Warning Issued to Millions on Major SNAP Benefits Problem

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps millions of low-income Americans stretch their food budgets. Recipients receive monthly benefits loaded onto an EBT card that they can use to buy groceries. According to USDA data, in fiscal year 2024, SNAP served approximately 41.7 million people per month.

But according to a new report from Propel, a technology company serving public benefit recipients, EBT theft has become a serious and growing threat to SNAP recipients. Many SNAP recipients and advocates are calling for new steps to help prevent benefit theft. Understanding how SNAP theft works and how to protect yourself can help lower your financial stress.

The growing problem of SNAP benefit theft

According to the 2026 Propel survey of EBT Theft Awareness and Impact, approximately $607 million in SNAP benefits was stolen from households in 2025. The number of surveyed households that reported losses has declined compared to last year; 18% of households surveyed in 2026 reported stolen benefits, while 27% of households surveyed in 2025 experienced theft.

However, the losses have increased in size. Of 2026 households surveyed, 64% lost more than $250 in benefits, while 32% lost over $500.

How SNAP theft occurs

Thieves often steal EBT benefits by using card skimming devices or phishing scams, stealing EBT card numbers and PINs, and then electronically accessing the funds. Thieves often carefully time the theft when they know the most benefits will be on the cards. The Propel survey found that 57% of households had their benefits stolen on their deposit day, while 30% of households' benefits were stolen a few days after deposit day.

How SNAP theft affects beneficiaries

The theft is having a tremendous effect on SNAP beneficiaries. The Propel survey found that 56% of beneficiaries skipped or reduced their meals as a result of the theft, while 43% borrowed money or went into debt. Additionally, 42% of respondents sought out extra help, such as by going to charities, while 35% struggled to pay their bills or rent.

Propel notes that the benefit theft affected recipients beyond the month in which the theft occurred, highlighting the ongoing impact that financial losses can have on households already living on tight budgets. The theft of SNAP benefits may cause households to be late on their bills and rent because of the theft, leading to long-lasting consequences.

How beneficiaries are preventing SNAP theft

Many SNAP beneficiaries have taken measures to protect their benefits. The Propel survey found that 56% of respondents never share their EBT card number or PIN with anyone who isn't part of the SNAP household, and 33% cover the keypad when entering their PIN. Respondents also frequently change their PIN, check the card reader to see if it's compromised, and avoid certain stores. Some respondents also flag suspicious text messages, phone calls, or social media posts, alerting their local SNAP offices.

Existing protections against SNAP theft

Protections against SNAP theft are limited, but beneficiaries have the ability to lock their SNAP card, which may help prevent theft. Propel found that, among beneficiaries who didn't lock their card, 54% of beneficiaries weren't aware that they could lock their card. Providing additional education about this feature could potentially help reduce theft and protect beneficiaries.

Desired additional SNAP protections

SNAP beneficiaries clearly demonstrated a desire for more safety features to help protect their benefits. Safety features like the ability to block transactions in real-time, the use of an EBT card with a security chip, and the use of virtual cards or mobile pay might all help reduce theft. Currently, the burden of preventing theft is largely on households, but these systemic protections could enhance EBT security and reduce benefit theft.

How California is fighting theft

In 2025, California issued chip cards for EBT, becoming the first state to do so. Prior to implementing the chip cards, at least 19% of California Propel respondents reported having their benefits stolen during the prior year. After the implementation of the chip cards, the reporting of stolen benefits dropped to 8%.

The chip card implementation has come with challenges. SNAP recipients report not always using the chip when making in-store purchases, and some cashiers instruct shoppers to swipe the cards instead. Additionally, a small percentage of SNAP households had to replace their chip cards at least once due to damage or because the card wouldn't work at stores.

Bottom line

Given the rise of EBT benefit theft and the increasingly sophisticated phishing scams, SNAP advocates and recipients are calling for more systemic protections against the widespread and growing theft. Security features like locking cards, blocking out-of-state transactions, and blocking online transactions are available in some, but not all, states. A collective move toward enhanced security features could help prevent theft, protecting SNAP households.

If you use a SNAP EBT card, consider researching the security features that are available in your state. By actively using those security features, you can protect your benefits, stretching your food budget so you can use your income to help pay for your bills.

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