SNAP Benefits Update: What To Do If You Lose Your EBT Card | Can You Get a New One?

SNAP benefits payments saw an increase of 12.5% due to cost-of-living adjustment in October, prompting bigger payments to SNAP benefits recipients.

Some states have also continued to distribute additional SNAP emergency allotments, which started during the pandemic.

Along with the increase in benefits, come the various scams that could result in the loss of your benefits. These scams include phishing and EBT card skimming according to WJLA News report.

Authorities advise recipients to keep PINs a secret, cover the keypad when they enter the PIN, and check their EBT balance regularly to avoid being a victim of scams.

But what if, you lost your EBT card containing all your SNAP benefits payments?

What To Do If You Lose Your EBT Card

Officials noted that SNAP benefits recipients should contact customer service right away if their EBT card is lost or stolen, as reported by Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

However, needs-tested benefits provided or administrated by a state or local government do not have guaranteed protections under federal law against the loss or theft of your card or funds.

These benefits include SNAP benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Women, Infant, and Children benefits among others.

SNAP recipients should be able to find the customer service number on the back of their card or on the program's website.

Different states can have different processes when it comes to processing a replacement or reporting the loss of an EBT card.

In California, once SNAP benefits recipients reported the incident, their EBT card is disabled and they will be told to get a new card, according to California EBT Project Office report.

SNAP benefits recipients in California should also request a replacement as soon as possible if their EBT card is damaged and does not work.

Meanwhile, in Florida, EBT customers will be prompted to enter their card number upon calling the EBT customer service department. However, if you do not have your card number, a Social Security number will be enough.

Replacement of EBT card takes between five and seven business days to reach you through regular mail from the United States Postal Service, as reported by Sapling.

SNAP Benefits Update

On the other hand, some states will be distributing additional SNAP emergency allotments, worth $95 or the difference between the original benefit and the maximum household benefit.

The Motley Fool noted that the states that will continue SNAP emergency allotments in November 2022 include California, Colorado, Hawaii, District of Columbia, Illinois, New Mexico, and Oregon.

Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin will also be distributing additional emergency allotments.

To help stretch food stamps, coupons and cash-back apps can also work alongside SNAP.

There are also food waste apps that help recipients buy food at a discount that would otherwise be thrown away.

SNAP benefits recipients may also qualify for other government programs such as emergency rental assistance.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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