An Ankeny man is suing the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) after being denied food assistance, even though a court vacated the very conviction that originally led to his disqualification.
Charles Hasselmann, 32, says he was wrongly denied access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in 2023 while he was incarcerated. His lawsuit, filed recently, claims that DHHS failed to account for a judge’s order that had overturned a habitual offender enhancement tied to his theft conviction.
According to court records, Hasselmann was arrested and imprisoned in connection to a 2017 theft charge that was enhanced by Iowa’s habitual offender statute. The enhancement significantly increased his sentencing and directly impacted his eligibility for state benefits, including SNAP.
However, a district judge later ruled that there was no sufficient factual basis to support the habitual offender designation. As a result, the court vacated the enhancement and also overturned the probation revocation that had sent Hasselmann back to prison.
Despite this legal victory, Iowa’s DHHS still notified Hasselmann that he would be disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for at least 12 months. The department also ordered him to repay a portion of benefits it claimed were improperly issued—an amount Hasselmann argues was due to unauthorized use of his EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card while he was in jail.
Legal Action Against the State
In his lawsuit, Hasselmann demands reinstatement of his SNAP benefits and an injunction to stop further collection efforts related to alleged overpayments. He argues that the department’s decision to deny him assistance directly violates the court’s ruling and disregards his current status under the law.
Now recently released from a more than two-year incarceration, Hasselmann says he has no stable income, no job, and no reliable access to food. His legal filing states that the public interest is best served when vulnerable individuals are given access to basic nutritional support, especially when prior legal penalties have been overturned.
“This isn’t just about food,” Hasselmann wrote in his legal complaint. “It’s about being treated fairly under the law.
State’s Response
While Iowa’s DHHS has not yet responded officially to the lawsuit, state officials have maintained that the underlying theft conviction still stands, even if the enhancement was vacated. They say Hasselmann entered a plea agreement that resulted in a five-year prison sentence, and that conviction continues to affect his eligibility for certain benefits.
In addition, the department’s restitution claim suggests that overpayments occurred while Hasselmann was incarcerated and that someone else may have accessed his benefits improperly. Hasselmann denies any wrongdoing and asserts he had no control over the use of his EBT card during his imprisonment.
A Complex Legal History
Hasselmann’s record includes multiple prior convictions, including for theft, driving while barred, forgery, assault, and operating while intoxicated. Despite his criminal background, his legal team argues that the vacating of the habitual offender enhancement legally resets the terms of his punishment—meaning any administrative penalties based on that status should no longer apply.
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services oversees SNAP benefit eligibility in the state. According to federal rules, SNAP eligibility can be influenced by certain criminal convictions, but state agencies must follow due process and reflect any updated legal status when making decisions.
SNAP Rules and Eligibility
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, is a federal nutrition program designed to support low-income individuals and families. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) sets the core rules, state agencies like Iowa’s DHHS administer the program locally.
You can learn more about Iowa’s SNAP program through the official Iowa Department of Health and Human Services website and federal rules.