CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – Virginia is replacing SNAP EBT cards this month, adding chip technology intended to protect the money families use to buy groceries.
The new cards will replace the current magnetic stripe cards in waves through December. Madison and Orange counties are among the first communities scheduled to receive them.
Virginia Department of Social Services Commissioner Duke Storen said the change follows an increase in skimming theft over the past year. That happens when thieves capture information from a card’s magnetic stripe and use it to access someone else’s benefits.
“This is really in response to theft from skimming which is a type of electronic theft called skimming where you’re able to pull the benefit off of the mag strip card and so we’re instituting these chip cards,” Storen said.
The new chip technology uses encryption to make the cards harder to copy, adding protection for people who rely on SNAP to help put food on the table.
“Such a critical, important benefit. You know, it’s really the first line of defense against hunger. And we want to ensure that the benefits that Virginians count on are safe from theft,” Storen said.
The new cards will work much like modern debit cards, allowing customers to tap or insert them at checkout.
Each card will also have a new expiration date and a three-digit security code for online purchases and PIN setup or resets.
Benefit amounts and the schedule for receiving those benefits will stay the same.
The first phase includes SNAP customers in 20 pilot localities, who are scheduled to receive their chip cards by Oct. 1.
Along with Madison and Orange, the state’s pilot list includes Chesterfield and Colonial Heights, Fairfax city and county, Lynchburg, Manassas Park, Middlesex, New Kent, Norfolk, Northampton, Patrick, Portsmouth, Radford, Richmond city, Roanoke city, Smyth, Surry, Warren, Washington and Wythe.
All other Virginia SNAP customers are scheduled to receive their cards between October and December. That includes customers in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
As the state prepares to mail those cards, households should make sure their mailing address, phone number and email are current with their Department of Social Services.
Storen said customers can use the CommonHelp portal or contact their social services office to update their information.
Once the new card arrives, customers should follow the enclosed instructions to activate it and set a new PIN.
The old magnetic stripe card will automatically deactivate 60 days after the new card is mailed. That countdown starts with the mailing date, and the old card will shut off whether or not the replacement has been activated.
Activating the new card promptly will help customers keep access to their benefits.
Once activated, the chip card can be used at stores, farmers markets and other locations throughout Virginia that accept EBT.
Storen said Virginia is the eighth state in the country, and the third on the East Coast, to use chip card technology for these benefits.
He pointed to California as an example of the potential impact, saying that state saw an 83% reduction in fraud after implementing the cards.
To pay for Virginia’s change, Storen said the department is redirecting existing administrative resources, including money used for its current card technology contract and some payment accuracy funds.
The rollout also requires preparation at the checkout counter.
The department is asking grocery stores, farmers markets, convenience stores and other EBT retailers to make sure their payment equipment is updated to accept the new chip cards.
“We’re so grateful to all of our SNAP retailers out, you know, all the grocery stores and farmers markets and, you know, other food retailers, convenience stores that accept EBT. And we just want to make sure that they’ve updated their point of sale devices to be able to take the new chip card. And if you haven’t, you know, we’ve got the ability to provide you that information and provide some technical assistance,” Storen said.
Customers with questions about the change can email VAchip@dss.virginia.gov or call the EBT Customer Service Help Desk at 866-281-2448.
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