Liberty, NY – New federal and state rules allow certain benefits to be replaced if they have been stolen through electronic means (card skimming, cloning, third-party misrepresentation or other similar fraudulent methods such as phishing).
“Scammers are constantly looking for ways to separate people from their money, including those who are on government assistance,” says Sullivan County Deputy Commissioner of Social Services Giselle Steketee. “And they do it both on the Internet and at card-reading machines like ATMs, so people always need to be vigilant.”
“Thankfully,” she adds, “this new legislation allows us to refund stolen money to victims, ensuring they don’t endure further hardship because of crafty criminals.”
- If Your Benefits Have Been Stolen
Immediately contact EBT Customer Service Helpline to report your card stolen and request a replacement EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card by:
- calling 1-888-328-6399
- visiting www.ConnectEBT.com
- or through the ConnectEBT mobile app
After you have reported your EBT card stolen and requested a replacement card, you can apply for replacement benefits. If you already received a replacement card since your benefits were stolen, you do not need to replace your card again.
- Eligibility for Replacement Benefits
Before applying for replacement benefits, note that:
- Benefits must have been stolen electronically through skimming, cloning or phishing.
- Benefits can only be replaced up to two times per federal fiscal year, which is October 1 to September 30.
- The law limits benefit replacements to the amount that was stolen, or two (2) times the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and/or TA (Temporary Assistance) cash benefits received in the last full month of issuance before benefits were stolen, whichever is less.
Even if your SNAP or TA case has closed since benefits were stolen, you may still be eligible for replacement benefits.
- SNAP benefits may be eligible for replacement if the date of theft is on or after October 1, 2022.
- TA cash benefits may be eligible for replacement if the date of theft is on or after January 1, 2022.
- Please note that the deadline to apply is October 31, 2023, if the theft occurred before August 21, 2023. For thefts on or after August 22, 2023, the deadline is 30 days from the date you discovered your benefits were stolen.
- How to Apply
You must apply for replacement benefits – it does not happen automatically. But you only need to complete one application for replacement of SNAP and/or TA cash benefits. Follow instructions below to complete and submit the application. Make sure you have your case number and client identification number (CIN), along with the date, location and amount of any fraudulent transactions.
If you received benefits from any county outside of NYC at the time of theft, you must submit a paper application to the local department of social services where you currently live. There is no online application for counties outside of New York City, but you can download and print the application at https://otda.ny.gov/programs/applications/5215.pdf.
Submit the application in any of these ways (Sullivan County residents only):
- Drop it off at the Sullivan County Department of Social Services, 16 Community Lane, Liberty.
- Mail to the Sullivan County Department of Social Services, 16 Community Lane, Liberty, NY 12754.
- Upload to NYDocSubmit via mobile app.
The Department of Social Services has 30 days to determine eligibility for replacement benefits, process applications and issue benefits. You will receive a notice telling you the outcome of the determination.
- Stay Vigilant Against Scams
It is important to understand how EBT benefits can be stolen, and ways to protect your benefits.
- Card skimming directly copies card and personal identification number (PIN) information from EBT cardholders using a device (skimmers) placed on top of a store’s card reading machine. The stolen data is used to access your EBT account and spend your SNAP and TA cash benefits. Skimming can happen anywhere you swipe your EBT card, including automated teller machines (ATMs).
- Phishing scams appear as official and legitimate emails, text messages, or phone calls that try to get you to disclose information about you or your EBT card. Thieves can use this information to access your account and spend your SNAP and cash benefits.
Protect your benefits in the following ways:
- Inspect the card reading machine before you use it. Skimmers are designed to look like the card reading machine that they fit over and will likely be difficult to notice. However, there are some signs that may indicate that a skimmer is being used, including:
- Some block LED indicator lights or illuminated backlit keypad numbers, or partially cover stylus/pen trays.
- The faceplate may be loose, appear ill-fitting, or be easily dislodged from the body of the machine.
- The faceplate may be miscolored, texturally mismatched, or otherwise appear different than the body of the card reading machine.
- The easiest way to check for a skimmer is to gently pull up on the terminal. They are flimsy and will come right off.
If you notice any signs that a skimmer may be in use, do not swipe your card and alert the store manager. Contact the police and notify your local department of social services as soon as possible.
- Do not share your personal identification number (PIN) with anyone that you do not want to use your account. New York State, County, and EBT staff will never ask you to share your PIN. If someone asks you to tell them your PIN, assume it is a scam.
- Never write your PIN on your card or on the card sleeve. If you need someone outside your household to access your EBT benefits on your behalf, contact the Department of Social Services about naming an Authorized Representative on your case.
- Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN on a machine. Never let anyone, even a store cashier, see you enter your PIN at a machine.
- Choose a PIN that is difficult to guess and change it frequently. If you change your PIN after every transaction, anyone attempting to steal your benefits will no longer have the correct information to access your account. You may change your PIN with the help of EBT Customer Service by calling 888-328-6399 or by visiting www.connectebt.com.
Check your EBT transactions frequently for any suspicious transactions. If you believe your benefits have been stolen, report that your EBT card has been stolen and request a new card.
