Federal · USDA proposed rule, RIN 0584-AE99

SNAP EBT card security proposed rule: chip and tap cards, blocks on weak PINs, card locks and alerts, and 12 months of transaction history

Proposed Oct. 23, 2026 · Comments due Dec. 22, 2026

Published October 23, 2026 · Last updated October 23, 2026

What it does

This is a proposed rule. It would amend the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regulations in 7 CFR parts 271, 274 and 278 to add security requirements for Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards and systems. USDA says the changes would align EBT with “consumer payment processing industry standards” and “protect SNAP benefits from thieves.” (Proposed rule, Summary) The main proposals:

• Chip and tap cards. States would move from magnetic-stripe-only EBT cards to cards with an electronic chip that can be inserted into a card reader or used wirelessly (near-field communication, or NFC, often called “tap to pay”). USDA proposes a deadline of two years from the date a final rule is published and asks for comments on whether that is enough time. States would have to notify households and retailers in advance of the switch. (Proposed rule, preamble, chip and NFC technology)
• Card number on the back; security code for online purchases. The card number (PAN) would be printed on the back of the card to make it harder to copy by sight. EBT cards would carry a printed card security code (CSC) and expiration date, which would be required for online (card-not-present) purchases. (Proposed rule, preamble, PAN placement and “Implementation of Card Security Code (CSC) and Expiration Date”)
• No easy-to-guess PINs. States would have to reject PINs that are entirely sequential or reverse-sequential digits, one digit repeated, the last digits of the card number, entirely alternating digits (such as 1212), PINs starting with 19 or 20 (possible birth years), and 2580, 8520, 0852 or 0258 (straight lines on a keypad). (Proposed rule, preamble; proposed 7 CFR 274.2(f)(2) and Operating Standards)
• Self-service locks and alerts. States would have to let households turn on or off, at a minimum: a block on out-of-state purchases; a block on online purchases; a block on all purchases; email or text alerts for purchases (including rejected, out-of-state and over-limit purchases); alerts for PIN changes, balance inquiries and changes to address, email or phone number; and a maximum purchase amount the household sets. Households must be able to choose these options through a cardholder portal, a mobile app or mobile website, by phone, or in person. (Proposed rule, preamble; SNAP EBT Operating Standards)
• New cards start switched off. States would issue EBT cards that are not active until the recipient takes steps to enable them. (Proposed 7 CFR 274.2(f)(3))
• 12 months of history, right away. EBT systems would show 12 months of transaction history instead of the current 2 months, available immediately after a purchase, including the date, time, amount and retailer, plus a history of balance inquiries, PIN changes and changes to account information. (Proposed rule, preamble; proposed 7 CFR 274.7(d)(2))
• Checks on phone balance inquiries. Balance checks through the automated phone line would require verification, to stop thieves from running bulk balance checks on stolen card numbers. (Proposed rule, preamble, “Balance Inquiries”; proposed 7 CFR 274.7(d)(4))
• End of most manual vouchers. Paper manual vouchers, which don’t need a PIN, would be allowed only in cases such as an EBT system outage or a disaster, carrying out a 2014 Farm Bill change. The rule would also allow electronic receipts and update the training states give households, including on preventing theft. (Proposed rule, preamble, “End of Manual Voucher Transactions,” receipts and “Household Training Updates”)

Who it affects

• SNAP households. More than 590,000 South Carolina residents receive SNAP benefits each month, on average. (SC DSS, SNAP page) Everyone would eventually get a new chip card.
• State SNAP agencies and their EBT processors, including the S.C. Department of Social Services, which would have to change their systems and cards. (Proposed rule, Summary and preamble)
• SNAP retailers, who may need to upgrade card readers to accept chip and tap EBT cards. (Proposed rule, preamble, chip and NFC technology)

What it means for you

• Nothing changes yet. This is a proposal. The chip card deadline would be two years after a final rule. USDA says that as of August 2026, seven states had issued EBT chip cards, with more in progress, and it encourages states to move sooner. (Proposed rule, preamble)
• Stolen benefits are generally not replaced with federal money now. The federal authority to replace stolen SNAP benefits with federal funds expired December 20, 2024. Through the second quarter of federal fiscal year 2025, 753,929 claims for stolen benefits had been approved nationwide, worth $360,441,561. (Proposed rule, preamble)
• Ways to protect your card today. USDA advises: don’t share your PIN or card number with anyone outside your household; cover the keypad when entering your PIN; avoid simple PINs; and change your PIN often. State agencies and EBT processors will never call or text to ask for your PIN or card number. (USDA, Addressing Stolen SNAP Benefits)
• Comment if you want to. Submit comments at regulations.gov (docket FNS-2025-0137), by email, or by mail to Food and Nutrition Administration, SNAP Innovation Policy and Issuance Division, Issuance Support Branch, 5601 Sunnyside Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705. Comments must be received by December 22, 2026, and they become public. (Proposed rule, “Dates” and “Addresses”)

Current status

Published as a proposed rule October 23, 2026, at 91 FR 66958 (docket FNS-2025-0137, RIN 0584-AE99). It is not final. (Proposed rule, header)

What happens next

USDA is taking comments through December 22, 2026, before it issues a final rule. The two-year chip and tap deadline would run from the date a final rule is published. (Proposed rule, “Dates” and preamble)

Sources

• Federal Register: “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Electronic Benefits Transfer Card Security Measures,” proposed rule, FR Doc. 2026-21658 (Oct. 23, 2026)
• Regulations.gov: docket FNS-2025-0137 (comments)
• USDA Food and Nutrition Administration: Addressing Stolen SNAP Benefits
• USDA Food and Nutrition Administration: SNAP EBT Modernization
• S.C. Department of Social Services: SNAP

Every statement above is drawn from the official source text linked here; section references are shown in grey. This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Spot an error? Tell us.