According to a new law, the state may replace 3SVT benefits that were stolen due to card skimming, card cloning, or other similar reasons between Oct. 1, 2022, and Dec. 20, 2024.
To learn more read the approved state plan for the Replacement of Stolen EBT Benefits.
How to get reimbursed for 3SVT benefits stolen from your EBT Card
- Contact the Benefits Service Center at 1-800-479-6151 or go to your local district office to report the fraudulent activity or for assistance completing the attestation.
- Submit an attestation of loss form (This must be returned within 10 days of the report to ESD).
- Print Form 271 or call 1-800-479-6151 to request a copy.
- Complete the second page of the form and sign it.
- Submit it by:
- using the document uploader
- dropping it off at a district office
Please note: If 3SVT benefits were directly deposited into a bank account you will need to contact your financial institution to report the loss.
Please note the following deadlines
| My Benefits Were Stolen | Last day to File a Claim |
| Oct. 1, 2022 - March 14, 2023 | April 12, 2023 |
| On or after March 14, 2023 | 30 days from the date you discovered your benefits were stolen |
What to expect
- When did you discover the loss?
- What transactions are fraudulent on the EBT card?
- Do you have any additional details about the fraudulent activity on your EBT Card?
Next Steps
- You must submit a completed attestation of loss form (second page) within 10 days of the report to ESD.
- ESD will cancel your current EBT card will and a new EBT card will be issued to you.
- You must select a new pin number for your card when it arrives in the mail.
- You should alert local law enforcement of the theft.
- ESD will review your claim to determine if you are eligible for replacement benefits.
- If you are eligible for replacement benefits, ESD will notify you by phone.
- If you are not eligible for replacement benefits, ESD will mail you a denial notice.
Please note: Replacement benefits cannot exceed the lesser amount of the benefits stolen or the value of two months of the household’s monthly allotment.
ESD will deny claims for the following reasons
- We are not able to validate the claim of fraudulent activity.
- The household has already received the maximum of two replacement issuances during the current federal fiscal year 10/1-12/20.
The report of theft was more than 30 days after it was noticed by the household. - The customer did not return a completed Form 271 Attestation of Loss within 10 days of reporting the loss to Economic Services.
- Your claim of theft does not fall into the allowable replacement timeframe of 10/1/22-12/20/24.
Tips to protect your EBT card account
- Avoid simple PINs. Number combinations such as 1111, 1234 or 9876 may be easy for others to guess.
- Keep your PIN and card number secret. Do not share your PIN or card number with anyone outside your household. Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN on a machine.
- Beware of phishing. State agencies and EBT processors will never call or text to ask for your PIN or card number.
- Change your PIN often. Change your PIN at least once a month, right before your benefit issuance date.
- Check your EBT account regularly for unauthorized charges. If you see any, change your PIN right away to stop the thief from making new purchases. Report suspicious activity to the benefits service center at 1-800-479-6151 or your local 3SVT office.
- Contact your local 3SVT office. If you think you are the victim of card skimming and your 3SVT benefits were stolen, contact the benefits service center at 1-800-479-6151 or your local 3SVT office.