Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026

Increased Security against Fraud: The bill requires the transition to chip-enabled EBT cards that are resistant to cloning (Section 2, B, ii, IV-VI).

Improved Access to Account Management: States must provide user interfaces that allow households to manage their EBT accounts, which can include mobile applications or web-based portals (Section 2, B, ii, I, aa).

Transaction Transparency: Households can receive timely electronic notices of transactions and have access to historical transaction records for at least the preceding 12 months (Section 2, B, ii, I, aa, AA-BB).

Protection of Benefits during Card Issues: If an EBT card is damaged, stolen, or frozen due to fraud, states must ensure a replacement card is provided within 3 business days (Section 4, B, i).

Elimination of Certain Replacement Fees: States are prohibited from charging for replacement cards if the replacement is due to a malfunction, expiration, or suspected fraud by someone outside the household (Section 5, ii).

Support for Limited-Access Areas: A grant program is established to help eligible entities in areas with limited grocery access upgrade to chip-compatible payment terminals (Section 2, B, E, ii).

Mandatory Transition Requirements: The bill mandates that states must reissue existing valid magnetic stripe EBT cards as chip-enabled cards within 5 years (Section 2, B, ii, VI).

Retailer Requirements: Retail food stores and wholesale food concerns seeking to participate in SNAP will be required to have chip-enabled payment terminals (Section 6).