Suffolk Social Services Examiner Accused of Stealing More Than $78,000 in SNAP Benefits

A Suffolk County Department of Social Services examiner has been arrested for allegedly creating fraudulent SNAP cases and issuing more than $78,000 in unauthorized benefits, prosecutors said.

Kevin Eduardo Hernandez Meza, 23, of Port Jefferson Station, was arraigned Wednesday, Oct. 7, on one count of second-degree grand larceny, a felony, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.

Prosecutors said Hernandez Meza worked as a Social Services Examiner from Sept. 9, 2025, through Sept. 5, 2026. His responsibilities included reviewing existing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cases to determine whether recipients remained eligible for benefits.

An internal audit was launched after a case created by Hernandez Meza was flagged as suspicious, prosecutors said.

Investigators allege Hernandez Meza opened seven SNAP cases for people who had neither applied for benefits nor requested public assistance. He then allegedly issued ongoing monthly benefits as well as additional unauthorized payments totaling $78,904.

“This defendant was entrusted with protecting the integrity of our public assistance system,” Tierney said. “Instead, he allegedly abused that trust by creating fraudulent SNAP cases and directing tens of thousands of dollars in unauthorized benefits.”

Tierney said the case was referred to his office by Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine’s office.

The investigation into the full extent of Hernandez Meza’s alleged conduct remains ongoing.

Hernandez Meza was arrested Tuesday by Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office detectives and arraigned the following day before Riverhead Town Justice Lori Hulse.

The charge is not bail eligible under current New York law, prosecutors said. Hernandez Meza was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to return to court Oct. 20.

He faces five to 15 years in prison if convicted and is represented by the Legal Aid Society.

The case is being prosecuted by Alexander D. Sylvan of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Public Corruption Bureau. Hernandez Meza is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.