SNAP Cards May Get a Technology Upgrade to Fight Benefit Theft
Published Date: 10/23/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The USDA is proposing new rules to make SNAP EBT cards safer and easier to use by updating their technology to match modern payment systems. These changes will help protect benefits from theft and make sure approved families can access their food aid without hassle. People can share their thoughts on these updates until December 22, 2026, with no immediate cost changes announced.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandate for chip & tap EBT cards
The rule would require States to move SNAP benefits onto EBT cards with electronic chips and NFC (tap-to-pay) technology, with a proposed two-year timeframe after publication of a final rule for implementation. The Department says this change aims to reduce benefit theft and cites that, as of the second quarter of Federal Fiscal Year 2025, 753,929 replacement claims totaling $360,441,561 were approved for stolen SNAP benefits.
Retailers must pay for EBT equipment
The rule would codify the 2014 Farm Bill requirement that all non-exempt SNAP retailers be financially responsible for EBT equipment, supplies, and related services needed to accept benefits. The proposed regulatory change clarifies that only statutorily exempt categories (for example, certain farmers markets and non-profit arrangements) remain eligible for no-cost EBT-only equipment from States.
Manual voucher use largely ended
The rule would eliminate routine use of manual vouchers for SNAP redemptions except during significant EBT connectivity problems or disasters. The Department would expect EBT vendors to disable manual voucher processing by default and enable it only by State request, while considering limited exceptions for some rural retailers, certain retailers eligible for free State equipment, and retailers in designated Tribal areas.
New national SNAP EBT operating standards
The Department proposes to adopt a set of SNAP EBT Operating Standards in regulation (Appendix A to 7 CFR part 274) that set mandatory and optional technical requirements for State EBT systems and vendors covering transaction processing, reporting, security, online and mobile payments, and customer features. The stated objectives include aligning SNAP with consumer payment industry practices, reducing benefit theft, and improving customer experience and FNA oversight.
More account info: 12 months, immediate updates
The rule would require EBT systems to provide SNAP participants with up to 12 months of transaction history (replacing the current 2-month requirement) and to display transaction dates, times, amounts, transaction type (card-present or card-not-present), retailer-identifying information (excluding FNA retailer numbers), balance inquiry history, PIN changes, and other personal account changes. The rule would also require the information to be made available immediately after purchases.
Stricter IVR balance checks; online balance optional
The rule would require verification for SNAP balance inquiries conducted via Interactive Voice Response (IVR) to reduce bulk balance inquiries used by bad actors. Separately, the rule would permit internet retailers to operate without offering a balance inquiry method, while encouraging households to use secure State cardholder portals or mobile apps.
Card design & replacement rule changes
The rule would require the Primary Account Number (PAN) to be printed on the back of EBT cards, introduce expiration dates for chip/NFC cards, and clarify that EBT cards replaced due to expiration or changes in delivery method must not be counted toward the regulatory threshold for excessive card replacements. These changes are described as security and implementation measures tied to chip/NFC adoption.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) is extending the public comment period on the proposed rule, "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Changes in Federal-State Administrative Cost Sharing," which was published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2026. This action extends the public comment period from August 24, 2026, to September 8, 2026, to give the public additional time to review the proposed rule.
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