91. What if I my EBT card or benefits are lost or stolen?

To report a lost or stolen EBT card, call the Massachusetts EBT Customer Service at (800) 997-2555. DTA will replace your card, but DTA will not replace any SNAP benefits that are stolen from your account. 106 C.M.R. § 364.900 (D). Someone who steals your card can only use your SNAP if they know the PIN. Do not write your PIN on the card and keep it a secret! Once you report a lost or stolen card you can get a new PIN.

You can also call the DTA Assistance Line at (877) 382-2363 and follow the prompts to ask for a replacement EBT card.

If you ask for a new card by phone, it can take 7-10 days to show up in the mail. You can also go directly to your local DTA office to pick up a new card that day. Any DTA office can issue you a replacement EBT card.  Your old card will become deactivated and the value of your SNAP benefits will be transferred to the new EBT card.

DTA charge for EBT replacement cards

If you get cash or SNAP benefits and you lose your EBT card, DTA may charge $5.00 for replacement of the EBT card depending on the situation. DTA will deduct the $5.00 from your cash or SNAP benefits in your EBT account (you do not pay DTA directly). 

However, DTA should not charge the $5 fee for a replacement EBT card if:

  • the EBT card was lost in the mail and you never used the EBT card that was sent to you,
  • the EBT card did not work correctly (e.g. the magnetic strip failed),
  • you are a victim of domestic violence,
  • your SNAP/cash case was closed for more than 30 days, you reapplied and asked for a new EBT card because you tossed your old card,
  • you need a disability accommodation,
  • your name or SSN changed
  • you become exempt from the photo EBT rule and you want an EBT card without a photo (see Question 33), 
  • you ask for a new EBT card after your SNAP was stolen through skimming (you do not have to get a new card – just change your PIN - or
  • you meet other good cause exceptions.

Meeting with DTA to get EBT replacement card

Under DTA procedures, SNAP and cash (TAFDC or EAEDC) recipients that have received more than 4 replacement EBT cards within twelve months are now required to speak with a DTA worker to talk about the reasons for multiple requests and how the EBT card works.

Some clients who request more than four replacement cards within 12 months will be told they have to have an in-person appointment with a case manager or a fraud investigator. If this happens and it is a hardship for you, contact a Supervisor, the DTA Ombuds, or an advocate.

DTA cannot deny a request for a replacement EBT card if the person is SNAP eligible. Some EBT recipients may be confused about the card and how it works due to a disability, or an abusive partner or third party is taking the EBT card. If you are in this situation, contact Legal Services.

SNAP stolen after your EBT Card/PIN information was "skimmed"

Unfortunately, thieves can try to copy card and PIN information when you use your card at a grocer. Then they can create a new EBT card to use your SNAP benefits. This is called "skimming." You may not know a thief has copied your card and PIN information until after your SNAP benefits are stolen. Since June 2022, thieves have stolen SNAP from thousands of households in Massachusetts.

To best protect your SNAP, change your pin after every purchase you make with your SNAP. DTA advises that you change your PIN before each SNAP issuance (your normal date of issuance and the second business day of each month for the Emergency Allotments). Call (800) 997-2555 to change your PIN. Learn more at Mass.gov/ProtectYourEBT

DTA will replace SNAP that was stolen with federal dollars, up to two times your benefit amount. 

Report stolen SNAP to DTA right away and get them your signature so you can get replacement. You must report within 30 days of when you discovered the theft. Here is how to report and get DTA your signature:

  1. Phone: Call the DTA Stolen Benefits Line 833-602-9247, or DTA Assistance Line 877-382-2363, and say you want to provide your verbal signature for a claim about stolen SNAP

  2. Online: Fill out DTA’s online claim form here: https://www.mass.gov/forms/claim-for-replacement-of-stolen-benefits-form

  3. Mail: Use this paper form or a statement you write with the same information and send to DTA. You can send it in by:  

    • Uploading on DTA Connect

    • Mailing to: DTA Program Integrity Fraud Investigation Unit P.O. Box 4411 Taunton, MA 02780-0435

    • Faxing to (617) 348-5479

    • Bring into any local DTA office

If you don't get DTA a signature at the same time you report, you must get them your signature within 30 days of when you report. 

If you had more than two months of SNAP stolen, contact MLRI at info@masslegalservices.org.

DTA Online Guide 

See Appendix G for links to the DTA’s BEACON Online Guide for this section.

90. What is I was getting SNAP in another state or DTA says I am part of another SNAP household?
92. What if I lose food due to a power outage, a fire or a natural disaster?