How to Replace a Colorado EBT Card and Change Your PIN

If you use an EBT card in Colorado for programs like SNAP (Food Assistance) or cash assistance, losing your card or needing a new PIN can be stressful. This guide walks through how people in Colorado typically:

• Replace a lost, stolen, or damaged EBT card
• Change or reset an EBT PIN
• Protect benefits and avoid scams

HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only. It does not issue EBT cards, manage benefits, or take applications. To get a new card or PIN, you must go through official Colorado EBT and county offices.

Understanding Your Colorado EBT Card

A Colorado EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card is a plastic card that works like a debit card. It is usually used for:

• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits
• Colorado Works / cash assistance and some other cash programs

Your benefits are loaded to the card each month by the state. The card and PIN are how you access your benefits.

If your card is lost, stolen, damaged, or not working, or if your PIN is compromised, you are responsible for reporting it quickly to help protect your benefits.

When You Should Replace Your Colorado EBT Card

You might need a replacement EBT card if:

• The card is lost and you cannot find it
• The card is stolen or used without your permission
• The card is cracked, bent, or doesn’t swipe or insert properly
• The printed name or number is worn off
• You never received your original card or a replacement that was mailed

In Colorado, EBT customer service and your county human services department both play a role. Typically:

• You report the problem and cancel the old card through the EBT customer service number
• A replacement card is mailed or, in some cases, you may be able to pick one up at a county office (varies by county)

Step-by-Step: How to Replace a Colorado EBT Card

1. Call the Official Colorado EBT Customer Service Number

Look on:

• The back of your current EBT card (if you still have it)
• Official Colorado materials you received when you first got benefits
• The Colorado PEAK or equivalent official benefits portal, or your county human services website

You will be asked to confirm identity details, such as:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Address
• Last 4 digits of Social Security number (if you have one on file)
• Possibly your EBT card number, if available

💡 Tip: Call as soon as you realize the card is missing; benefits used before you report it may not be replaced.

2. Ask to Cancel the Old Card and Issue a Replacement

During the call, clearly say you need to:

• Report your card lost, stolen, or damaged
• Cancel the card so nobody else can use it
• Request a replacement EBT card

The representative will usually:

• Deactivate your existing card
• Confirm your mailing address
• Tell you how long it should take for your new card to arrive
• Explain whether any replacement fee applies (some states charge a small fee; policies can change, so ask directly)

3. Confirm Your Mailing Address

Make sure the mailing address on file is correct:

• If you moved recently, ask whether the EBT customer service can update your address
• In some cases, they may direct you to your county human services office to update the address first

Wrong addresses are a common reason people never receive replacement cards.

4. Ask About Pickup Options (If You Need It Faster)

In some Colorado counties, you may be able to:

• Pick up a replacement card in person at a county human services office

This varies by county and by current policies. When you call:

• Ask, “Is in-person pickup available in my county?”
• If yes, ask what identification or documents you need to bring

How Long Does It Take to Get a Replacement Colorado EBT Card?

Timeframes can vary, but people often experience:

*These are general experiences; your timing may differ. Ask EBT customer service or your county office what to expect in your specific situation.

If your card does not arrive within the timeframe you were told:

1. Call the Colorado EBT customer service again to check status.
2. Confirm your address is correct.
3. Ask if another replacement is needed.

How to Change or Reset Your Colorado EBT PIN

Your PIN (Personal Identification Number) is a 4-digit code you use at the store or ATM to access EBT benefits. You may want to change your PIN if:

• You forgot it
• Someone else knows it
• You think your account might be compromised
• You simply want a more secure number

Common Ways to Change a Colorado EBT PIN

Colorado typically allows PIN changes through:

1. Automated phone system (most common)
2. In some cases, at a county human services office kiosk or front desk
3. By contacting EBT customer service and following their instructions

Method 1: Change Your PIN by Phone

Use the official EBT customer service number (usually the same number on the back of the card). Follow the prompts for “PIN change” or “PIN reset.”

You’ll usually need to:

• Enter or say your EBT card number
• Confirm some identity information
• Choose a new 4-digit PIN

✅ Best practices for your new PIN:

• Avoid obvious sequences (1234, 1111, 0000)
• Avoid your birth year or other easy-to-guess numbers
• Do not share your PIN with anyone (even store employees or people claiming to be from the state)

Method 2: Change Your PIN In Person

Some Colorado counties may let you:

• Change your PIN at the county human services office using a machine or with staff assistance

Call your county human services department first and ask:

• Whether in-person PIN changes are available
• Whether you need to bring ID and which documents are accepted

Common IDs include:

• Colorado driver’s license or ID card
• Passport
• Other government-issued photo ID

What If You Forgot Your PIN?

If you forget your EBT PIN:

1. Call the Colorado EBT customer service hotline.
2. Use the automated system or speak with a representative to reset your PIN.
3. You may need to verify your identity (similar to when replacing a card).

You do not usually need a new card just because you forgot your PIN; you can usually set a new PIN for your existing card.

Protecting Your Benefits While Waiting for a New Card

While your card is missing or compromised:

• Report it immediately to reduce the chance someone else uses your benefits
• Check your balance and recent transactions using the official phone system or benefits portal
• Monitor for suspicious activity, such as purchases from places you did not go

If you see transactions you did not make:

• Tell the EBT customer service representative
• Ask what steps are available to dispute or report fraud in Colorado
• In some situations, you may also be advised to report to your county office or local law enforcement

Policies about replacing stolen benefits can change, and some losses may not be reimbursed. The official agencies can explain current rules.

Common Problems and How to Handle Them

1. Card Never Arrived in the Mail

If you were told your card was mailed but you never got it:

• Confirm your mailing address with EBT customer service
• Ask if the card was returned to sender or marked as delivered
• Ask if they can cancel that card and mail a new one or allow in-person pickup, if available

You may also want to check with your local post office or building management if your mail is often delayed or misplaced.

2. Card Is Damaged or Won’t Swipe/Read

If your card is:

• Bent, cracked, or worn
• Not being read by the chip reader or magnetic strip readers

You can:

1. Call the EBT customer service number to report a damaged card.
2. Ask for a replacement.
3. Keep the damaged card until you receive the new one (in case you need any information from it).

3. You Suspect Someone Knows Your PIN

If you think someone knows your PIN:

• Change your PIN immediately using the phone system
• If your physical card is missing or may have been copied, also report the card as stolen and request a replacement
• Review your recent transactions through the official channels and report anything suspicious

How to Contact the Right Office in Colorado

Because exact contact details can change, the safest approach is to:

1. Use the number on the back of your EBT card for customer service and PIN changes.
2. If you do not have the card:
   • Visit the official State of Colorado human services or SNAP website by typing it in your browser, not by clicking ads.
   • Look for the section about “EBT”, “Colorado Quest Card”, or “SNAP/EBT Customer Service.”
3. To speak with someone locally:
   • Contact your county human services or social services department.
   • Search for your county name plus “human services” or “department of human services” and verify it is an official government site (usually ending in “.gov” or clearly showing county government branding).

You can also dial 211 in many parts of Colorado to get referral information for local human services offices. 211 operators are not EBT managers but can often help direct you to the correct agency.

Documents and Information You May Need

When dealing with a replacement card or PIN change, it helps to have:

• Your name exactly as it appears on your case
• Your date of birth
• The last 4 digits of your Social Security number (if on file)
• Your current address and phone number
• Your EBT card number, if available
• A photo ID if you go to a county office in person

Not every situation requires every document, but having them ready can speed things up.

Avoiding EBT Scams and Fake Websites

Because EBT benefits are valuable, scams are common. To protect yourself:

• Do not give your PIN to anyone over the phone or online, including people who say they are from the government
• Do not respond to texts or emails asking for your card number or PIN
• Use only:
  • The official EBT customer service number
  • The official Colorado benefits portal or county websites
• Look for signs of fake websites:
  • Strange web addresses not clearly linked to the State of Colorado or county government
  • Pages that promise “instant approval”, “extra benefits”, or ask you to pay a fee to keep or increase benefits

If you are unsure whether you’re on an official site:

• Call your county human services office directly using a phone number you look up yourself
• Ask them to verify the correct EBT phone number or website address

Remember, HowToGetAssistance.org is not an official Colorado EBT site and cannot access your case or card. Use it only as a guide to understand the usual process.

By using the official Colorado EBT customer service line and, when needed, your county human services office, you can usually:

• Report a lost, stolen, or damaged card
• Get a replacement EBT card
• Change or reset your PIN
• Protect your food and cash assistance benefits

Taking action quickly is the best way to keep your benefits secure and get back to using your Colorado EBT card with as little interruption as possible.