Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits that were taken from the Electrotonic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards of victims of electronic theft will be replaced by the Oregon Department of Human Services.
Electronic theft involves card skimming, card cloning and other related tactics.
Replacement of Stolen SNAP Benefits
Beginning on May 22, replacements will be made to SNAP benefits that were electronically stolen on or after October 1, 2022.
Oregon citizens whose SNAP payments were stolen after May 22 should apply for replacement benefits right now.
If you are aware that your SNAP payments were stolen during the period of October 1, 2022, to May 22, 2023, it is necessary to request replacement benefits by June 21, 2023.
Please note that ODHS cannot issue replacement benefits for payments that were stolen before October 1, 2022.
If you find out that your SNAP benefits were stolen after May 22, you will be given a 30-day period to request replacement benefits, starting from the day you discover the theft.
How to request replacement SNAP benefits
- To obtain details on how to request benefits through email or mail, please access the ODHS website via https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/assistance/food-benefits/pages/replacement%20-benefits.aspx.
- To locate an office in your vicinity, kindly visit https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/Offices/Pages/one-services.aspx, or you may consider calling the ONE customer service center at 1-800-699-9075.
Read more: Former IRS Officer And Oakland Tax Enforcement Worker Charged In $3M PPP Loan Scheme
Requesting Replacement Benefits for Stolen TANF Funds
In the event of theft of your Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits, you can ask for replacement benefits by reaching out to any of the following:
- Your family coach
- The ONE customer service center by dialing 1-800-699-9075
- You can find a Local Self-Sufficiency Programs Office that is close to your location by visiting https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/Offices/Pages/Self-Sufficiency.aspx on the internet.
To safeguard your EBT card information, follow these steps:
- As soon as you finish using your card, place it on hold immediately, and then reactivate it before you make any purchases. You can do this on the ebtEdge mobile app or by visiting Cardholder.ebtEdge.com and selecting the ‘Freeze Card’ section under ‘Account Services.’
- Set up blocks to prevent purchases made outside of Oregon and online purchases. You can remove these blocks when needed by going to the ‘Protect My Account’ section under ‘Account Services’ on the ebtEdge mobile app or by visiting Cardholder.ebtEdge.com.
- Keep your PIN confidential. Do not share it with anyone outside your household, and always cover the keypad when entering it on a machine.
- Monitor your EBT account frequently for any unauthorized charges. If you detect any, cancel your card without delay.
Read more: Attorneys For IRS Whistleblower Discuss Hunter Biden Probe With Congressional Investigators