This week, the Georgia Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) announced that it received federal approval to replace electronically stolen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for recipients who are victims of card skimming, card cloning, and other similar fraud.
“Our team worked quickly to develop and implement a SNAP benefit replacement process to provide much needed relief to Georgians who have been defrauded by bad actors,” said DHS Commissioner Candice Broce. “As we begin to receive and review benefit replacement requests, we will continue to educate our clients on best practices to protect their SNAP benefits, such as shielding the PIN pad, changing their PIN numbers frequently, and checking their EBT accounts regularly.”
SNAP recipients who believe they are victims of fraud should request a new EBT card and PIN by calling 1-888-421-3281. To request replacement benefits, SNAP recipients must complete and return the Request for Replacement of Stolen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits. Individuals can complete and submit the form on the DFCS website, or they can visit a local DFCS office to obtain a printed copy. If individuals are unable to print at home or visit a local office, they can call 1-877-423-4746 or their local DFCS office and have the form mailed to them. In all cases, the recipient should submit their signed affidavit on the DFCS website, drop it off at their local DFCS office, or mail it to their local DFCS office. Office hours and locations are available at dfcs.georgia.gov/locations.
SNAP recipients can receive replacement of stolen benefits twice in each federal fiscal year, up until September 30, 2024. Any Georgian who believes their SNAP benefits were stolen between October 1, 2022, and October 18, 2023, has until November 18, 2023, to request a benefit replacement. Starting October 18, 2023, SNAP recipients must report stolen benefits within 30 days of discovering the suspected fraud to potentially receive a benefit replacement. Please note, the replacement amount will not exceed the amount of the stolen benefits or the amount equal to two months of the household’s SNAP benefits, whichever is less.
Clients can find additional information about requesting replacement benefits on our SNAP Fraud Benefit Replacement webpage. Anyone who suspects fraud involving any of their public benefits should report it to the DHS Office of Inspector General at [email protected] or 1-844-694-2347.
