Were your EBT benefits stolen between January 1, 2021, and September 30, 2022? Starting July 3rd, visit myMDTHINK.maryland.gov or your nearest local Department of Social Services to submit a claim to recover your stolen benefits. If you already filed a claim that was denied because your benefits were stolen before October 1, 2022, you do not need to file again. DHS will review and reimburse your newly eligible claims automatically. Please check this webpage regularly for the latest updates.
¿Le robaron sus beneficios de la tarjeta EBT entre el 1 de enero de 2021 y el 30 de septiembre de 2022? A partir del 3 de julio, visite myMDTHINK.maryland.gov o su Departamento de Servicios Social local y presente una reclamación para recuperar sus beneficios robados. Si ya presentó una reclamación y le fue denegada porque el fraude con la tarjeta EBT ocurrió antes del 1 de octubre de 2022, usted no tiene que presentar otra reclamación. El DHS revisará y le reembolsará automáticamente sus reclamaciones ahora elegibles. Por favor visite este sitio web con frecuencia para para encontrar la información más reciente.
How To Get Back Stolen Benefits:
To get reimbursed for benefits stolen from your EBT account, simply:
Type your name on the signature line of the form and click the submit button
Please note the following deadlines:
My Benefits Were Stolen
Last Day to File A Claim
Oct. 1, 2022 – Feb. 28, 2023
May 31, 2023
On or after March 1, 2023
45 days from the date you discovered your benefits were stolen
My Benefits Were Stolen
Oct. 1, 2022 – Feb. 28, 2023
On or after March 1, 2023
Last Day to File A Claim
May 31, 2023
45 days from the date you discovered your benefits were stolen
Your benefits will be replaced in 15 days or sooner. We are standing by and ready to help anyone who needs assistance submitting a claim form. For questions about Maryland’s simple, seamless, and swift reimbursement process, or to check the status of a pending claim, call our dedicated hotline at 1-833-330-7328.
For assistance completing a new claim form over the phone, please call one of our SNAP Community Partner Organizations:
Community Outreach & Development for Prince George’s County (English, Spanish). Call (301) 735-0121
Community Engagement & Consultation Group for the Laurel, Anne Arundel, Howard area (English, Spanish and Farsi). Call (301) 525-8807
LifeStyles of Maryland for Southern Maryland (English, Spanish). Call (301) 609-9900
Maryland Hunger Solutions for Statewide (English, Spanish). Call (866) 821-5552
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) theft occurs when Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or cash assistance benefits are used without the permission of the cardholder. Thieves use technology to steal EBT card information, replicate, and use the cards without the rightful owner’s knowledge. If you did not receive your benefits this month, but your case is still active, it is possible that your benefits may have been deposited on your card but, subsequently, stolen electronically.
If you suspect that your EBT card has been used by someone without your permission, please follow these steps immediately:
Click the “Report an EBT Fraud” button on the top right-hand corner of the screen and follow the instructions to complete and submit the form online. If you are not able to submit the form online, you may submit a paper application in-person at your nearest Local Department of Social Services.
You may be eligible to recover up to two times your monthly allotment of benefits stolen from your EBT card account. First, you will need to fill out the EBT Fraud Attestation Claim form to determine if you are eligible to recover benefits. Please note that federal rules exclude the replacement of Pandemic-EBT benefits (P-EBT).
We will contact you within 15 days with a decision about your claim. You will receive a decision from us in writing, explaining if you were approved or denied. If you disagree with our decision, you have the right to appeal. You can also call our EBT Fraud Hotline at 1-833-330-7328 to ask any questions or receive an update about the status of your claim.
According to federal and state rules, the maximum amount you can receive in a single reimbursement is up to two times your regular monthly SNAP and/or cash allotment, even if the amount that was stolen is greater. You can only receive two reimbursements in a federal fiscal year (every federal fiscal year is October 1st – September 30th).
You may be eligible for a replacement of food and/or cash benefits if your benefits were stolen on or after October 1, 2022. Benefits stolen before this date cannot be replaced. The deadline to submit your claim is May 31, 2023.
If your benefits were stolen on or after March 1, 2023, you must submit an EBT Fraud Attestation Claim form within 45 days of becoming aware of the theft.
No, you do not have to file a police report to be eligible for the replacement of your stolen EBT benefits. However, we encourage you to file a police report because it may help our department and law enforcement officials find and prosecute the theft from your EBT card.
Anyone who believes that food and/or cash benefits were stolen from their EBT card is encouraged to request the replacement of stolen benefits using our EBT Fraud Attestation Claim form. However, benefits stolen by someone who you willingly gave your card and PIN to will not be replaced.
Use the EBT Fraud Attestation Claim form to report the theft of your benefits. If you choose to file a police report, the information will be reported to DHS. This information will also be used by the Maryland Office of the Inspector General to investigate your claim.
If you have already ordered a replacement EBT card, your replacement benefits will go on the new EBT card. If not, please follow the steps below to order a new EBT card:
Call the MD EBT Customer Call Center at 1-800-997-2222
ConnectEBT Mobile APP: Download the app on your smartphone or tablet’s App store to see your SNAP balance and recent transactions, or to order a new card.
A new card will be mailed to you within 10 days. You may also pick up a card at any of our local Department of Social Services.
There are several ways to submit a claim to recover your stolen food or cash benefits. You can submit an EBT claim form online in English or Spanish using your mymdthink.maryland.gov account, or submit a paper claim form in person or by mail to your Local Department of Social Services. Customers who are not able to submit an online or paper claim form on their own may call the Maryland Benefits Center operated by Benefits Data Trust (BDT) at 1-833-373-5867. BDT is a leading SNAP Outreach Partner and is open Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
At this time, DHS is authorized to replace benefits that were stolen through electronic means. We cannot replace your benefits if you willingly gave your EBT card and Personal Identification Number (PIN) to someone who then stole your benefits. If you lose your EBT card, you should request a new card and PIN by using your mymdthink.maryland.gov account or contacting your Local Department of Social Services in person or by phone. The state will not be able to reimburse claims submitted more than 45 days after becoming aware of the theft.
We will review your submitted EBT fraud claim within 15 days. After the review is completed, we will notify you by mail and email (if you applied online) that your claim is either approved or denied. We may contact you if we need additional information to review your claim.
If your fraud claim is denied, you can request a “Fair Hearing”. Your Fair Hearing Request form will be submitted to the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). OAH will notify you of the appointed date and time of the hearing to review your complaint.
Click here to get the Fair Hearing Request Form online. You can also call 1-800-332-6347 or visit any Local Department of Social Services to request a Fair Hearing form. You may also fax a completed Fair Hearing Form to 410-229-4266.
If you are eligible for reimbursement, your replacement benefits will be issued on your new EBT card issued to you after the reported theft. If you have already ordered a replacement EBT card your reimbursed benefits will go on that EBT card.
If you need emergency food assistance because your benefits were stolen, click here to find the nearest food pantry. Food pantries provide emergency food assistance that you and your family may rely on until you regain access to your EBT benefits.
DHS is working with local and federal law enforcement agencies to investigate EBT Fraud. Our cooperation with law enforcement officials will continue until your issue has been resolved.
Tips for Protecting Your EBT Card
Benefits fraud is on the rise in Maryland and other states. DHS urges families and adults who receive food and cash assistance on an EBT card to take extra care to protect their benefits. Thieves use illegal electronic devices to ‘skim’ or ‘clone’ EBT cards. The stolen information is then used to withdraw cash or make purchases without the permission of the rightful card owners. Here are some tips to help you protect food and cash benefits on your EBT card.
Change your Personal Identification Number (PIN) often. You can do that today by calling the number on the back of your EBT card. You can also change your PIN online at www.connectebt.com/mdebtclient.
If your benefits were stolen, call your local Department of Social Services to ‘freeze’ the use of your card. This will prevent your card from being used for new unauthorized transactions.
If your card has been stolen or lost, call the Maryland EBT Customer Call Center at 1-800-997-2222 to order a replacement card. When activating the replacement card, please be sure to create a new PIN. Do not reuse your old PIN.
Immediately report any EBT fraud to your local police department and submit a copy of the police report to your Local Department of Social Services. We do not require you to file a police report to receive replacement benefits. If you chose to file a police report, it might help us to have the claim number.
Stay up to date with the federal USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service’s SNAP SCAM Alerts.
Click this link for additional steps that you can take to protect your EBT and other bank cards.
Tips to Keep Your Card from Being Skimmed
Follow these guidelines every time you use your card.
Do a quick scan. Before using any machine, look to make sure that someone hasn’t tampered with it. Don’t insert or swipe your card If the card reader seems loose, crooked, or damaged; if the graphics aren’t aligned; or if part of the machine is a different color. If there is another machine nearby (such as two ATMs next to each other) compare them to see if there are obvious differences. For example, if one machine has a flashing slot to insert your card and the other doesn’t, that may be an indication that there is something wrong.
Avoid using non-bank ATMs. These are usually cash-dispensing machines and tend to be located in convenience stores, bars, restaurants, grocery stores, or check-cashing establishments.
Check the keypad. If the numbers are hard to press or feel thick, the ATM might have a false keypad installed and you should find another machine.
Block your PIN. When entering your PIN, cover the keypad with your other hand in case a camera is recording your number.
Use a mobile wallet. An alternative to swiping your card is paying by mobile wallet apps such as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, or Google Pay. This form of payment is secure because your credit card information is tokenized and rendered useless if a thief were to get a hold of it.
Pay inside. If your local gas station hasn’t yet updated its pumps to use mobile wallets or you aren’t sure if the machine is safe to use, go inside the service station to pay. Taking an extra minute to walk inside could save you a whole load of problems later on.
Stay in public view. Always try to use machines that are in public view with security monitoring – these machines are less likely to be tampered with. For additional protection, use a machine inside the store or an ATM inside your bank.
Check your account regularly. Rather than wait for your monthly statement, check your account regularly using online and mobile banking. This way, if anything were to happen, you can catch it immediately and report it to the bank or local credit union where your accounts are.
Above all, trust your instincts. If you suspect foul play, or if you’re in doubt about the authenticity of a machine, use a different machine or payment method.
Emergency Food and Cash Resources
If you need emergency food, help to pay utility bills, or rental assistance while your EBT Fraud claim is being processed, please visit:
For additional support, contact USDA’s Hunger Hotline. The Hunger Hotline connects callers with emergency food providers in their community, government assistance programs, and various social services. 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (for Spanish) Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET.
You may also visit the Local Department of Social Services nearest to you to ask about emergency rental assistance and other resources available in your local community.
You can access more details about your SNAP and Cash benefits online at your convenience at mymdthink.maryland.gov.
