What should I do if my EBT card or PIN is lost or stolen, or I see unauthorized charges?
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Protect your benefits by contacting customer service right away. The federal law that protects against unauthorized charges and errors on most government benefit cards doesn’t cover government issued Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. Some states, however, may have programs to help you recover lost benefits.
If you have an EBT card for needs-tested benefits through your state or local government, you do not have guaranteed federal protections against loss or theft. Benefit cards not covered include Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, previously called “food stamps,” Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Women, Infant and Children (WIC) benefits.
As of the date this page was last reviewed, if you have an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, previously called “food stamps,” all fifty states will replace stolen benefits in some circumstances. You should contact your local SNAP office right away if you think your SNAP benefits were stolen. USDA provides a list of each state’s EBT customer service numbers and websites for SNAP benefits: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory .
If your card is lost or stolen, contact customer service right away and report the loss or wrong charge. This will help to stop future thefts from your account. Some states may also be able to resolve incorrect charges or replace stolen funds.
You can find the customer service number on the back of your card or on the program’s website. The USDA also provides a list of each state’s EBT customer service numbers and websites for SNAP benefits, as well as information on replacement card plans for individual states .