Governor Hochul announces secure chip-enabled SNAP benefit cards for millions of New York recipients beginning in early 2027 to help combat benefit theft

Albany, New York – New York is preparing to make one of the biggest changes to its public benefits system in years, with state officials announcing that recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will begin receiving new chip-enabled Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards in early 2027. The move is aimed at reducing the growing problem of benefit theft, which has affected thousands of households through illegal card-skimming schemes.

Governor Kathy Hochul said the transition represents a major investment in protecting families who depend on food assistance while also modernizing the state’s benefits system. State officials believe the introduction of chip technology will dramatically reduce the ability of criminals to steal benefits by copying card information, a method that has become increasingly common in recent years.

“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,” Governor Hochul said. “As the federal administration continues to undermine efforts to address food insecurity and hunger, New York remains focused on uplifting families and ensuring they have the help they need to put food on the table.”

The announcement follows months of planning by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), which recently completed the selection of a vendor that will manufacture and distribute the upgraded cards. Fidelity Information Services, LLC (FIS) has been awarded the contract and will supply EBT cards equipped with embedded security chips similar to those already used on standard debit and credit cards.

Although chip technology has been commonplace in commercial banking for years, the nationwide EBT system has only recently become capable of supporting chip-enabled cards. That development has opened the door for states to begin replacing the older magnetic stripe cards, which have proven vulnerable to electronic theft through skimming devices.

Read also: Governor Kathy Hochul urges New York drivers to take simple steps to prevent vehicle theft during Vehicle Theft Prevention Month

State officials expect the first wave of chip cards to begin reaching recipients during the first quarter of 2027. Around two million cards are expected to be issued as part of the transition, making it one of the largest benefit card replacement efforts undertaken in New York.

The project has been moving forward since earlier this year, when Governor Hochul instructed OTDA to move as quickly as possible toward implementing more secure technology. Even before funding became available, the agency had already begun preparing by seeking proposals from vendors capable of supplying chip-enabled cards, allowing the state to move rapidly once financing was approved.

Funding for the initiative was ultimately included in the Fiscal Year 2027 state budget through cooperation between the Governor and the Legislature, providing the financial support needed to replace millions of existing EBT cards.

New York is among only a small group of states pursuing this upgrade. According to information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, only five states have already introduced chip-enabled EBT cards, while another five—including New York—are currently working toward implementation.

The transition comes after years of increasing concern over organized benefit theft. Criminals have used hidden skimming devices installed on payment terminals to capture EBT card numbers and personal identification numbers. Once that information is stolen, benefits are often drained from recipients’ accounts before families have an opportunity to purchase groceries.

The impact has been especially severe for households already struggling to meet rising living expenses. When stolen benefits disappear from an account, families can suddenly lose the money they rely on for food purchases, creating immediate financial hardship.

Adding to those challenges, federal replacement funding for stolen SNAP benefits expired at the end of 2024. State officials noted that recipients whose benefits are stolen can no longer count on federal reimbursement, making prevention far more important than replacing lost funds after theft occurs.

Read also: LGBTQ+ community members and allies gather at Rochester Pride Picnic for a celebration of inclusion, resilience, and unity

The new chip cards are expected to provide a much stronger defense against these crimes. Because chip transactions generate unique encrypted information that is far more difficult to duplicate than magnetic stripe data, officials believe the updated cards will be significantly more resistant to skimming attempts.

The enhanced cards will not only serve SNAP recipients but will also be used by people receiving Public Assistance benefits, extending the additional layer of protection to a broader group of New Yorkers who rely on state assistance.

As preparations continue, OTDA has already started working with grocery stores, retailers and financial institutions across the state. Businesses are being encouraged to update payment terminals and related equipment before the end of this year so they will be ready to accept the new chip-enabled cards once distribution begins.

Officials say cardholders will receive advance notice before their replacement cards are mailed, helping ensure a smooth transition and minimizing disruption when the new system becomes active.

While introducing stronger technology is viewed as the most important long-term safeguard, state officials continue encouraging recipients to make use of existing security features already available through the ebtEDGE mobile application and online cardholder portal.

Users can temporarily freeze their EBT cards whenever they are not making purchases and then unfreeze them only when needed. Cardholders also have the option to block online purchases and prevent transactions made outside New York, adding additional barriers against unauthorized activity.

Officials stressed that recipients should remain cautious even after the rollout of chip-enabled cards. Scammers frequently contact benefit recipients through phone calls, text messages or emails pretending to represent government agencies or EBT providers in an effort to obtain card numbers or PINs.

OTDA emphasized that neither the agency, local social services departments nor the state’s EBT card provider will ever contact recipients requesting sensitive account information. Anyone receiving such requests is urged not to share personal information, since doing so could allow thieves to access and spend their benefits.

The agency continues to provide public information about common scams and practical steps recipients can take to better protect their accounts from fraud.

OTDA Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn highlighted the importance of protecting families that often have few financial resources to absorb the loss of stolen benefits.

“SNAP recipients, most of whom are children, older adults, or disabled, count on SNAP every month to feed themselves and their families. With families facing the high cost of food, rent, and utilities, we are grateful for Governor Hochul’s leadership in protecting vulnerable New Yorkers from the scourge of benefit theft.”

Support for the transition has also come from lawmakers who have advocated for stronger security measures for several years.

Senator Roxanne J. Perasud said, “Since 2021, I’ve been calling for chip-enabled SNAP EBT cards and implementation is thankfully closer on the horizon. I am grateful for Governor Hochul and Commissioner Guinn committing the necessary funding in this year’s budget to stand up a more secure EBT system that will protect vulnerable New Yorkers’ essential SNAP benefits. Chip-enabled cards are a necessary step toward preventing future skimming.”

Assemblymember Maritza Davila also praised the effort, pointing to evidence from other states that have already adopted similar technology.

“I commend Governor Kathy Hochul for protecting New Yorkers who rely on SNAP and Public Assistance benefits from theft. The transition to secure, chip-enabled EBT cards beginning in early 2027 is a major step forward that will help safeguard the benefits families depend on to put food on the table. As Chair of the Assembly Social Services Committee, I was proud to work with Governor Hochul and my colleagues in the Legislature to secure funding for this important investment in New Yorkers. In California this reduced theft by 83%.”

County governments, which administer SNAP at the local level, also welcomed the announcement, describing it as an important modernization effort that strengthens both security and public confidence in the program.

NYS Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario said, “County social services departments across New York strongly support the transition to chip-enabled Electronic Benefit Transfer cards for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This upgrade is a practical and necessary step to strengthen program integrity, reduce fraud, and ensure that benefits reach the individuals and families who truly need them. As local administrators of SNAP, we see firsthand the importance of modernizing our systems to keep pace with evolving threats while maintaining efficient access for recipients. Governor Hochul’s leadership in launching this initiative reflects a commitment to good government—one that balances accountability with service. At a time when recent changes to federal funding formulas have increased fiscal challenges for localities, investments like this help safeguard public resources and reinforce confidence in the program.”

With planning now well underway, New York officials say the coming months will focus on preparing retailers, notifying recipients and completing the technical work required before the statewide rollout begins. If implementation proceeds as scheduled, millions of New Yorkers who rely on SNAP and Public Assistance will begin receiving their new chip-enabled EBT cards in early 2027, marking a significant step toward reducing benefit theft and strengthening the security of one of the state’s most important assistance programs.