How to Replace an Alabama EBT Card and Change Your PIN

If you live in Alabama and use an EBT card for SNAP (food assistance) or cash benefits, it’s important to know what to do if your card is lost, stolen, damaged, or if you simply need to change your PIN.

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains the typical steps to:

• Report a missing or damaged Alabama EBT card
• Request a replacement EBT card
• Change or reset your EBT PIN
• Understand timelines, ID checks, and scam prevention

HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government office and cannot issue, replace, or manage EBT cards or PINs. The information below is to help you work with official Alabama agencies and hotlines.

Understanding Your Alabama EBT Card

An Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card works like a debit card. In Alabama, it is usually used for:

• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) – formerly “food stamps”
• Cash assistance programs (where available)

Each month, benefits are loaded onto your EBT card. You access them:

• At grocery stores and other approved retailers
• At ATMs, if you receive cash benefits and if your program allows this

Because the EBT card lets you access your benefits, keeping it safe and secure is critical. If the card is lost, stolen, or your PIN is known to someone else, you should act as soon as possible.

When You Should Replace Your Alabama EBT Card

You may need a replacement Alabama EBT card if:

• Your card is lost
• Your card is stolen
• Your card is damaged (cracked, unreadable, demagnetized, won’t swipe or insert)
• Your card never arrived in the mail after approval or renewal
• Your card stops working for no clear reason

In most situations, you’ll need to call the official EBT customer service number listed:

• On the back of your card (if you still have it), or
• On the Alabama EBT program’s official website, or
• Through information provided by your local Department of Human Resources (DHR) office

If you are not sure you have the correct number, you can ask your county DHR office or dial 2-1-1 to be directed toward state benefit information.

Step-by-Step: How to Replace an Alabama EBT Card

1. Call the Official Alabama EBT Customer Service Line

To replace your card, you typically must call the official EBT hotline. Most states, including Alabama, use a 24/7 automated system with the option to speak to a live representative.

Have this handy if possible:

• Your EBT card number (if the card is damaged but still in your possession)
• Your Social Security number (or the number you used when applying)
• Your date of birth
• Your address on file with your case

If you do not remember all of this, still call right away. The representative may ask additional questions to verify your identity.

2. Report the Card Lost, Stolen, or Damaged

When you call:

• Choose the option to report a lost, stolen, or damaged card
• Confirm that you want the old card cancelled

This step is crucial. Once your old card is cancelled:

• New purchases with that card will not go through
• Remaining benefits linked to your account should still be there
  (although any purchases already made with the old card generally cannot be reversed)

If you think someone may be using your card right now, mention it to the customer service representative while you are on the phone.

3. Request a Replacement Card by Mail

In most cases, the customer service line will:

• Cancel your current card
• Order a replacement to be mailed to the address on file

You may be asked to confirm:

• Your mailing address
• Your name as it appears on the case
• Your phone number for contact

If your address has changed, you may need to:

• Update your address with the county DHR office that manages your case
• Sometimes, verify your identity again before a card can be mailed to a new address

4. Ask How Long It Will Take

Processing times can vary, but typically:

• Replacement cards are mailed within a few days
• Delivery can take several business days, depending on the postal service

You can ask the representative:

• “How long should it take to get my replacement Alabama EBT card?”
• “Is there a way to check on the status if it does not arrive?”

If your card has not arrived within the timeframe they provide, you may need to call again or contact your local DHR office.

Can You Get an EBT Card in Person in Alabama?

Procedures can change over time and may vary by county. In some states, there are:

• Offices that can print EBT cards on-site
• Or offices that only mail replacement cards

For Alabama:

• Check with your local DHR office to see if same-day in-person replacement is possible in your county.
• If offered, you may need to bring photo ID and possibly other identifying details.

If your area does not offer in-person card printing, you will typically wait for the card by mail.

Typical Information You May Need for a Replacement

You may be asked to provide or confirm:

• Full name on the case
• Date of birth
• Social Security number (or alternate ID used at application)
• Case number (if you have it)
• Mailing address
• Possibly security questions or PIN-related questions

Having this information ready can speed up the process.

How to Change or Reset Your Alabama EBT PIN

Your PIN (Personal Identification Number) is the four-digit code that lets you use your EBT card at:

• Checkout keypads
• ATMs (if your benefits program allows ATM use)

You should change your PIN if:

• You forgot your PIN
• You think someone else knows your PIN
• Your card was lost or stolen (you will also need a new card)
• You received a new card that needs a new PIN set

1. Call the Official EBT Customer Service Number

To change your PIN, you normally:

1. Call the Alabama EBT customer service hotline (from the number on the back of your card or from official program materials).
2. Follow the prompts for “PIN change”, “PIN selection”, or “forgot PIN.”

Some systems are automated, while others may transfer you to a representative.

2. Verify Your Identity

The system or representative will often ask for:

• Your EBT card number
• Your date of birth
• The last four digits of your Social Security number (or alternate ID)
• Sometimes other case information used when you first set up your card

If you do not have your card number because the card is lost, you may need to speak to a live representative and go through additional identity checks.

3. Choose a New PIN

You will be prompted to enter a new four-digit PIN. For security:

• Avoid obvious numbers like 1234, 1111, or your birth year
• Do not use numbers you share often (like the PIN for your bank card)
• Do not write the PIN on the card or keep it in your wallet with the card

You may be asked to enter it twice to confirm.

Once changed:

• The new PIN is usually active immediately or within a short time
• You can then use your card with the new PIN at stores and compatible ATMs

What If You Forget Your PIN?

If you forget your PIN:

1. Call the official EBT hotline.
2. Choose the option for PIN reset or talk to a representative.
3. Verify your identity and create a new PIN.

If you enter the wrong PIN too many times in a row, your card may become temporarily locked. In many systems, it unlocks after a certain time or after a successful PIN reset, but if you are locked out, call the customer service line for guidance.

Replacement Card vs. PIN Change: At-a-Glance

Below is a simple comparison to help you decide which action you likely need:

Common Issues and How to Handle Them

1. Card Never Arrived After Approval or Renewal

If you were told your Alabama EBT card was mailed but it:

• Has not arrived after the typical mailing time, or
• Was returned to the office due to address problems

You may need to:

• Contact the EBT customer service line to check status
• Call or visit your local DHR office to confirm or update your address
• Ask if another card can be reissued

2. Benefits Missing After Card Misuse

If your card was stolen and someone used your benefits:

• You should still report it immediately to the EBT customer service line.
• Ask if there is a process for disputing transactions or reporting fraud.

However:

• In many systems, benefits already spent by someone using your card and PIN cannot be restored.
• Policies can be strict, so it is important to protect your card and PIN at all times.

For suspected fraud or identity theft, you can also ask your local DHR office if there is a fraud investigation unit or specific form.

3. Address or Name Change

If your mailing address or name has changed:

• Contact your county DHR office (the office that manages your benefits case).
• Ask how to update your case record.

Your EBT card is usually mailed to the address they have on file, so keeping this updated helps avoid lost or delayed cards.

Protecting Your Alabama EBT Card and PIN

Here are some practical ways to protect your benefits:

• Keep the card in a safe place, like a wallet you always carry.
• Memorize your PIN – do not write it on the card or keep it with the card.
• Do not share your PIN with friends, family, store clerks, or strangers.
• Shield the keypad when entering your PIN at a store or ATM.
• Only use your card at trusted, authorized retailers and ATMs.

If anyone pressures you to share your EBT card or PIN, or offers to buy your benefits, that can be against program rules and may lead to penalties or loss of benefits. When in doubt, talk to your local DHR office for clarification.

How to Make Sure You’re Using Official Channels

Because your EBT card gives access to your benefits, scammers sometimes try to trick people into sharing card numbers or PINs.

Use these tips to stay safe:

• Only call the number on the back of your EBT card or numbers listed by:
  • The Alabama Department of Human Resources
  • Your local county benefits office
• Be cautious of:
  • Texts, social media messages, or emails asking for your EBT number or PIN
  • People who promise extra benefits or faster service if you share your card details
• Official staff will not ask you to tell them your full PIN in a way that lets them use your card.

If you are unsure whether a message or call is real:

• Hang up and call the official EBT hotline yourself using a known number.
• Contact your local DHR office directly and describe what happened.

You can also dial 2-1-1 to get connected with general assistance information and verify how to reach official state benefit agencies.

Where to Get Help in Alabama

To replace an Alabama EBT card or change your PIN, you typically need to work with:

• The official Alabama EBT customer service hotline (for card and PIN actions)
• Your county Department of Human Resources (DHR) office (for address updates, case changes, or questions about your benefits)
• In some cases, an in-person benefits or EBT office if your area offers same-day card printing

HowToGetAssistance.org cannot access your case or make changes, but you can use the information here to:

1. Identify when you need a card replacement or PIN change.
2. Know what to have ready when you call or visit.
3. Understand typical timelines and what to expect from official staff.

If you act quickly when something goes wrong with your card or PIN, you can usually limit problems, protect your benefits, and get back to using your Alabama EBT card with minimal delay.