WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed new security rules for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards. The proposed changes would add new chips, stricter PIN rules and new measures to protect food benefits from theft. The USDA is accepting public feedback on the proposal until December 22, 2026.
What the Proposal Would Change
The proposed rules cover three main areas: the physical card technology, the PIN requirements that protect card use, and new methods for guarding benefits against theft. The rules were published in the Federal Register on October 23, 2026.
The proposal is not final. SNAP recipients are not required to replace their cards nationwide because of this announcement, and no effective date has been set for any change.
Concerns Raised by Advocates
Some advocates have raised concerns about how the changes could affect people who rely on SNAP benefits. The USDA’s request for comment points to several areas of concern, including how easily recipients could access replacement cards, what the changes would cost to implement, and how they would be funded.
Members of the public may also comment on their own experiences with EBT theft and suggest ways to make the system safer and easier to use.
Next Steps
The USDA will review public feedback before deciding whether to finalize the rules. Any final version could differ from the current proposal. Until a final rule is issued, current SNAP card procedures remain the same.
