GOVERNOR HOCHUL: New, chip-based SNAP benefit cards to be issued in early 2027

ALBANY, NY- New York State is announcing that SNAP recipients will have access to chip-based cards starting in early 2027.

The goal, according to Governor Kathy Hochul, is to better protect SNAP users from any theft of their benefits.

“We are committed to protecting New Yorkers from benefit theft and modernizing our EBT system is the most effective tool we have to prevent heartless criminals from preying on some of our most vulnerable residents,” the Governor said.

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) recently finalized a contract with a vendor to provide the cards, which are expected to greatly limit theft of benefits by criminals using illegal “skimming” devices.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, five states have already issued chip cards and five more states, including New York, are currently in the process of doing so.

There has been increased awareness in recent years of the use of skimming devices to capture recipients’ card information and PIN, with criminals using skimmed information to access accounts and steal the recipients’ benefits before recipients have a chance to spend them.

However, the federal government stopped funding replacement benefits at the end of 2024 for SNAP recipients who had their benefits stolen and the Governor Hochul’s office is accusing the Trump Administration of refusing to consider re-authorizing such replacement.

On the other hand, President Trump has launched an aggressive crackdown on SNAP, specifically accusing widespread fraud and waste leading to billions of dollars lost annually, due mainly to payment errors and misreporting of eligibility.

Image via the office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul.