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DHS

DC will be under a COLD ALERT from 7 AM on Wed, 12/17 until 7 AM on Thu, 12/18. Visit cold.dc.gov for more
Protect Your Benefits! It's important to keep your EBT card safe. Learn more
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Protect Your Benefits

Protecting your public benefits is essential to ensuring you and your family can rely on them when you need them most. Your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card is the key to accessing programs like SNAP and TANF, making it a target for theft and fraud.  

By taking a few simple precautions, such as securing your PIN, monitoring your account, and using available security tools, you can safeguard your benefits and prevent unauthorized use.
 

Use ebtEDGE Card Security Features 

  • ebtEDGE is DC’s only official mobile app and website to get real time account information and access card security features 
    • The ebtEDGE mobile app is available through the App Store for iPhones here or Google Play for Android here 
    • The ebtEDGE Cardholder Portal is here 
  • Card security options can be added or removed in either the ebtEDGE mobile app or the Cardholder Portal on ebtedge.com to prevent unauthorized transactions 
    • You can freeze your card to prevent all transactions until you unfreeze it 
    • You can block all out of state and/or online transactions until you remove the block 


Secure Your PIN 

  • Change your PIN frequently 
    • For the best protection, change your PIN every month before benefits are issued 
  • Do not reuse any PIN that you used previously for the same card and do not use easy to guess PINS like 1111 or 1234 
  • Do not tell anyone your PIN, and do not write your PIN down anywhere 
  • If you think your card information was stolen, call FIS at 888-304-9167 to change your PIN to protect your benefits 


Protect Your Card 

  • If possible, only use your card in well lit, indoor locations 
  • Inspect the terminal before your inserting card 
    • Check the card reader for anything loose, crooked, damaged, or scratched, and pull at the edges of the keypad 
  • If anything is suspicious, do not use the machine 
    • Report it to the store immediately and also notify law enforcement 
  • Always cover the keypad when entering the PIN 
  • Find more information on how to recognize and report card skimming devices here 
     

Reporting Stolen Benefits 

To submit a claim for replacement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and/or other cash assistance benefits that were stolen from your EBT card due to illegal card skimming, cloning, or similar fraudulent methods, click here.