If money disappeared from your EBT card, act fast. Thieves usually steal SNAP by skimming: a hidden device on a store card reader copies your card number and PIN, and a cloned card is used to drain your balance, often right after your benefits load. The hard news is that federal replacement of stolen SNAP ended: USDA can no longer replace benefits stolen after December 20, 2024, because Congress did not extend that authority.
That makes prevention and quick action the most important steps. This guide covers what to do in the first hour, whether any replacement is still possible, how skimming works, and how to lock down your card. It is part of our SNAP and EBT guides.
What to do right away
- Call your state’s EBT customer service line (the number on the back of your card) and report the card stolen or compromised. Ask them to cancel it and send a new card. The numbers for every state are in our guide to replacing a lost or stolen EBT card.
- Change your PIN through the card app, website or phone line if the card is still active. A new PIN makes a cloned card useless.
- Report the theft to your SNAP office in writing, with dates, amounts and store locations from your transaction history. Keep a copy.
- Check your transaction history in your state’s EBT app or portal. Screenshot the unauthorized purchases.
- File a police report if your state asks for one or if you want a record. Some state programs require it.
- Ask about state help. Ask your SNAP office whether your state has its own replacement program or emergency food help.
Can stolen SNAP benefits still be replaced?
| When the theft happened | Replacement status |
|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2022 to Dec 20, 2024 | Federal replacement was available, but claim deadlines have passed |
| After Dec 20, 2024 | No federal replacement; only state-funded programs, where they exist |
Some states have used their own money to replace skimmed benefits. California and Maryland have been reported to run state-funded programs, but rules, limits and deadlines vary and can change with state budgets. Your SNAP office can tell you what is available now.
Bills in Congress have proposed restoring federal replacement, but none had passed as of September 2026.
Food lost for other reasons is different. If food you bought with SNAP was destroyed in a household disaster, such as a fire, flood or power outage, you can ask for replacement of that food by reporting it within 10 days. See Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP).
How skimming and other theft happens
| Method | How it works | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Card skimmer | Overlay on a store card reader copies the magnetic stripe | Loose, bulky or misaligned reader; keypad feels thick |
| Hidden camera or keypad overlay | Records your PIN as you type | Tiny hole or camera near the keypad |
| Phishing text or call | Fake “EBT” message asks for your card number and PIN | Any message asking for your PIN; state agencies do not ask for it |
| Fake balance-check website or app | Copies your login | Web address that is not your state’s official EBT site |
Most stolen benefits are spent within hours in another state, often right after the monthly deposit.
Protect your card
USDA recommends these steps, and they work best together:
- Change your PIN every month, right before your benefits load.
- Do not use easy PINs like 1111, 1234 or 9876.
- Never share your PIN or card number with anyone outside your household. The state will never text or call asking for it.
- Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN.
- Check the card reader before you swipe. Pull gently on the card slot; a skimmer may come loose.
- Use card lock features. Many state EBT apps and portals let you freeze your card between shopping trips or block out-of-state and online purchases. Unlock it only while you shop.
- Check your balance often so you notice problems quickly.
- Spend soon after deposit if you can, to limit the amount at risk.
Chip cards
Magnetic-stripe EBT cards are easy to copy, and chip cards are much harder to skim. California began switching to chip-enabled EBT cards in 2025, and several other states have announced plans. If your state is switching, use the new card as soon as it arrives and follow instructions to activate it.
Example: a skimming timeline
This is how a typical case plays out and where each step helps:
| Day | What happens | What the household should do |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Card swiped at a store reader with a hidden skimmer | Nothing looks wrong; this is why monthly PIN changes matter |
| Day 5 | Benefits load at midnight; $620 spent in another state by 2 a.m. | Card lock in the EBT app would have blocked the out-of-state charges |
| Day 5, morning | Card declined at checkout | Call EBT customer service, cancel the card, change the PIN |
| Day 5 to 6 | Get transaction history, file written report with SNAP office | Ask about state replacement programs and emergency food |
| Day 7 to 10 | New card arrives by mail or is picked up at the office | Set a new, hard-to-guess PIN and turn on card lock |
The same steps apply if only part of your balance was taken. Even a small unauthorized charge can be a test before a bigger theft, so report it right away.
If your whole month’s benefits are gone
- Ask your SNAP office about emergency food, local food banks, and any state help.
- Call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) for food resources near you.
- If your household has a new emergency that leaves you with very little income, ask your office what help is available. Expedited SNAP only applies to new applications, but your office can explain options.
- Keep all records. If a replacement program opens later, you may need them.
Frequently asked questions
Will my benefits be cut if I report a theft? No. Reporting theft does not reduce your future benefits.
Can I get my stolen benefits back from the store? No. Stores are not responsible for skimming losses.
Does changing my PIN stop a thief who has my card number? Yes, if you change it before they use it. The thief needs both the card data and your PIN.
Where can I learn about my EBT card in general? See what EBT is.
Theft does not change your eligibility or amount; see SNAP benefit amounts. If your benefits stop for another reason, see SNAP recertification or, if you think the state made a mistake, how to request a SNAP fair hearing.
Sources: USDA: Addressing stolen SNAP benefits (updated Sept 8, 2026), Congressional Research Service: SNAP benefit theft through skimming, Congress.gov: S.1540, Fairness for Victims of SNAP Skimming Act of 2025, USDA: Disaster assistance for individuals.