Map Shows States Making SNAP Card Changes—What It Means For Your Benefits
The changes aim to modernize SNAP payment technology after hundreds of millions of dollars in benefits were stolen.
Millions of Americans receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are receiving new chip-enabled payment cards as states transition away from magnetic-stripe technology. New Jersey's rollout concluded on September 10, with the state's Department of Human Services announcing the distribution of chip-enabled Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to SNAP and Work First New Jersey recipients.
Virginia also announced its chip-and-tap cards rollout between September and December, replacing magnetic-stripe-only cards. Existing balance transfers automatically to the new cards. The move aims to combat stolen benefits through skimming, cloning, and phishing scams. Despite the new technology, phishing scams and temporary swipe requirements at some retailers remain risks.
According to the USDA, replacing stolen SNAP benefits cost $320 million for nearly 679,000 households between October 1, 2022, and December 20, 2024. Seven states have already issued chip-enabled EBT cards: Alabama, California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, and Oklahoma. California completed its statewide conversion in April 2025, with Alabama following suit in February.
Maryland started its statewide distribution in July, with 294,000 of nearly 507,000 recipients activating their new cards by August 23. Massachusetts began its statewide transition in July after piloting the cards around Worcester. Seven states are in the process of implementing chip cards: Arkansas, Maine, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Virginia.
New York plans to issue approximately 2 million new cards in the first quarter of 2027 after securing funding and selecting a vendor. Federal efforts to strengthen EBT security led to the consolidation of Appropriations Act of 2023, directing USDA to develop regulations requiring states to implement new theft protection measures.
The expansion of chip technology follows years of federal efforts to enhance EBT security and remove technical obstacles, such as the finalization of new national EBT standards for chip technology in August 2024.
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