New PA Law Aims to Stop EBT Benefits Theft

Legislation aimed at reducing the theft of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits is now law.

As part of the recently passed state budget lawmakers voted to approve upgrading Electronic Benefit Transfer cards with chip-enabled security features.

The legislation comes on  the heels of a nationwide tidal wave of SNAP benefits being stolen from families in need.

Under Act 21 of 2026, the Department of Human Services will upgrade the state EBT cards to include chip-enabled technology. Chip cards are encrypted and more difficult for fraudsters to copy or hack into than standard cards. Recent reporting showed there were more than 5,000 cases of card skimming in Pennsylvania in the past year, according to the DHS.

Several SNAP recipients living in the Bristol area were recently victimized by an apparent skimmer at the All Fresh Supermarket on Pond Street in Bristol Borough.  Additionally several Bristol area “moms” contacted this news organization reporting thousands (in total) of SNAP benefit dollars were stolen from their accounts.

Each thought the “stolen” benefits would be replaced and were outraged to find out replacement was stopped in 2024.

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In Pennsylvania, benefits stolen after December 20, 2024 stopped being reimbursed because Congressional authorization for federal funding to replace stolen SNAP benefits ended.

The Trump administration subsequently stopped allowing federal reimbursement for stolen funds, leaving states like Pennsylvania and New Jersey to rely on their own investigative tracking and state funding.

The law is a necessary step to protect taxpayer dollars and ensure benefits reach those who truly need them, officials said.

It could take up to two years to get the new chip-enabled cards to SNAP recipients.

DPW officials say for now beneficiaries should “lock” their cards and be mindful of where they use them.

To date there have been no arrests connected to the reported skimming incident at Bristol All Fresh. The investigation remains active, police said.