New York to roll out chip-enabled SNAP cards in 2027 to combat benefit theft
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday that the state will begin issuing new chip-enabled Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards in early 2027 as part of an effort to prevent benefit theft caused by illegal card-skimming devices.
New Yorkers who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will soon have a more secure way to access them.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday that the state will begin issuing new chip-enabled Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards in early 2027 as part of an effort to prevent benefit theft caused by illegal card-skimming devices.
State officials say the new cards will use the same chip technology found in most debit and credit cards, making them significantly more difficult for criminals to clone.
The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance recently finalized a contract with Fidelity Information Services (FIS) to produce the new cards. Approximately two million chip-enabled EBT cards are expected to be distributed to SNAP and Public Assistance recipients beginning in the first quarter of 2027.
According to the governor’s office, New York is one of only a handful of states transitioning to chip-enabled EBT technology.
The announcement comes as benefit theft has become a growing concern across the state. Criminals have used skimming devices to steal recipients’ card information and PINs, allowing them to drain benefits before families have a chance to use them.
Adding to the challenge, the federal government stopped funding replacement SNAP benefits for victims of theft at the end of 2024, leaving many recipients unable to recover stolen benefits.
State officials are also encouraging cardholders to take steps to protect themselves before the new cards are available. Recipients can use the ebtEDGE mobile app or online portal to freeze and unfreeze their cards, block online and out-of-state transactions, and should never share their EBT card number or PIN in response to unsolicited phone calls, text messages or emails.
Officials say EBT cardholders will be notified before their new chip-enabled cards are issued in early 2027.
