What to do with your EBT card in November after SNAP benefits lapse
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A sign about SNAP food stamp benefits is posted on a cooler door inside a Brooklyn grocery store. Photo: Scott Heins/Getty Images
Millions of Americans may want to hold onto their EBT cards — even if benefits lapse for a bit.
Why it matters: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will freeze in November, but rollover dollars will still be accessible and cards can be used in the future.
- Experts widely advise EBT cardholders to keep their cards safe and secure during the shutdown.
- Card theft is a common issue for EBT cardholders, and the shutdown won't help ease the burden that occurs over lost cards.
Driving the news: About 42 million Americans are due to lose access to their SNAP in November.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture told states it won't provide SNAP payments next month and won't tap into emergency funds to keep the program going.
The intrigue: Many recipients spend their benefits when they receive them, meaning many EBT cards could be empty starting in November.
Here's what to know for cardholders without new funds.
What are EBT cards used for?
How it works: Electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards are used by recipients to spend their SNAP funds.
- EBT cards resemble debit and credit cards — though many don't come with the modern-day chip feature.
- To qualify for SNAP benefits, Americans must apply in the state where they live and meet specific requirements, like resource and income limits, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Generally, EBT cards can be used at grocery stores, farmers' markets and other businesses that allow them. They're most commonly used for fruit, vegetables, meat, bread, dairy and beverages.
- Some states limit what can be purchased with an EBT card — like soda and candy.
SNAP funds on active EBT cards in November
Zoom in: Multiple experts and officials have said unused SNAP benefits from earlier months will carry over into November despite the government shutdown freezing funds.
- "We definitely do not want people rushing out to try to use up their benefits at the end of October thinking they're not going to be able to buy anything in November," Mackenzie Libbey with Community Legal Services told CBS News Philadelphia.
Yes, but: Some states say it's unclear if EBT cards will work in November, encouraging families to plan for worst-case scenarios.
- New Hampshire recommended people use their funds by the end of October, and Oklahoma advised people to budget ahead.
What to do with EBT cards in November
SNAP recipients should keep their EBT cards secured and locked away in November to avoid theft or loss, experts said.
- Propel, an app used by 6 million SNAP households to manage their accounts, said it will take longer to replace lost or stolen EBT cards during a shutdown.
- "Do not throw away or lose your card — that will make it harder to use your benefits once they're delivered," Propel's policy director Justin King told Axios.
Cardholders can turn to their states for help, as many offer card-locking and out-of-state transaction blocking, King said.
- "Keep your card security tools turned on, even during the shutdown — thieves who target EBT cards know when deposits are likely to be made," King said. "Protect your delayed deposits!"
EBT card thefts and scams
Threat level: SNAP recipients are sometimes susceptible to theft and scams, which can net thieves thousands of dollars.
- For example, "skimming" is a form of identity theft where criminals use devices to copy EBT card information and PINs from card readers and ATMs.
- Cards without chip readers make them particularly vulnerable to this type of theft.
- EBT cardholders have limited protections, which means stolen funds might not be reimbursed completely, per the FBI. Reimbursement, if approved, can take weeks during a normal timeframe, let alone the shutdown.
There are several tips on how to keep your cards safe.
- The FBI advises cardholders to scan for any cracked or damaged card readers.
- EBT cardholders should keep an eye on their transactions. Some EBT applications will allow holders to freeze or block transactions if theft is suspected.
Emergency cash for EBT cardholders
Of note: Propel has teamed with GiveDirectly, a nonprofit that makes cash transfers, for a new private cash relief fund to support those who may lose benefits amid the shutdown.
- "Unlike other aid programs that guess what recipients might need, this program will provide direct cash that families can use immediately for their individual needs," the companies said in a joint statement.
Lost or missing EBT cards
Anyone who has lost an EBT card or PIN number is advised to contact their state's SNAP customer service number and report it lost or stolen, per the FBI.
- Cardholders should then request a new card. The shutdown may delay responses, though.
The bottom line: Don't toss out the EBT card. It'll still work when the shutdown ends.
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