An Oklahoma woman faces felony charges after investigators accused her of improperly collecting more than $15,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits while concealing income and listing people who no longer lived in her household.
Amberley Rose Avery, 43, allegedly received the benefits between April 2022 and December 2025.
Investigators also say Avery allowed another person to use her electronic benefits transfer card and PIN to purchase groceries in exchange for hair services.
She is charged with food stamp fraud and trafficking in food stamps.
Investigators Say Her Household Information Was Inaccurate
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services investigation focused partly on the income and household information Avery supplied while receiving assistance. Authorities allege that she failed to disclose income that should have been considered when the agency determined her eligibility and monthly benefit amount, according to OKC Fox.
Investigators also accuse Avery of continuing to list people as household members after they had been incarcerated or stopped living with her. Authorities say Avery improperly received more than $15,000 between April 2022 and December 2025.
Her EBT Card Was Allegedly Exchanged for Hair Services
The trafficking allegation concerns a separate arrangement involving Avery’s EBT card and another person who provided hair services. Investigators say Avery supplied the person with her card and PIN, allowing that individual to purchase groceries with SNAP benefits. Avery allegedly received hair services in return.
Avery is charged with food stamp fraud and trafficking in food stamps. The charges remain allegations, and Avery has not been reported as convicted in the case.
Letting Someone Shop Is Different From Trading Benefits
Federal SNAP rules allow benefits to be used to purchase eligible food for the participating household, including in some circumstances by a person the household selects to shop on its behalf. That does not permit the recipient to sell access to the benefits or exchange the EBT card, card number or PIN for cash, merchandise or personal services.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture identifies offering to sell SNAP benefits or an EBT card as an intentional program violation. Benefits must be used to purchase eligible food for the household rather than as payment for another transaction.
A recipient who needs help shopping should contact the agency administering the case and ask how to designate an authorized representative. The card and PIN should not be offered as compensation.
Income and Household Changes Can Be Reported Online
Oklahoma Human Services directs SNAP recipients to report changes as soon as they occur so the agency can calculate the correct benefit amount. The state’s online Change in Household Circumstances form accepts updates involving income, work hours, addresses, housing expenses, bank accounts and property.
A household member who moves out, becomes incarcerated or otherwise stops purchasing and preparing food with the household may affect the case. The recipient should report the change and allow the agency to determine its effect rather than continuing to use information from an earlier application.
Copies of submitted forms, confirmation numbers, pay records, incarceration information and agency notices should be retained. Those records can help establish when a change was reported and what information the agency received. Questions about an existing SNAP case can be directed to Oklahoma Human Services at 405-522-5050.
Suspected SNAP Fraud Can Be Reported to the State
The Oklahoma Human Services Office of Inspector General investigates alleged fraud and misuse involving SNAP and other public-assistance programs. Reports can be made through the statewide welfare-fraud hotline at 1-800-784-5887 or by emailing OIGFraud2@okdhs.org.
A report should include only information the person can document, such as names, dates, benefit exchanges, advertisements, messages or transaction details. An allegation should not be based solely on assumptions about another household’s appearance, purchases or income.