What to Do if You Lose Your EBT Card

What to Do if You Lose Your EBT Card

by

The Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card is essential for accessing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, allowing low-income households to purchase food. Losing your EBT card can expose your benefits to fraud, but prompt action can protect your account and secure a replacement. This article outlines what to do if you lose your EBT card, including reporting, locking, replacement, using benefits without the card, and recovering stolen funds, with state-specific notes like California’s CalFresh.

As of September 4, 2025, these steps help minimize disruptions. Use the SNAP Eligibility Calculator if eligibility changes due to household adjustments.

Immediate Actions When You Lose Your EBT Card

If you discover your EBT card is missing, act quickly to prevent unauthorized use. Deactivate the card immediately and report the loss to your state’s EBT customer service. This safeguards your SNAP balance while you request a replacement. Below are detailed steps, including required headings.

How to Report a Missing EBT Card

Reporting a missing EBT card is the first step to deactivate it and prevent fraud. Each state has a dedicated hotline for this purpose.

Steps to Report

  1. Locate Your State’s EBT Number: Find the number on the back of your card (if available) or use state resources. For a full list, see EBT Phone Numbers for All States.
  2. Call Immediately: Contact the hotline (e.g., 1-877-328-9677 for California’s CalFresh). Provide your name, address, Social Security number, or case number for verification.
  3. Provide Details: Explain the card is lost or stolen. The representative will deactivate it on the spot.
  4. Confirm Deactivation: Ask for confirmation that the card is inactive and inquire about any recent transactions to check for fraud.

Tips:

  • Report within 24 hours to limit liability. Unauthorized charges before reporting may not be refunded.
  • If after hours, some states (e.g., Florida: 1-888-356-3281) have 24/7 automated systems for deactivation.
  • In California, report via BenefitsCal.com if you have an online account, or call your county office (www.cdss.ca.gov/county-offices) for assistance.

How to Lock Your EBT Card

Locking your EBT card adds security by preventing transactions until unlocked. This feature is available in many states via apps or phone.

Steps to Lock

  1. Use the ebtEDGE App or Website: Download the ebtEDGE app (App Store/Google Play) or visit www.ebtedge.com. Log in with your card number and PIN.
  2. Select Lock Option: Navigate to the “Card Lock” or “Freeze Card” feature (available in states like California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota).
  3. Confirm Lock: The card will be unusable for purchases until you unlock it via the app or hotline.
  4. Phone Lock: Call your state’s EBT number (e.g., 1-888-328-2666 for Connecticut) and request a temporary lock if the app isn’t available.

Tips:

  • Lock your card between uses to prevent skimming or theft. Unlock it only when shopping.
  • In California, CalFresh users can lock via the ebtEDGE app or BenefitsCal.com.
  • Not all states offer this; check your state’s EBT portal or hotline.

How to Get a Replacement EBT Card

After reporting and deactivating, request a replacement to restore access to your benefits.

Steps to Request

  1. During Reporting Call: Request a replacement while reporting the loss via the EBT hotline (e.g., 1-877-328-9677 for California).
  2. Provide Information: Confirm your mailing address and identity (e.g., Social Security number, case number).
  3. Processing Time: Replacements are mailed within 5–7 business days. Some states offer expedited (1–2 days) for emergencies (e.g., no food access).
  4. Fees: First replacement is often free; subsequent ones may cost $2–$5 (e.g., $5 in California after the first).
  5. In-Person Pickup: Visit your county SNAP office (e.g., Los Angeles County DPSS) for immediate issuance in some cases, bringing ID.

Tips:

  • Activate the new card upon arrival by calling the EBT hotline and setting a new PIN.
  • Benefits transfer automatically to the new card; check your balance via the hotline or ebtEDGE app.
  • In California, request via BenefitsCal.com or county offices for faster processing.

Can I Use My Food Stamps Without My Card?

Without your physical EBT card, accessing SNAP benefits is limited, but temporary options exist in some states.

Options Without the Card

  1. Temporary Paper Vouchers: In emergencies, contact your SNAP office (e.g., 1-877-847-3663 for CalFresh) for paper vouchers or emergency allotments, especially during disasters.
  2. Digital Wallets: A few states (e.g., New York, Pennsylvania) pilot digital EBT via apps like Google Pay or Apple Wallet, but this is not widespread in 2025.
  3. Authorized Representative: Designate a trusted person (via your SNAP office) to use a secondary card or access benefits on your behalf.
  4. Online Purchases: If linked to retailers like Amazon or Walmart, use your account details (not the physical card) for online orders, but this requires prior setup.

Limitations:

  • Most in-store purchases require the physical card and PIN.
  • ATMs for cash benefits need the card.
  • In California, CalFresh benefits are card-dependent, but emergency vouchers may be issued via county offices.

Tips:

  • Check your balance via phone (e.g., 1-877-328-9677 for California) or How to Check Your SNAP Balance without the card using your case number.
  • Avoid sharing account details to prevent fraud.

Can I Get Stolen SNAP Benefits Replaced?

If benefits are stolen (e.g., via skimming or phishing), replacement is possible but state-dependent, with federal funding limited after December 20, 2024.

Steps for Replacement

  1. Report Theft: Call your EBT hotline (e.g., 1-877-328-9677 for California) within 30–90 days (state varies) to file a claim. Provide transaction details.
  2. Submit Affidavit: Complete a theft affidavit form (e.g., California’s CF 37) affirming the loss, available via county offices or BenefitsCal.com.
  3. Verification: The SNAP office investigates (e.g., reviewing transactions) and may reimburse if approved.
  4. Reimbursement Limits: Up to two months’ benefits per fiscal year in some states (e.g., California reimburses if reported promptly, up to $100–$500 depending on loss).
  5. Federal Changes: Post-December 2024, federal replacement funding ended, but states like California may use state funds for reimbursements.

Tips:

  • Monitor transactions via ebtEDGE to detect theft early.
  • Reimbursements are credited to your EBT account within 10 days if approved.
  • In California, report to county offices for faster processing; check www.cdss.ca.gov for forms.

Additional Tips to Prevent EBT Card Loss and Fraud

  • Secure Your Card: Treat it like cash; store it safely and never share your PIN.
  • Enable Alerts: Use the ebtEDGE app for text/email notifications on transactions.
  • Change PIN Regularly: Update via hotline or app to enhance security.
  • Check Balances Often: Use phone or app to spot unauthorized use.
  • Beware of Scams: Official agencies won’t request your PIN via unsolicited calls/texts.
  • During Disasters: Temporary waivers may allow hot food purchases; check state SNAP websites.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What should I do first if I lose my EBT card?

Report it immediately to your state’s EBT hotline (e.g., 1-877-328-9677 for California) to deactivate it and prevent fraud.

How long does it take to get a replacement EBT card?

Replacements are mailed within 5–7 business days; expedited options (1–2 days) may be available for emergencies via your SNAP office.

Can I access my SNAP benefits without my EBT card?

Limited; use temporary vouchers from your SNAP office or authorized representatives. Online purchases require prior setup.

Will I lose my benefits if my EBT card is stolen?

No, but report theft within 30–90 days for possible reimbursement. Benefits remain in your account after deactivation.

How can I protect my EBT card from fraud?

Lock it via ebtEDGE, change your PIN regularly, monitor transactions, and report suspicious activity immediately.

Conclusion

Losing your EBT card requires immediate reporting to deactivate it, locking if available, and requesting a replacement via your state’s hotline (e.g., 1-877-328-9677 for California). Access benefits without the card is limited, but temporary vouchers or representatives can help. Stolen benefits may be replaced if reported promptly, though federal funding is limited post-2024.

Prevent issues by securing your card and monitoring balances via How to Check Your SNAP Balance or ebtEDGE. Contact your county office (www.cdss.ca.gov/county-offices) for support, and use the SNAP Eligibility Calculator if household changes affect eligibility.

Leave a Comment