Salem, Oregon – A bipartisan group of lawmakers is moving to overhaul security protections for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits after millions of dollars meant for groceries were siphoned off by criminals.
U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, Bill Cassidy and John Fetterman have introduced the Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act, a bicameral proposal aimed at stopping hackers and scammers from stealing food assistance through outdated electronic benefit transfer cards. In the House, Reps. Dan Goldman and Mike Lawler are leading the effort.
The push comes after years of concern over SNAP cards that still rely on magnetic stripes — technology widely viewed as easy to clone. While credit and debit cards have largely shifted to secure chips, many SNAP recipients continue to use cards that lack those protections. Lawmakers say that gap has left low-income families exposed.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s inspector general projected that $555 million in SNAP funds could be at risk of theft in the coming years if stronger cybersecurity rules are not adopted. Tens of millions of dollars have already been stolen, according to lawmakers, often through skimming schemes that quietly drain accounts meant to buy groceries.
Wyden argued that families relying on food assistance should not face weaker protections simply because of their income. Fetterman said SNAP supports nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians and stressed that safeguarding benefits is part of delivering help effectively. Cassidy joined the bipartisan call to modernize the system, framing the issue as a matter of protecting vulnerable households from fraud.
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The legislation would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture to issue updated cybersecurity regulations requiring anti-fraud technology capable of resisting cloning and protecting online SNAP transactions. Those standards would be reviewed and refreshed every five years to keep pace with advances in payment security.
Under the proposal, states would begin issuing chip-enabled SNAP cards within two years after the new rules take effect. Within four years, states would be barred from issuing new magnetic-stripe-only cards, and within five years, all remaining magnetic cards would need to be replaced.
The bill also includes a federal grant program to help small grocery stores, farmers markets and retailers in food deserts upgrade their payment machines to accept chip cards. In addition, states would be required to provide replacement SNAP cards at no cost within three days if a card is stolen, cloned or malfunctions. States would also need to offer accessible tools — such as smartphone apps or voice services — so families can monitor and manage their accounts.
The proposal has drawn support from food banks, anti-hunger groups, retailers and taxpayer advocates. Industry representatives said modernizing EBT technology would protect both recipients and public funds. Anti-hunger organizations called the measure a common-sense step to ensure food benefits reach the families they are meant to help.
Supporters say the measure underscores a rare point of agreement in Congress: protecting access to food assistance should not be a partisan fight, but a shared responsibility.
