Today’s EBT update is a big one. We’ve got some important news about changes to EBT replacement rules, exciting developments in EBT fraud prevention, some critical updates for Summer EBT and some exciting new discounts as well. So let’s dive right in!
Last Call for EBT Replacements
First things first, this is the last call for EBT replacements due to theft or skimming. The current program that allows those benefits to be replaced expires at the end of September 2024.
The amount of SNAP and EBT theft has continued to rise over the last 18 months, which means this is very bad timing to have that replacement program expire. We’ve seen reports of some really gutsy thieves lately, including a Rhode Island Department of Corrections officer who was recently arrested for SNAP fraud after using an incarcerated friend’s SNAP card to make purchases. It’s crazy out there.
Anyway, because the government still hasn’t been able to put a stop to these thefts yet, some lawmakers have submitted a letter to Congressional leaders asking for an extension of this replacement program. They’re asking for the current rules to be extended a little longer, but I was unable to find out exactly how long they’re trying to get it extended for. Ultimately, we don’t know if that will happen yet so please don’t count on it. If you’ve been a victim of EBT theft, you need to take action right away to get those benefits replaced.
The good news is that the theft replacement program is different from the typical emergency replacement program. You should still be able to get your SNAP benefits replaced if you lost food due to a fire, flood, natural disaster, or extended power outage. You should still be able to get your benefits replaced in those circumstances, as long as you file your claim within 10 days of the loss. The deadlines for these replacements are very tight, so it’s important to keep an eye on your local news or reach out to your local food stamps office as soon as possible to make sure you’re able to get that food replaced.
New EBT Theft Prevention Tools
On the bright side, it looks like the government is starting to take that EBT theft more seriously. The US Secret Service has been conducting outreach operations in different states, most recently in Alaska. They partner with local agencies, checking hundreds of terminals in various areas in search of skimmers. In Alaska, they checked 1,750 point-of-sale terminals and found two skimmers. Along the way, they also distribute a lot of educational materials about EBT fraud and skimming.
In ever better news, California and Oklahoma have also started issuing new EBT cards that have chip and tap technology built in. This is a crucial milestone, because these cards are way more resistant to skimming. That’s why your credit and debit cards have chips in them. The old magnetic stripes make it easy for thieves to copy your information, but chip cards create a unique code for every transaction and that makes it very hard for thieves to steal the information. The chip puts an extra layer of protection around your benefits. Hopefully, we’ll see those newer, more secure EBT cards roll out in even more states soon.
Summer EBT Update
We’re also coming to the end of Summer EBT for 2024 as well. Some states, like Delaware and Nevada, are going to issue those Summer EBT benefits this month. Nevada will send theirs between September 16th and September 30th, but Delaware hasn’t released any exact dates yet.
Even though states haven’t finished sending benefits for this year, talk is already underway about how the program will work next year. After all, states have to file their declaration of intent for the 2025 Summer EBT program no later than January 1.
Iowa has already signaled their intent to refuse to issue Summer EBT next year. In fact, the state asked the USDA for special permission to run a new pilot program that issues grocery boxes instead. This program would give each eligible family a grocery box for every month of summer. In most cases, families would have to pick up those boxes from distribution sites but the state has said some delivery options would be available for those who have transportation challenges.
The state hasn’t said how much all of this would cost, but the state’s Director of Health and Human Services claims that this food box program is superior to Summer EBT because the state can choose which nutritious foods families will receive and buy those foods in bulk. The state has also said that this will allow them to increase the number of families that are eligible by raising the income limits to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Under their plan, around 56,000 more children would be eligible for assistance.
That being said, there are some major problems with this plan. Local food banks hate it. The Des Moines Area Religious Council saw their busiest month in over 50 years last July, and they don’t see demand going down anytime soon. They know that local families need more help than they are getting. The Iowa Hunger Coalition said that families should be able to choose what they get because food boxes don’t accommodate cultural, dietary or religious food needs. If someone has a severe peanut allergy and the state decides that peanut butter is nutritious, that isn’t going to be helpful.
And this is completely aside from the logistical issues. Families may have to take time off work to pick up those food boxes. They’re going to have to spend money on gas or other expenses to get that help. The state is also going to have to spend money buying the food, assembling the boxes, shipping them to distribution sites and handing them out. It just seems massively inconvenient for everyone involved.
The USDA has also spoken out against Iowa’s plan. A spokesperson said that the Iowa plan goes against decades of research and testing. They also said, quote, “the governor is asserting that the State knows better than its own families do about what their needs are.” end quote.
Many groups are lobbying Iowa to just take the money for Summer EBT next year, but we’ll see what happens or if the USDA approves that waiver.
New EBT Discounts
Now in other news, we have found 20 new EBT discounts in 11 different states. Let’s go over these new EBT admission discounts really quickly:
- Charisman California Islands Center in Carpinteria, CA
- Heritage Square Museum in Los Angeles, CA
- LEAP Children’s Museum in Santa Clarita, CA
- Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History in Pacific Grove, CA
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, CA
- Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, CO
- Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum in Savannah, GA.
- Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas
- Wichita Art Museum in Wichita, Kansas
- Irvine Nature Center in Owings Mill, Maryland
- Danforth Art Museum in Framingham, Massachusetts
- Icon Museum and Study Center in Clinton, Mass.
- Harding Museum in Franklin, OH
- Log Post Office in Franklin OH
- Mahoning Valley Historical Society in Youngstown, OH
- El Paso Museum of Archaeology in El Paso, TX
- El Paso Museum of History in El Paso, TX
- Iron County Historical & Museum Society in Caspian, Michigan
- Electric City Trolley Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania
- Fife History Museum and Cultural Center in Fife, Washington
On a nationwide note, Walgreens and Instacart have announced a new partnership that will allow people to shop with SNAP benefits online from 7,500 Walgreen stores nationwide. This includes over 100 Duane Reade locations in New York.
Relief Recap
This wraps up our September EBT update. Don’t forget to check out our other posts for more ways that you can save money and get free stuff!