How to Replace a Delaware EBT Card and Change Your PIN

If you live in Delaware and use an EBT card for SNAP food benefits or cash assistance, it’s important to know how to:

• Replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Delaware EBT card, and
• Change or reset your EBT PIN (Personal Identification Number).

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains the typical steps and options, and points you toward official state channels where you can actually complete these actions. This site does not process replacements, PIN changes, or any benefits—we only provide general guidance.

Understanding Your Delaware EBT Card

A Delaware EBT card works like a debit card for eligible benefits, such as:

• SNAP (food stamps)
• TANF or other cash assistance, if you qualify

You usually swipe or insert the card and enter your 4‑digit PIN to pay for food at participating stores, or withdraw cash (if you receive cash benefits) at ATMs or retailers that allow it.

Because your PIN protects your benefits, treating your card and PIN safely is just as important as knowing how to replace or reset them.

When You Should Replace Your Delaware EBT Card

You should request a replacement Delaware EBT card if any of the following happens:

• The card is lost and you cannot find it.
• The card is stolen.
• The card is damaged (cracked, unreadable stripe or chip, not working in machines).
• The card number may be compromised (for example, you shared photos of the card or suspect skimming).

It’s generally recommended to act quickly, especially if the card is lost or stolen. Benefits used before you report the card missing are often not replaced, so reporting right away can help protect what is left on the card.

How to Replace a Delaware EBT Card

In Delaware, replacement EBT cards are usually handled through the state’s EBT customer service line and/or your local benefits office (Department of Health and Social Services or similar agency).

You typically have three main options to start a replacement:

1. Call the EBT Customer Service Number (Most Common)

On the back of your EBT card, there is a toll‑free customer service number. If you lost your card and don’t have the number:

• Look for “Delaware EBT customer service” or “Delaware EBT card replacement phone number” through a search engine.
• Make sure you are viewing an official government or EBT program site, not a private company asking for fees.

When you call:

1. Follow the automated menu (there is usually a “lost or stolen card” option).
2. Be ready to provide:
   • Your EBT card number, if you have it.
   • Your name as it appears on your case.
   • Your date of birth.
   • Possibly your Social Security number (last 4 digits) or other identifying details.
3. Tell them you need to report the card lost, stolen, or damaged and request a replacement card.
4. Confirm your mailing address on file so the new card is sent to the correct place.

📝 Tip: If you think someone else might try to use your card, choose the options to cancel the old card immediately during the call.

2. Contact Your Local Delaware Benefits Office

Some people prefer to speak with a caseworker or local office:

• Locate your local Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) office or Division of Social Services (DSS) office.
• You can usually find addresses and phone numbers on Delaware’s official state benefits website, or by calling 211 for general information and referrals.

At the office or over the phone with your worker, you can:

• Ask for help reporting the card lost/stolen/damaged.
• Confirm that a new card has been ordered.
• Update your address if needed so you receive the card.

3. Use the Official Online EBT Portal (If Available)

Delaware may offer an online EBT account portal where you can:

• View balances and recent transactions.
• Sometimes report a card lost or stolen.
• Manage contact information.

If Delaware supports replacement requests online:

1. Create or log in to your official EBT account.
2. Look for a link or button such as “Report Lost/Stolen Card” or “Replace Card”.
3. Follow the prompts and double‑check your mailing address.

✅ Always make sure you are using an official state or EBT‑branded website. The web address should clearly relate to Delaware’s government or the national EBT system, and should not ask for fees to replace your card.

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

Timeframes can vary, but many states use similar timelines. For Delaware, you can ask the customer service representative or your local office what to expect. Common patterns include:

• Mail delivery: Often 5–10 business days from the date the card is ordered.
• Expedited replacement: Some states offer faster shipping in certain urgent situations, but this is not always available.
• In‑person pickup: In some areas, a local office may be able to issue a card on‑site. This is not guaranteed and depends on local procedures.

You will typically need to choose or reset a PIN for the new card before you can use it (explained later in this guide).

Will My Benefits Transfer to the New Card?

Your benefits are tied to your EBT account, not to the plastic card itself. When you receive a replacement:

• Any remaining SNAP or cash balance is usually automatically available on the new card once it is activated.
• Past transactions will not carry over, but the current balance should.

However, benefits that were used by someone else before you reported the card lost or stolen are usually not reimbursed. Policies can vary, so if you believe there has been fraud or a mistake, ask the official hotline or your local office about:

• How to report suspicious transactions, and
• Whether there is a dispute or fraud claim process.

How to Change or Reset Your Delaware EBT PIN

Your PIN (Personal Identification Number) is the 4‑digit code you enter at the store or ATM. You should change your PIN if:

• You think someone else may know it.
• You lost your card and then find it later.
• You receive a new replacement card.
• You forgot your PIN and keep entering it incorrectly.

Usually, Delaware EBT users have three main ways to change or set a PIN:

1. Change Your PIN by Phone

This is the most common method:

1. Call the EBT customer service number (printed on the back of your card or available from official state sources).
2. Follow the prompts for:
   • “Select or change PIN” or
   • “PIN services”.
3. Verify your identity, which may include:
   • Card number.
   • Date of birth.
   • The last 4 digits of your Social Security number or other data.
4. Enter a new 4‑digit PIN when prompted.
5. Re‑enter the PIN to confirm.

🔑 Security tip:
Avoid obvious PINs like 1234, 0000, or your birth year. Choose something you can remember but is hard for others to guess, and don’t write it directly on your card.

2. Change Your PIN Through an Online EBT Account (If Available)

If Delaware supports online PIN management:

1. Log in to your official EBT account portal.
2. Look for the PIN change section.
3. Follow the instructions to verify your identity and create a new PIN.

If you do not see a PIN option, you may need to call customer service instead.

3. Change Your PIN In Person at a Local Office (Where Offered)

Some local Delaware offices may:

• Have PIN selection machines, or
• Allow staff to help you call the EBT system from the office to change your PIN.

If you prefer this option:

• Call your local DHSS/DSS office ahead of time.
• Ask if they can help you set or change your EBT PIN in person.
• Bring your EBT card and photo ID, just in case it is requested.

Common Situations and What to Do

Here is a quick comparison of typical situations, who to contact, and what usually happens:

What You May Need When Calling or Visiting

To speed up card replacement or PIN changes, it helps to have:

• Your EBT card number (if you still have the old card).
• Your full name and possibly case number, if you know it.
• Your date of birth.
• The last four digits of your Social Security number, if requested.
• Your current mailing address and phone number.

If you visit a local office, also consider bringing:

• A photo ID (such as a driver’s license, state ID, or other accepted identification).
• Any letters you have received about your Delaware benefits.

Different offices may have slightly different requirements, so if you are unsure, call ahead and ask what to bring to handle an EBT card issue.

Fees, Limits, and Replacement Rules

Policies can change, but many EBT programs follow similar rules. Delaware may have:

• No fee for the first replacement within a certain time period.
• A small fee for multiple replacement cards in a short time.
• A limit on how many replacement cards you can receive in a month or year without additional review.

When you request a replacement, ask the representative:

• Is there a fee for this replacement?
• Will it affect my benefits in any way?
• Are there limits on how often I can replace my card?

Knowing this can help you plan ahead and avoid surprises.

If Your Card Does Not Arrive

If you requested a replacement and it doesn’t arrive within the expected timeframe:

1. Call the EBT customer service line and:
   • Confirm that the card was actually ordered.
   • Verify your mailing address is correct.
2. If the card was mailed to the wrong address or never arrived, ask:
   • If the original replacement can be canceled.
   • If a new card can be sent.

In some cases, you may be advised to visit a local office for further help, especially if there are address or identity questions.

Protecting Your Delaware EBT Card and PIN

To avoid repeated replacements and keep your benefits safe:

• Memorize your PIN and do not share it.
• Do not write the PIN on the card or keep it in the same wallet written on paper.
• Shield the keypad when entering your PIN at a store or ATM.
• Regularly check your balance and transactions through the hotline or official portal.
• Keep your mailing address updated with your local benefits office so new cards reach you.

If you see transactions you don’t recognize, report them to the EBT customer service line as soon as possible.

How to Make Sure You’re Using an Official Channel

Because EBT involves real money value, it can attract scams. To stay safe:

• Do not pay anyone to replace your Delaware EBT card or change your PIN.
  • Official replacement and PIN changes are typically free, except for limited situations where a small state‑approved fee may be charged.
• Only call numbers from:
  • The back of your EBT card,
  • Official Delaware state websites, or
  • Printed materials directly from your local benefits office.
• Be cautious about:
  • Texts, emails, or social media messages asking for your full card number and PIN.
  • Websites that ask you to “log in” with your full EBT card information but do not clearly belong to Delaware’s government or the official EBT system.
• If in doubt, you can:
  • Call your local Delaware DHSS/DSS office using a phone number you find in a directory or on official state materials.
  • Dial 211 to ask how to contact the official EBT customer service.

If You Still Have Questions or Run Into Problems

If you have trouble replacing your Delaware EBT card or changing your PIN:

• Contact your local benefits office and explain the issue. Ask to speak with someone familiar with EBT problems.
• Reach out to legal aid or local community organizations if you believe your benefits were wrongly reduced or denied due to card or PIN issues.
• Call 211 (in most areas) for referrals to food banks, emergency food resources, or other assistance if you cannot access your EBT benefits temporarily.

Remember, HowToGetAssistance.org is not an official agency and cannot view your case, replace your Delaware EBT card, or change your PIN. To take action, you will need to use the official Delaware EBT phone line, online portal, or local benefits office following the guidance above.