Virginia rolls out more secure EBT cards to curb SNAP benefit theft

By: Markus Schmidt

Outlets: Virginia Mercury

Published: September 11, 2026

Words: 752

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 3 days ago

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Virginia is replacing traditional food-assistance benefit cards with chip-enabled versions designed to make it harder for thieves to steal SNAP benefits from families. About 749,000 state residents receive assistance through the program.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced Thursday that the state has begun mailing new Electronic Benefits Transfer cards equipped with chip-and-tap technology to households enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The change is aimed at combating “skimming,” in which criminals …

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