How to Replace an Indiana EBT Card and Change Your PIN

If you use an Indiana EBT card for SNAP (food stamps) or cash assistance and it’s lost, stolen, damaged, or you need a new PIN, there are clear steps you can take through official state systems.

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains how the process typically works in Indiana. This site is not a government agency and cannot issue or manage EBT cards. Instead, this article can help you understand what to expect and how to contact the correct official offices.

Understanding Your Indiana EBT Card

An Indiana Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card works like a debit card. Your SNAP and, in some cases, cash assistance benefits are loaded onto the card each month by the state.

You use the card at:

• Grocery stores and supermarkets that accept EBT
• Some farmers markets
• ATMs and some point-of-sale terminals (for cash benefits, if applicable)

Because the EBT card is how you access your benefits, it’s important to act quickly if it is:

• Lost
• Stolen
• Damaged / not working
• Compromised (you think someone else may know your PIN or has used your card)

When You Should Request a Replacement Card

You would typically request a replacement Indiana EBT card if:

• You cannot find your card and don’t know where it is
• You know the card was stolen
• The card is cracked, demagnetized, or unreadable by card readers
• The chip or magnetic strip does not work at multiple stores or ATMs
• You see transactions you don’t recognize and believe someone else has your card

⚠️ Important:
If your card is lost or stolen, report it immediately. In many cases, benefits already spent before you report the card missing cannot be replaced. Reporting quickly helps protect the remaining balance.

How to Replace an Indiana EBT Card

You cannot replace your EBT card through HowToGetAssistance.org. To get a new card, you must use official Indiana EBT systems or contact your local benefits office.

Most people in Indiana replace their EBT card through one of these options:

1. Call the Official Indiana EBT Customer Service Number

This is often the fastest and most direct way.

You will typically:

1. Call the official EBT customer service line listed on the back of your card or on Indiana’s official benefits website.
2. Choose the option to report a lost, stolen, or damaged card.
3. Provide requested information to verify your identity, such as:
   • Card number (if you have it)
   • Last 4 digits of your Social Security number
   • Date of birth
   • Mailing address on file
4. Confirm that you want the old card deactivated and a new card issued.
5. Ask how long it will take for the replacement card to arrive and if there is any replacement fee.

In many cases, a replacement card is mailed to the address on file. If your address has changed, you may be directed to contact your local county office or your caseworker to update your information before the card is sent.

2. Request a Replacement Through the Official Online Portal (If Available)

Indiana typically uses an online benefits portal where you can:

• View your case information
• Check some EBT details
• Possibly request a replacement card (depending on current system features)

Steps usually look like:

1. Go to Indiana’s official benefits website (not a third-party site).
2. Log in or create an account, using details that match your benefits case.
3. Look for an option like:
   • “EBT Card Services”
   • “Replace Card”
   • “Report Lost or Stolen Card”
4. Follow the instructions to confirm your identity and submit the replacement request.

If you have any trouble using the online portal, the official EBT phone line or your local county office can usually help.

3. Visit Your Local County Office (If Needed)

Some people prefer to handle replacement issues in person, especially if there are:

• Address changes
• Name changes
• Issues confirming identity
• Problems receiving mail

You can:

1. Contact your local county Division of Family Resources office (DFR) or the Indiana agency that handles SNAP and cash assistance.
2. Ask if they can help with EBT card replacements in person or if they will help you call the official EBT hotline from the office.
3. Bring photo ID and any documents that prove your identity and address.

Not every office can print or issue cards on the spot, so you may still receive your replacement by mail.

Typical Timeline and What to Expect

Once you report your card lost, stolen, or damaged and request a replacement, you can generally expect:

• The old card is deactivated to protect your balance
• A new card is printed and mailed to the address on file
• Delivery often takes several business days (timeframes can vary)

Some people may receive:

• A temporary card (in limited situations, if an office offers this)
• Instructions to wait for the mailed card

If you do not receive your replacement card within the timeframe the hotline or office told you, contact:

• The EBT customer service line again
• Or your local county office to confirm your address and ask for a status update

How to Change Your Indiana EBT PIN

Your PIN (Personal Identification Number) is what keeps your benefits secure. You should change your EBT PIN if:

• You forgot it
• You think someone else might know it
• You notice unusual or unauthorized transactions
• You just want to update it regularly for security

There are two common ways to change your Indiana EBT PIN:

1. Change Your PIN by Phone

This is often the most common method.

Typically, you would:

1. Call the official Indiana EBT customer service number printed on the back of your card.
2. Choose the option for PIN services (change or select PIN).
3. Enter:
   • Your EBT card number
   • Sometimes the last 4 digits of your Social Security number
   • Other requested verification details
4. Follow the prompts to select a new 4-digit PIN.

✅ Tip:
Choose a PIN that is easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess. Avoid:

• 0000
• 1234
• Your birth year
• Simple repeating patterns like 1111 or 2222

2. Change Your PIN Through the Official Portal or EBT Website (If Offered)

In some states, EBT cardholders can manage their PIN online through an official EBT website or app. Availability can change, so:

1. Visit the official Indiana EBT or benefits portal (make sure it’s a government site).
2. Log into your account with your username and password, if required.
3. Look for EBT or card management options, such as:
   • “Change PIN”
   • “Manage Card”
4. Follow the prompts to set a new PIN.

If you’re not sure the website is official, you can:

• Call the EBT customer service line and ask them to confirm the correct website
• Look for a “.gov” address and state branding

Lost PIN vs. Lost Card: What’s the Difference?

Here’s a quick comparison of what to do depending on your situation.

Documents and Information You May Need

When requesting a replacement Indiana EBT card or changing your PIN, you may be asked to provide:

• Your full name
• Your EBT card number (if available)
• Your case number (if you know it)
• Date of birth
• Last 4 digits of your Social Security number
• Your mailing address on file with the state
• Possibly security questions you set up previously

If your address or name has changed, you may need to update your case information through:

• Your local county Division of Family Resources office, or
• The official benefits portal used for SNAP and cash benefits

The EBT customer service line often cannot update your address or other case details on its own and will direct you to the proper office.

What Happens to Your Benefits When You Replace the Card?

Replacing your card does not cancel your benefits. Typically:

• Any unused SNAP or cash benefits on your lost or damaged card are moved to the new card once it’s activated.
• Purchases made before you reported the card lost or stolen usually cannot be refunded, since they look like authorized transactions to the system.
• After you report the loss, future unauthorized transactions with the old card should be blocked once it is deactivated.

If you believe:

• There are transactions you did not make, or
• There may be fraud on your account

You can:

• Call the EBT customer service number and ask about how to report possible fraud or disputes.
• Contact your local benefits office to explain the situation and ask what options you have.

Policies about replacing benefits after suspected fraud can be very strict, and results vary case by case.

Common Problems and How to Handle Them

1. Replacement Card Never Arrives

If you don’t receive your new card within the time frame the hotline gave you:

• Call the EBT customer service line and:
  • Confirm when the card was mailed
  • Verify the mailing address
• If the address is wrong or outdated, contact your local county office to correct it, then ask about sending another card.

2. You Forgot Your PIN Again

If you frequently forget your PIN:

• Choose something memorable but not obvious
• Do not write it directly on the card
• Consider writing a hint somewhere safe that only you understand

You can always use the customer service number to reset it.

3. Card Keeps Getting Declined

If your card is declined:

• Check your balance using:
  • The EBT customer service phone system
  • The official portal (if available)
  • A recent receipt from a store
• Make sure the store accepts EBT, and that you’re using:
  • SNAP benefits only for eligible food items
  • Cash benefits (if you have them) for non-food purchases
• If it still doesn’t work, the card may be damaged, and you may need a replacement.

How to Make Sure You’re Using Official Channels

Because EBT benefits involve money, it’s important to avoid scams and fake websites.

Here are some safety tips:

• ✅ Use only phone numbers listed on:
  • The back of your EBT card
  • Official Indiana government or county websites
• ✅ Check that websites have:
  • A clear connection to Indiana government agencies, and
  • Often a “.gov” or a known, official state domain
• ❌ Do not give your PIN to anyone:
  • Over email
  • Through social media
  • Through text from unknown numbers
  • On unverified websites
• ❌ Be cautious of anyone:
  • Promising extra benefits for a fee
  • Asking you to share your card number and PIN to “help” you

If you are not sure whether a phone number or website is official, you can:

• Call your local county benefits office and ask them to confirm the correct EBT hotline or website.
• Dial 211 (in many areas) to ask for help finding the official SNAP/EBT contact for Indiana.

If You Don’t Qualify for SNAP or Need Extra Food Help

If you are having trouble with food access, whether or not you qualify for SNAP, you may want to explore:

• Local food pantries or food banks
• Community meal programs (such as at churches or community centers)
• School meal programs for children
• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) if you are pregnant, postpartum, or have young children and think you might qualify

To find these:

• Call 211 to ask about food resources in your area
• Contact your local community action agency or social services office

These resources are usually separate from your EBT card but can help if you are waiting on a replacement or facing a gap in benefits.

Key Takeaways

• HowToGetAssistance.org does not issue, replace, or manage EBT cards.
• To replace your Indiana EBT card or change your PIN, you must use official state systems:
  • The Indiana EBT customer service number
  • The official state benefits portal, if available
  • Your local county Division of Family Resources office
• Act quickly if your card is lost or stolen to protect your benefits.
• You can change your PIN by phone and sometimes online; choose a PIN that is secure but memorable.
• If you are ever unsure, contact your local state or county benefits office to confirm you are using the correct official phone numbers and websites.