Health Care Authority News:

• • • • • SNAP customers encouraged to protect their EBT cards 

SANTA FE – Food assistance recipients who had their benefits electronically stolen or skimmed will no longer be eligible to receive federal reimbursement after Dec. 20, 2024. 

Federal assistance to reimburse Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers for electronically stolen or skimmed benefits has been extended from Sept. 30. 

In late December 2022, Congress passed a law to protect and replace SNAP benefits stolen via card skimming, card cloning, and other similar methods. The law required states to replace benefits stolen between Oct. 1, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2024. 

On Sept. 25, 2024, the United States Congress passed a Continuing Resolution that extends the federal authority to replace electronically stolen or skimmed EBT benefits through Dec. 20, 2024. 

 “We are focused on helping our customers protect and use their SNAP benefits,” said Niki Kozlowski, director of Income Support Division of HCA. “We urge all SNAP customers to monitor their account, use their benefits, and change their account PIN regularly.” 

SNAP benefits are eligible for replacement if the theft occurred between Oct. 1, 2022, and Dec. 20, 2024. Benefit replacement requests must be received within 30 calendar days of when the theft is discovered. Any benefit thefts which occur on or after Dec. 21, 2024, will not be eligible for replacement. 

SNAP customers need to be aware and monitor their account balance and if they believe benefits have been stolen due to card skimming, cloning or phishing should contact HCA by: 

• Visiting a HCA Income Support Division Office.
• Calling HCA Consolidated Customer Service at 1.800.283.4465, 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. 
• Reporting the benefits theft online at www.yes.state.nm.us ,  

HCA recommends SNAP customers report the fraud to local law enforcement. 

HCA urges all SNAP customers to be alert when using their EBT card.

Here are tips on how to avoid card skimmers and card theft:

• Protect your EBT card. Keep it in a safe place and don’t write your PIN on your card or card sleeve. Never share your card or PIN with others.    
• Manage your EBT card with Fidelity Information Services (FIS) by calling 1.800.843.8303, www.ebtEDGE.com or on the ebtEDGE mobile app:
  • Review your purchases and check your EBT card balance regularly.  
  • Change your PIN at least once a month. Please avoid using common card PIN numbers.    
  • Freeze and unfreeze your EBT card or to request a new card.    
• HCA or FIS will never reach out by phone, text or email to ask for your card number or PIN.    
• If you see suspicious activity or see something unusual at a card reader, report it to the retailer immediately.    
• When you’re at a store always look at the card reader before swiping your EBT card to see if anything looks unusual. Parts can be added to the readers that steal your information.    
• Review information about skimming on the FBI web page. Skimming is the term used to describe devices being put on card readers to steal your information.