What do I do if I lost my EBT card NYC?

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Fresh EBT is now Providers! New name, new look, new features. Learn more.

Download the Providers app to check your balance instantly. And while you’re there, explore opportunities to save and earn money.

EBT = electronic benefits transfer.

EBT card = a card that looks and works like a debit or credit card but is loaded with food stamps and/or cash benefits. You can use it at stores that accept EBT.

You’ll get the New York EBT Card once you’re approved for benefits.

New York’s EBT customer service number is 1-888-328-6399.

You’ll have to renew your food stamps before your certification period (the amount of time you’ll get food stamps) ends.

For most New York households, that period is 6 - 12 months. Confirm the length of your certification period with your caseworker.

You’ll get a letter in the mail when it’s time to reapply. To be safe, you could also put a note in your calendar or wherever you keep important reminders.

You can renew your benefits online with a myBenefits account.

If you’d rather renew in person, call your caseworker, local office, or the New York SNAP hotline (1-800-342-3009) to find out how.

New York sends out benefits over the first 9 days of every month, based on the last digit of your case number.

For NYC cases, benefits are sent out over 13 days that are not Sundays or holidays, during the first two weeks of each month.

Check the full schedule to find out which day you’ll get your food stamps.

You should report:

• If anyone moves in or out of your household.
• Financial changes like income, rent, savings, or child support.
• Work changes. Does your household include an adult who doesn’t have a disability or a child (what the government calls an ABAWD)? Is this person required to work or train 20 hours/week? Then you should report if this person starts working or training less than 20 hours/week.

Most households have to report all changes no more than 10 days after they happen, but some don’t. Your caseworker can confirm which rules apply to your household.

If you are moving, you should report your new address ASAP to make sure you don’t miss any important letters.

You can report changes online with a myBenefits account.

If you can’t find your EBT card, call the New York EBT hotline as soon as you can: 1-888-328-6399.

If someone manages to use your card, you won’t be able to get those benefits back, so make sure you call right away!

You can use food stamps to buy groceries, snacks, and seeds or plants that will produce food.

You can’t use food stamps to buy alcohol, tobacco products, vitamins, live animals, prepared foods, or any non-food household items.

WIC food packages typically include cereal, juice, eggs, milk, peanut butter, dried and canned beans, tofu, fruits and vegetables, and whole-wheat bread. WIC packages also include canned fish and cheese for breastfeeding moms, and baby food for babies.

See the full SNAP food list

Download Providers to see nearby stores and farmer’s markets that take EBT. You don’t need an account to use the map.

Yes! Your EBT card can get you and your family discounted or free admission to museums, theme parks, zoos, aquariums, and more.

Once your child is born, your household size will increase. More household members = more benefits.

While you are pregnant, you can’t get more food stamps, but you can apply for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits.

WIC provides food and resources for pregnant women, new parents, and children up to 5 years old.

If you have a child who’s 18 or younger, you may qualify for cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

TANF provides monthly cash assistance to help families with children get by during tough times.

Check out this benefit finder tool and find out.

This information was compiled by Providers from publicly available government websites. Please check in with your local office if you have questions.

If you receive New York food stamps, then you know you cannot access your SNAP benefits without a New York Common Benefit Identification Card. This is why it is important that, if your card has been lost or stolen, or the magnetic stripe on the back of the card has been damaged, you need to report it in order to receive a replacement EBT card. If lost or stolen, you need to request a new card right away to prevent potential food stamp fraud. If someone has your New York food stamp card, they may be able to purchase food items using your SNAP benefits. Below is the step by step process when requesting a new New York EBT card.

Step 1 - Report Lost Or Stolen EBT Card
You must report the card as lost, stolen, or damaged, either to the EBT help desk or to the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. The contact information is listed below.

Step 2 - Deactivate EBT Card
The help desk or food stamp office must deactivate the card so that the system does not have multiple active cards for the same account.

Step 3 - Setup New EBT Card
A replacement card must be drawn from the food stamp office inventory. Then, information about the card holder, including your pin, must be added to the EBT card's magnetic stripe. Next, information about the card itself (e.g., card number) and the PIN must be added to the system's database and linked to your SNAP account.

Step 4 - Receiving Your New EBT Card
Once the card is setup, it will be delivered to you via mail. Once you receive the replacement card, you then call the help desk to activate the card. In most cases you should receive your new New York Common Benefit Identification Card within two business days following notice by the household to the State agency. The State may request a waiver from the Department to allow a longer replacement time. If you need the card sooner, they may allow you to come down to the office to get your new EBT card. You can ask if that is available when you call them.

• Request By Phone

  You can request a replacement New York EBT card by calling 866-352-5878.

• Request Online

  You can request a replacement New York Common Benefit Identification Card online by clicking here.

• Report Fraud By Phone

  You can report New York food stamp fraud by calling 800-342-3009 or 877-472-8411.

• Report Fraud Online

  You can report New York food stamp fraud online by clicking here.