Summary
Many Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) want better security for their benefit cards. A recent survey found that a majority of recipients prefer chip-enabled cards and automatic fraud monitoring to protect against theft.
Key Facts
- Over half of SNAP recipients want chip-enabled cards, up from the previous year.
- 60% of those surveyed feel safer with around-the-clock fraud monitoring.
- Propel conducted the survey with 8,164 EBT cardholders in early February 2026.
- The Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act aims to require states to use chip-enabled technology for SNAP cards.
- California and Oklahoma have started using chip-enabled cards to reduce fraud.
- In 2025, theft accounted for over $600 million in stolen SNAP benefits.
- More than half of theft victims reported skipping meals or going into debt due to stolen benefits.
- On average, SNAP benefit payments were $187.93 per person monthly in 2025.
