Virginia Begins Rollout of More Secure Chip-and-Tap EBT Cards

Virginia is beginning to replace traditional EBT cards with new chip-and-tap cards designed to make it harder for criminals to steal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced the rollout of the more secure cards, which will eventually be provided to all Virginia EBT cardholders. The first phase is focused on localities that have experienced higher levels of benefit theft, with a second round scheduled to begin at the end of October.

All Virginia EBT cardholders should receive new cards by the end of December 2026.

For families receiving SNAP benefits, the most important point is that they do not need to apply for a replacement card. New cards will be mailed automatically, and benefits should continue without interruption during the transition.

However, recipients should make sure their current mailing address is on file with their local Department of Social Services.

The new cards are intended to combat a form of theft known as “skimming.” Criminals can use skimming devices placed on payment terminals to capture information stored on a card’s magnetic stripe. Criminals can then use the stolen information to drain benefits from a recipient’s account.

Chip cards make that more difficult because the chip generates a unique encrypted code for each transaction rather than relying solely on information stored on a magnetic stripe.

Virginia’s cards will use dual-interface technology, allowing users to either insert the card into a payment terminal or tap it. State officials say tapping offers the strongest protection.

“If a family qualifies for food assistance to help them buy groceries, they should not have to worry about someone stealing them,” Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin B. Figueroa said. “These new cards are a practical step to protect families and make it harder for criminals to take advantage of the system.”

Virginia is the eighth state in the nation to adopt chip-enabled EBT cards and the fifth to use dual-interface technology supporting both tap and insert transactions, according to the governor’s office.

First Communities Receiving Cards

The initial rollout targets 22 Virginia localities identified as having experienced high levels of benefit theft.

They include Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, Clarke, Fairfax City and Fairfax County, Giles, Lynchburg, Madison, Manassas Park, New Kent, Norfolk, Northampton, Orange, Patrick, Portsmouth, Radford, Richmond City, Roanoke City, Smyth, Surry, Washington and Wythe.

The second round is expected to begin at the end of October, with the statewide transition scheduled to be completed by the end of December.

Gov. Spanberger said the change is part of an effort to protect food assistance from theft.

“At a time when many families are struggling to keep up with the rising price of groceries and Republicans in Washington are making the deepest cuts to SNAP in the program’s history, we are taking this step to make sure families have secure, accessible support — and are protected from bad actors,” Spanberger said.

Before the rollout, the Virginia Department of Social Services tested systems at retailers across the state. Testers checked whether point-of-sale systems correctly processed transactions and monitored mailing times, card activations, and transaction problems.

The Virginia Food Industry Association also participated in the transition effort.

“When families’ benefits are better protected, those dollars stay in our communities and support local grocers and businesses across the Commonwealth,” association Executive Director Travis Smiley said.

State officials pointed to experiences in other states as evidence that chip technology can reduce theft. According to figures provided by the administration, California reported an 83% drop in benefit theft reports after moving to chip-enabled cards in January 2024. Alabama has also reported reductions in theft.

What SNAP Recipients Need to Do

Households do not need to request a new card, but keeping their address current is important because cards will be sent by mail.

Once a replacement card arrives, recipients should verify their information, activate the card, and establish a PIN by following the instructions included with it.

VDSS is also encouraging recipients to use the ConnectEBT app to lock their cards when they are not being used. Recipients can unlock a card when they are ready to make a purchase and lock it again afterward.

Recipients are also advised to change their PIN regularly and never provide their card number or PIN in response to an unsolicited phone call, email, or text message.

“SNAP benefits are often what stands between the families we serve and an empty table, and no one should have to worry about going hungry because a criminal targeted the help they depend on,” VDSS Commissioner Duke Storen said. “The threat of benefit theft is real, and this modernization strengthens the security of the benefits Virginians count on.”

The statewide announcement follows a recent warning from Warren County Department of Social Services officials that new chip cards were coming and that local recipients should make sure DSS has their correct address.

Although Warren County is not listed among the localities included in the initial rollout, the statewide schedule calls for all Virginia EBT cardholders to have their replacement cards by the end of December.

More information about the transition is available at virginiachipcard.com. EBT cardholders with questions may also contact the EBT Call Center at 866-281-2448, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.