-520","catch_line":"How public assistance paid","url":"\/63.2-520\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-520","metadata":false},{"id":81950,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-521","catch_line":"Change of residence","url":"\/63.2-521\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-521","metadata":false},{"id":58163,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-522","catch_line":"False statements, representations, impersonations and fraudulent devices; penalty","url":"\/63.2-522\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-522","metadata":false},{"id":66086,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-523","catch_line":"Unauthorized use of food stamps, electronic benefit transfer cards, and energy assistance prohibited; penalties","url":"\/63.2-523\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-523","metadata":false},{"id":76772,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-524","catch_line":"Denial of benefits upon finding of fraudulent acts","url":"\/63.2-524\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-524","metadata":false},{"id":61748,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-525","catch_line":"Payment by Department for legal services","url":"\/63.2-525\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-525","metadata":false},{"id":77559,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-526","catch_line":"Statewide fraud control program","url":"\/63.2-526\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-526","metadata":false},{"id":57585,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-527","catch_line":"Notice of earned income tax credit","url":"\/63.2-527\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-527","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":58163,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-522","catch_line":"False statements, representations, impersonations and fraudulent devices; penalty","url":"\/63.2-522\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-522","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":76772,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-524","catch_line":"Denial of benefits upon finding of fraudulent acts","url":"\/63.2-524\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-524","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/63.2-523\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1975. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 388 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1975 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 5 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1978, chapter 731; in 1984, chapter 535; in 1994, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?941+ful+CHAP0249\">249<\/a>; in 2002, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?021+ful+CHAP0747\">747<\/a>; in 2016, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?161+ful+CHAP0501\">501<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":61748,"section_number":"63.2-525","catch_line":"Payment by Department for legal services","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-525\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":271167,"object_type":"law","relational_id":66086,"identifier":"63.2-523","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-523","url":"\/63.2-523\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/63.2-523\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-523","dublin_core":{"Title":"Unauthorized use of food stamps, electronic benefit transfer cards, and energy assistance prohibited; penalties","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 63.2-523","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Whoever knowingly and with <span class=\"dictionary\">intent<\/span> to defraud transfers, acquires, alters, traffics in or uses, or aids or abets another person in transferring, acquiring, altering, trafficking in, using, or possessing food stamps, electronic benefit transfer cards or other devices subject to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulations regarding Electronic Fund Transfers, 12 C.F.R. \u00a7&nbsp;1005.1 et seq., or benefits from <span class=\"dictionary\">energy assistance<\/span> programs, or possesses food coupons, authorization to purchase cards, electronic benefit transfer cards or other devices subject to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulations regarding Electronic Fund Transfers, 12 C.F.R. \u00a7&nbsp;1005.1 et seq., or benefits from <span class=\"dictionary\">energy assistance<\/span> programs in any manner not authorized by <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span> is guilty of <span class=\"dictionary\">larceny<\/span>.\n\t\tA violation of this section may be prosecuted either in the county or city where the <span class=\"dictionary\">public assistance<\/span> was granted or in the county or city where the violation occurred.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nUNAUTHORIZED USE OF FOOD STAMPS, ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER CARDS, AND ENERGY\nASSISTANCE PROHIBITED; PENALTIES (\u00a7 63.2-523)\n\nWhoever knowingly and with intent to defraud transfers, acquires, alters,\ntraffics in or uses, or aids or abets another person in transferring, acquiring,\naltering, trafficking in, using, or possessing food stamps, electronic benefit\ntransfer cards or other devices subject to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau\nregulations regarding Electronic Fund Transfers, 12 C.F.R. \u00a7 1005.1 et seq., or\nbenefits from energy assistance programs, or possesses food coupons,\nauthorization to purchase cards, electronic benefit transfer cards or other\ndevices subject to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulations regarding\nElectronic Fund Transfers, 12 C.F.R. \u00a7 1005.1 et seq., or benefits from energy\nassistance programs in any manner not authorized by law is guilty of larceny.\n\t\tA violation of this section may be prosecuted either in the county or city\nwhere the public assistance was granted or in the county or city where the\nviolation occurred.\n\nHISTORY: 1975, c. 388, \u00a7 63.1-124.1; 1978, c. 731; 1984, c. 535; 1994, c. 249;\n2002, c. 747; 2016, c. 501.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}