Reporting Stolen SNAP Benefits

1. Avoid Simple PINs: Number combinations such as 1111, 1234, or 9876 may be easy for others to guess. 
2.  Change PIN after using card: By changing your PIN frequently, especially after using your card, you can minimize your risk of stolen benefits from a previously skimmed EBT card. To change your card PIN, you can call: 1-866-512-5087.  
3. Keep your PIN secret. Do not share your PIN with anyone outside your household. Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN on a machine.  
4. Check your EBT account regularly for unrecognized charges. If you notice any, change your PIN immediately to prevent further theft.  
5. Check card reading machines to make sure there’s nothing suspicious overlayed or attached to the card swiper or keypad. The overlays can be difficult to detect but are often bigger than the original machine and may hide parts of the machine. 

Step 1: Stop the Fraud:  Call 1-866-512-5087 to request a new EBT card and change your PIN number.

Step 2 Report the Fraud:  Report the theft to MDHS.

• Complete the reporting form on our website here: Online Lost Benefit Attestation Form
• Call the MDHS Office of Inspector General at: 1-800-299-6905

Some potential warning signs that you may have been a victim include:

• Charges on your EBT card that no one in your household recognizes.
• Charges at businesses that you have not visited.
• Charges at out of state or unfamiliar locations.

Replacement benefits are for SNAP recipients with benefits stolen, due to fraud, from their SNAP EBT card between Oct. 1, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2024.

MDHS will investigate each claim received timely. Benefits will be replaced up to certain limits if the claim is validated.

• If your benefits were stolen between October 1, 2022 and August 14, 2023, you must report the theft by October 13, 2023.  
• If your benefits were stolen after August 14, 2023, you must report the theft within 30 days of discovering the theft. 

Step 1:  Call 1-866-512-5087to request a new EBT card and change your PIN number.

Step 2:  Report the theft to MDHS.

• Complete and sign the Lost Benefit Attestation Form and Request for Replacement of SNAP Benefits Form

or

• Call the MDHS Office of Inspector General at: 1-800-299-6905

Step 3:  MDHS will review the claim and either approve or deny the claim within 10 days of the receipt of the attestation form.

Step 4:  You will receive an approval or denial notice.

Step 5:  If the claim is approved, you will receive your replacement benefits on your EBT card within 10 days of the claim approval.

Step 6:  Always monitor your account and protect your PIN number!

The total replacement amount cannot be more than the amount of the stolen benefits or the amount equal to two months of your SNAP benefit allotments, whichever is less.

Federal law sets a limit on the amount of stolen benefits that MDHS can replace.

Example 1:  If your monthly SNAP benefit amount is $300 and you report that $900 of benefits were stolen, MDHS can provide you with $600 in replacement benefits, if the theft is validated.

Example 2:  If your monthly SNAP benefit amount is $300 and you report $50 of benefits stolen, MDHS can provide you with $50 in replacement benefits, if the theft is validated.

SNAP benefits lost due to theft cannot be replaced more than two times in a Federal Fiscal year (October 1 – September 30).

• Fastest WAY! Online: Complete the Online Lost Benefit Attestation form on the MDHS website
• By mail: Complete the Downloadable Lost Benefit Attestation form and mail to:

MDHS Office of Inspector General

P.O. Box 352

Jackson, MS 39205-0352

• In person: Visit your local county office and request the Lost Benefit Attestation form. Find your county office address – www.mdhs.ms.gov/contact
  Downloadable Lost Benefit Attestation Form

After you report the theft, you will be asked to complete an Online Lost Benefit Attestation Form if you have not submitted one already.  

After MDHS receives your attestation form, an investigator will review your claim and either approve or deny the claim within 10 days of the receipt of the attestation form. 

Once a decision has been made, you will receive an approval or denial notice. 

If your claim is approved, you will receive your replacement benefits on your EBT card within 10 days of the claim approval.  

If your claim is approved, you will receive your replacement benefits on your EBT card within 10 days of the claim approval.  

If you disagree with the investigator’s decision, you can appeal.  

If you appeal, you will get a fair hearing.  A fair hearing is your chance to tell your story to the Administrative Hearings Unit. You can represent yourself, or have a lawyer, or someone else speak for you. The Administrative Hearings Unit will review the facts of your case in a fair and objective manner. The Administrative Hearings Unit will decide whether the department’s decision should be upheld or reversed.   

If you want to request a fair hearing, call Administrative Hearings at 601-359-4500. You may ask someone you trust to help you ask for a fair hearing

TANF is a separate program and has different rules and procedures regarding stolen benefits.

To report stolen TANF benefits you should contact Way2Go card services at 1-855-709-1079. After entering your card number or social security number, listen for the option to dispute a transaction. Then, listen for the option to initiate a claim of fraud or a transaction dispute.  

You can also mail your report of stolen TANF benefits to

Customer Account Services
PO Box 245997
San Antonio, Texas 78224.

Card skimmers are stealthy fraud devices that collect or copy card information when a card is swiped or scanned for payment. Criminals attach card skimmers to common card reading devices, such as grocery store or gas pump payment systems. Although they’re often used to steal bank funds or credit card information, skimmers can also be used to steal benefits that use electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards.

Phishing refers to the process of using phone calls, text, emails, or other communication to “fish” for sensitive personal information or convince a person or organization to reveal information that can be used to steal bank funds, identity, benefits, or other assets. Do not provide your EBT number or PIN by phone or text.

• Fastest WAY! Online: Complete the Lost Benefit Attestation form on the MDHS website
• By mail: Complete the Lost Benefit Attestation form and mail to:

MDHS Office of Inspector General

P.O. Box 352

Jackson, MS 39205-0352

• In person: Visit your local county office and request the Lost Benefit Attestation form. Find your county office address – www.mdhs.ms.gov/contact