Rollout of More Secure “Chip-and-Tap” EBT Cards

Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced the rollout of new, more secure EBT cards equipped with “chip-and-tap” technology to better prevent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud and protect families from having their food assistance “skimmed.” Virginia is among the first five states to implement this new technology.

Chip-enabled cards are significantly more resistant to a kind of theft known as “skimming,” where credit card information is captured at the point of sale and the benefits are drained before families can use them. Households do not need to take any action to receive a new card, and benefits will continue without interruption throughout the transition.

“When I took office, I made clear that my administration would find new ways to make government work better for Virginians,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “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.”

The initial rollout targets localities that have experienced high levels of benefit theft — including Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, Clarke, Fairfax City and County, Giles, Lynchburg, Madison, Manassas Park, New Kent, Norfolk, Northampton, Orange, Patrick, Portsmouth, Radford, Richmond City, Roanoke City, Smyth, Surry, Washington, and Wythe.

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

The second round of card rollouts is scheduled to begin at the end of October. Households do not need to take any action to receive a new card and benefits will continue without interruption throughout the transition. All EBT cardholders in Virginia are expected to have their new cards in hand by the end of December 2026.

“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,” said Duke Storen, Commissioner of Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS). “The threat of benefit theft is real, and this modernization strengthens the security of the benefits Virginians count on.”

A Tested, Deliberate Rollout

This pilot launch follows an extensive statewide readiness effort designed to ensure a smooth transition for families. Testers visited retailers across Virginia to confirm that point-of-sale systems correctly handled both successful purchases and declined ones. VDSS monitored card mailing times, activations, and transaction issues so they could be identified and resolved quickly.

“Throughout the testing and rollout process, this has been a true collaboration, and the result is a stronger, more secure system,” said Travis Smiley, Executive Director of the Virginia Food Industry Association. “When families’ benefits are better protected, those dollars stay in our communities and support local grocers and businesses across the Commonwealth. The Virginia Food Industry Association appreciates VDSS’ diligent efforts working with Virginia’s retailers to protect customers from theft and fraud.”

Stronger Protection for Families’ Benefits

Chip cards align Virginia’s EBT system with the same technology used by banks and major retailers. Rather than relying on a magnetic stripe, which is more vulnerable to skimming devices, a chip generates a unique, encrypted code for every transaction that is far harder to skim or clone. Virginia’s new cards are also dual-interface, meaning families can either insert the chip or tap to pay, with tapping offering the strongest protection.

Other states have already seen major drops in theft after switching to chip cards: California reported that reports of benefit theft dropped 83 percent after it moved to chip-enabled cards in January 2024, and Alabama has reported similar results.

Virginia is the 8th state in the nation to adopt chip-enabled EBT cards the 5th to use dual-interface technology that supports both tap and insert. The upgrade is part of the Commonwealth’s broader work to modernize the way it delivers services, bringing a critical benefits system up to the security standard families already expect from their own bank cards.

What Families Should Know

Because new cards are mailed directly to households, it is important that families make sure the mailing address on file with their local department of social services is current, so their card reaches them without delay. When a new card arrives, families should verify their information, activate the card, and set a PIN by following the instructions mailed with the card.

VDSS encourages all cardholders to continue taking simple steps to protect their benefits, including locking the card when it is not in use through the ConnectEBT app, changing the PIN regularly, and never sharing a card number or PIN in response to an unsolicited call, text, or email.

More information about the chip card transition is available at virginiachipcard.com. Cardholders with questions can contact the EBT Call Center at 866-281-2448, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.