SNAP EBT Transitioning to Chip Card
What’s new: Do you know about the upcoming transition from EBT cards to EBT cards that include a chip?
Why it matters: In an effort to modernize EBT and reduce fraud, multiple states are planning to migrate their EBT cards from magnetic stripe to EMV chip cards. States, starting with California and Oklahoma, are planning to issue chip cards beginning as soon as this month.
What’s next: . This transition will begin in California this month and Oklahoma will follow in April. Grocers in California and Oklahoma and encouraged to transition as soon as possible.
Other states: While other states have yet to announce their transition, you may begin seeing SNAP EBT chip cards due to the out-of-state travel of SNAP participants.
What do you need to transition to cards with a chip:
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Connect with your POS system provider and ask about their timeline for adding SNAP EBT chip cards.
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Connect with your payment processor and ask about their timeline for adding SNAP EBT chip cards.
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Once you know when your POS and payment systems will be updated, request a test card to test your system (FIS states only for now).
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Once you have tested your system, tell the USDA that you are ready.
Take a deeper dive: Please see the official notice from here.
Need more info? Watch NGA's webinar on the transition.