Sunsetting of the Stolen SNAP Benefit Replacement Program

Federal Stolen SNAP Benefit Replacement Program 

The federal SNAP benefit replacement program has ended, and SNAP benefits stolen on or after Dec. 21, 2024, are not eligible for replacement. 

Background

In late December 2022, Congress passed a law to protect and replace SNAP benefits stolen via card skimming, card cloning, and other similar fraud. The law required states to replace such benefits that were stolen between Oct. 1, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2024. The Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 revised the end date of the benefit theft period from Sept. 30, 2024, to Dec. 20, 2024. The American Relief Act, 2025 did not extend this authority for benefits stolen beyond Dec. 20, 2024. The state has no further recourse with the end of this federal program. This was a federally instituted and funded program that the previous Congress opted to no longer fund, making SNAP benefits stolen on or after Dec. 21, 2024, ineligible for replacement. 

How SNAP Customers Can Protect Their Benefits from Theft/Fraud 

Georgia DHS urges customers to protect their benefits by following these tips: 

  • Lock your EBT card between purchases via the existing ConnectEBT website or by using the new ConnectEBT app available on Android and Apple devices. Instructions are available on the website and in the app. 
  • Check your EBT account regularly for unauthorized charges. If you see any, change your PIN right away to stop the thief from making new purchases, and report suspicious activity to DHS. 
  • Change your PIN often, including right before your benefit issuance date. 
  • NEVER share sensitive information with an unsolicited requestor. 
  • Be wary of publicly posting information like birthdays, children or pet names, workplaces, where you grew up, and other personal historical information on social media. Doing so can let scammers successfully answer challenge questions and reset passwords on your accounts without needing to interact with you at all. 
  • Maintain strong, unique passwords for their Georgia Gateway accounts and never share personal account information with anyone who is not a designated caregiver. 
  • Along those same lines, keep your PIN and card number secret and cover the keypad when you enter your PIN on a machine.  
  • Save DHS’s primary phone number – 877-423-4746 – in your phone contacts. That way, when you need to reach us, you’ll have the correct phone number immediately available to you. 
  • If you suspect that a call you receive is a scam, hang up and call DHS directly using the phone number you saved in your contacts. 
  • If you suspect that an email, text message, website, or social media page/account is a scam, don’t open any links or attachments that you see. Instead, call DHS directly or go to our website – dhs.georgia.gov. 

Georgians who think they’ve been the victim of card skimming, card cloning, or other similar fraud involving their public benefits should lock or replace their card immediately and then report the incident to the DHS Office of Inspector General at [email protected] or 877-423-4746, option 6. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the timeframe for stolen SNAP benefits to be replaced?

    SNAP customers whose benefits were stolen on or before Dec. 20, 2024, can request replacement of those benefits within 30 days of realizing their benefits were stolen.  SNAP benefits stolen on or after Dec. 21, 2024, are not eligible for replacement.

  • What enabled states to replace stolen SNAP benefits?

    In late December 2022, Congress passed a law to protect and replace SNAP benefits stolen via card skimming, card cloning, and other similar fraud. The law required states to replace such benefits that were stolen between Oct. 1, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2024. The Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 revised the end date of the benefit theft period from Sept. 30, 2024, to Dec. 20, 2024. The American Relief Act, 2025 did not extend this authority for benefits stolen beyond Dec. 20, 2024. This was a federally instituted and funded program that the previous Congress opted to no longer fund, making SNAP benefits stolen on or after Dec. 21, 2024, ineligible for replacement.    

  • Why can I no longer request replacement of my stolen SNAP benefits?

    The state has no further recourse with the end of this federal program. This was a federally instituted and funded program that the previous Congress opted to no longer fund, making SNAP benefits stolen on or after Dec. 21, 2024, ineligible for replacement.  

  • Why would my benefits not be replaced?
    • Request appears fraudulent (e.g., requesting for EBT fraud loss replacement for months that benefits were not issued)
    • Request is invalid (incomplete affidavit)
    • Beneficiary failed to provide verification (affidavit)
    • If the request is from a beneficiary that has met the two-replacement limit in one Federal Fiscal Year (October-September)
    • Request is submitted untimely. For example: the request is outside of the allowable timeline (10/01/22 to 12/20/24) or is being requested for benefits stolen more than 30 days prior to affidavit submission. 
  • How do I change my PIN on my EBT card?

    You can change your PIN by logging into your online account at connectebt.com/ebtconnect/recipient/GA. You can also call 1-888-421-3281 and follow the prompts to change your PIN. 

  • What should I do if I suspect I’ve been phished?

    Georgians who think they’ve been the victim of card skimming, card cloning, or other similar fraud involving their public benefits should lock or replace their card immediately and then report the incident to the DHS Office of Inspector General at [email protected] or 877-423-4746, option 6. If you have lost money or believe you have been a victim of identity theft, please file a police report with your local law enforcement agency. 

  • How are SNAP benefits skimmed?

    Thieves place an illegal device on a retailer’s card-swiping machine to copy EBT card information. This is called card skimming. Criminals can then use the information to make fake EBT cards. This is called card cloning. Thieves use the fake cards to purchase food and beverages from SNAP-authorized stores using stolen SNAP benefits. Card skimming can also happen to people using a magnetic stripe to make purchases with a credit or debit card. Customers should use caution when using their EBT card for online purchases.