Two states have upgraded the security of their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cards that the federal government loads millions of dollars onto: California and Alabama.
Alabama upgraded its cards after it reported that criminals stole $15 million in SNAP benefits, while California tracked $41.8 million of SNAP fraud.
Alabama worked with Conduent Incorporated to introduce chip-enabled EBT cards designed to help prevent fraud.
The new cards, now mailed to EBT cardholders across the state, are expected to significantly enhance account security for beneficiaries, including those in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.
The upgraded cards are part of a push from U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to reform the food allowed in the SNAP program.
The new, REAL FOOD Dietary Guidelines are here, paving the way for healthier choices and real wins across America. 🎉
— Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) February 13, 2026
➡️ We are more than doubling stocking standards for SNAP retailers, unlocking more nutritious options at nearly 100,000 locations nationwide!
➡️ 18 states have… pic.twitter.com/YKkgT3FNTi
Following a successful pilot, we’re collaborating with the Alabama Department of HR to launch chip-enabled #EBT cards, enhancing security for #SNAP and #TANF users. Alabama is the 1st Conduent-supported state and the 2nd nationwide to adopt this tech. https://t.co/t6W6vzQQHD pic.twitter.com/0DYAbbJC9L
— Conduent (@Conduent) February 13, 2026
State officials welcomed the security upgrade.
“I am so pleased to finally bring this instrumental change to our EBT cardholders statewide,” Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner said in a news release. “After a successful pilot program, we have shown that these new cards are easy to use and offer much better protection for the benefits. I am pleased that with this chip technology upgrade, our clients can have more confidence that their benefits will be there when they purchase groceries. This is not the end; we will continue to work and develop new and innovative ways to better protect our clients and their benefits.”
Michigan, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, and Massachusetts have started transitioning to chipped cards.
“We are honored to help Alabama DHR lead the way in giving their beneficiaries this critically important tool to protect their accounts and funds,” said Anna Sever, President, Government Solutions at Conduent. “Transitioning to chip technology is a proven fraud-prevention strategy. Chip cards are widely used across the country for other types of accounts, and EBT payments deserve the same level of security.”
The federal government loads SNAP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits onto these cards.
Nationwide, criminals have stolen $322 million worth of SNAP benefits by installing fake skimmers to steal card information. Other criminals bribe federal or state officials to help steal benefits.
