Summary
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This collection is a revision of a currently approved collection. This information collection announces the intent of the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to revise and report on the activities associated with the replacement of multiple Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, as well as the monitoring and notices associated with excessive requests for replacement SNAP EBT cards.
Request for Comments
Written comments must be received on or before May 11, 2026.
Comments may be sent to Maribelle Balbes, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1320 Braddock Place, 5th Floor, Alexandria, VA 22314, or (703) 605-4272. Comments may also be submitted via email to snapsab@usda.gov. Comments will also be accepted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to Regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comments electronically. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All comments will become a matter of public record.
Abstract
Per federal regulations at 274.6(b)(6), state agencies are required to monitor EBT card replacement requests and send notices to the household upon their fourth request for a replacement card within a 12-month period. Upon requesting the fourth replacement card, state agencies are required to send a notice to the household specifying the number of cards requested over what period of time, an explanation of what is considered misuse or fraudulent use of their benefits, and that their account is being monitored for potential trafficking activity.
State agencies also have the option to withhold the replacement card if the household has reached the excessive card replacement threshold set by the state agency. The threshold set by the state agency must not be less than four cards within a 12-month period. Per federal regulations at 7 CFR 274.6(b)(5), state agencies have the option to require that a household member contact the state agency to explain the reason for requesting a new EBT card if the state agency determines that the requests are excessive. State agencies must notify the household in writing when they reach their replacement card threshold. The state agency will withhold the replacement card until the household provides an explanation by contacting the state agency. If fraud is suspected, the state agency will refer the household for investigation and, when deemed necessary, provide written notification to the household.