Summary
Lawmakers in several U.S. states are changing SNAP benefit cards to reduce electronic theft. Many states are switching to chip-enabled cards to improve security. The goal is to protect millions of people who use SNAP benefits each year from losing money due to card skimming.
Key Facts
- SNAP benefits help millions of Americans buy food and are distributed through electronic benefit cards.
- Skimming, a type of electronic theft, has cost SNAP users at least $320 million from October 2022 to December 2024.
- California reported an 83% decrease in stolen benefits after switching to chip-enabled cards.
- By 2026, states like Oklahoma and Alabama plan to use chip-enabled EBT cards.
- Federal laws, like the Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act, aim to require chip-enabled cards and stop issuing magnetic-stripe cards.
- The USDA may fund states to transition to these more secure cards and support small stores in upgrading their payment systems.
- New regulations may require states to quickly replace stolen or faulty cards and offer accessible account management options.
