Congress·In Committee·S. 3949

Sen. Wyden Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Add Security Chips to SNAP EBT Cards

Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026

19 days ago·View on Congress.gov

Part of: Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026

Legislative Progress

Senate

House

President

Law

Key Points

States must switch SNAP EBT cards from old magnetic stripe technology to modern chip-enabled cards that are resistant to cloning. States have two years after final regulations to start issuing chip cards, and within five years, all existing magnetic stripe cards must be replaced.
From policy text
“Not later than 2 years after the date on which the regulations promulgated pursuant to clause (i) become final, States shall begin issuing chip-enabled EBT cards.”
View in full text
The federal government will reimburse states for all reasonable costs of upgrading EBT cards to chip technology, including one-time vendor costs, annual chip card fees, and postage for mailing new cards.
From policy text
“Each State upgrading EBT cards to comply with the regulations promulgated under subparagraph (B)(i) shall receive reimbursement from the Secretary in an amount determined by the Secretary to cover all reasonable costs incurred by the State”
View in full text
If a card is damaged, stolen, or frozen due to fraud, states must deliver a replacement within 3 business days. Replacement fees are banned for cards that malfunction, expire, are compromised by fraud from someone outside the household, or need to be swapped out for chip compliance.
From policy text
“the applicable State shall take the necessary steps to ensure that the household receives a replacement card, either by mail or in person, as selected by the household, not later than 3 business days after the household submits to the State a request for a replacement EBT card”
View in full text
Retailers participating in SNAP must install chip-enabled payment terminals at every location within 180 days of the final regulations. A grant program will help small stores in areas with limited grocery access pay for upgraded equipment.
From policy text
“the Secretary shall require retail food stores and wholesale food concerns seeking authorization or reauthorization to accept and redeem benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program to have a chip-enabled (as defined in section 7(h)(15)(A)) payment terminal at each retail location”
View in full text
States must offer mobile-friendly digital tools — including web portals, text message alerts, and mobile apps — so SNAP households can check balances, search 12 months of transaction history, and report fraud. Non-digital options like voice phone and non-phone interfaces must also be maintained for at least 10 years.
From policy text
“During the 10-year period following the date on which the regulations promulgated pursuant to clause (i) become final, unless the Secretary extends that period, the Secretary shall maintain on the list under subitem (AA) the following user interfaces: text message, voice telephone service, and a nondigital user interface that does not require the use of a phone or computer by the household.”
View in full text
New online transaction security measures will require protections against theft of benefits during online purchases, including preventing sensitive data from being stolen from online retailers. The Secretary must report to Congress every two years on the scope of online fraud.
From policy text
“prevent sensitive data from being stolen during online transactions and securely manage sensitive data generated by online transactions, including through cybersecurity enhancements for online retailers”
View in full text

Technology DigitalAgriculture

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

StateScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Feb 26, 2026Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Feb 26, 2026

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

60 days after enactment

States must stop charging fees for replacement EBT cards lost to fraud, malfunction, or expiration, and must stop requiring password changes that violate federal cybersecurity standards

SNAP households get immediate relief from nuisance fees and outdated password rules within 60 days of enactment

Approximately 4 years after enactment (2 years for regulations + 2 years for chip card rollout)

States begin issuing chip-enabled EBT cards and must provide digital tools like mobile-friendly portals, text alerts, and transaction history

SNAP recipients start getting more secure cards and better account management tools, though full rollout will take years

Approximately 7 years after enactment (2 years for regulations + 5 years for full replacement)

All existing magnetic stripe EBT cards must be replaced with chip-enabled cards without magnetic stripes

Every SNAP household will have a modern, skimming-resistant card; old technology is fully phased out

Related News

2 articles

City Limits·11 days ago

Federal Bill Would Upgrade EBT Cards to Prevent 'Skimming' Thefts

Congressman Dan Goldman introduced the Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act to equip EBT cards with security chips. The bill requires states to transition from magnetic stripes to fraud-resistant technology within five years, with the federal government covering the total cost of the upgrades.

CL+

NYC Today·14 days ago

Proposed SNAP Reforms Aim to Boost Security and Expand Access

The Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act would require the USDA to update regulations to include anti-fraud chip technology. It mandates that states provide replacement cards within three business days for victims of fraud and eliminates fees for replacing cards that were hacked or malfunctioned.

CL+