How to Replace a Maryland EBT Card and Change Your PIN

If you use a Maryland EBT card for SNAP (Food Supplement Program) or cash assistance and your card is lost, stolen, damaged, or your PIN needs to be changed, there are clear steps you can take through official state channels.

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains typical processes and what to expect. This site is not a government agency or application portal. It’s here to help you understand how to work with Maryland’s official EBT and benefits offices.

Understanding Your Maryland EBT Card and PIN

A Maryland EBT card (Electronic Benefits Transfer) works like a debit card. It is usually used to access:

• SNAP (Food Supplement Program) benefits
• Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) or other cash benefits, if you qualify

Your PIN (Personal Identification Number) is a 4‑digit code you use to:

• Pay at the store with your EBT card
• Check your balance at an ATM (for cash benefits) or EBT terminal
• Help protect your account from unauthorized use

If your card or PIN is compromised, acting quickly can help protect your benefits.

When You Should Replace Your Maryland EBT Card

You will typically need a replacement EBT card if your current card is:

• Lost
• Stolen
• Damaged or demagnetized (for example, the strip no longer reads)
• Not working at stores or ATMs, even after checking with the EBT customer service line

If you suspect someone else may know your PIN, you may want to:

• Request a PIN change immediately, and
• If you think they might physically have your card or card number, also request a new card

How to Report a Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Maryland EBT Card

In Maryland, EBT cards are generally managed through the state’s EBT system and the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) or local Department of Social Services (DSS) offices.

To protect your benefits:

1. Call the official Maryland EBT customer service line right away.

   • The number is usually printed on the back of your card, on your approval letter, or listed on your state’s benefits website.
   • You can also contact your local DSS office and ask for the correct EBT customer service phone number if you’re unsure.

2. Follow the prompts to report your card.
   Typically, you will:

   • Choose the option for “lost or stolen card” or “card problems”
   • Enter your card number, if you have it available
   • If you don’t have your card, you may need to provide:
     • Your name
     • Your date of birth
     • The last four digits of your Social Security number (if you have one)
     • Possibly your mailing address

3. Ask the system or representative to “hotlist” or deactivate the card.
   This step blocks the card so no one else can use it going forward.

4. Request a replacement Maryland EBT card.
   Confirm:

   • That a new card is being issued
   • Where it will be mailed (check that your mailing address is correct)
   • Whether you need to change your PIN, especially if the old card may have been used by someone else

How Long It Usually Takes to Get a Replacement Maryland EBT Card

Timelines can vary, but many Maryland cardholders experience:

• Mail delivery of a replacement card within a few business days to about 7–10 days
• In some locations, emergency or expedited replacement may be possible through a local office if you have no access to food or urgently need your benefits, but this depends on local DSS policies

To get the most accurate timeline:

• Ask the Maryland EBT customer service representative
• Or call your local Department of Social Services office and ask how long replacements are currently taking

Typical Information You May Need to Confirm for a Replacement

When you request a replacement Maryland EBT card, you may need to provide or confirm:

• Full name on the case
• Date of birth
• Case number (if you know it)
• Mailing address where the card should be sent
• Possibly the last four digits of your Social Security number (if you have one)

You usually do not need to reapply for benefits just to replace the card, as long as your case is still active.

How to Activate Your New Maryland EBT Card

When your new card arrives:

1. Read any instructions that arrive with the card.
2. Call the EBT customer service number on the sticker or mailer.
3. You will usually be asked to:
   • Enter the card number
   • Confirm your identity (date of birth, last four digits of Social Security number, or security questions)
4. Create a new PIN if prompted, or use your existing PIN if the system allows it (in many cases, you’ll set a new one for security).

Do not throw away your old card until the new one is active, if you still have it. Once the new card is activated, the old card is typically automatically disabled.

How to Change Your Maryland EBT Card PIN

If you forgot your PIN, think someone else knows it, or simply want a new code, you can usually change your Maryland EBT PIN in one of two common ways:

1. Change Your PIN by Phone

1. Call the official Maryland EBT customer service number.
2. Follow the menu to “change PIN” or “select PIN.”
3. Enter:
   • Your EBT card number
   • Any requested identifying information (such as date of birth or last four digits of your Social Security number)
4. When prompted, choose a new 4‑digit PIN.
   • Avoid simple patterns like 1234, 0000, or your birth year.
   • Choose something easy for you but hard for others to guess.

2. Change Your PIN Through an Official Office (Where Available)

Some Maryland counties may allow PIN changes at:

• The local Department of Social Services office
• Designated EBT customer service kiosks or terminals (if offered)

If you prefer in-person help:

• Call your local DSS office and ask if they can help you change your EBT PIN on-site and whether you need an appointment or ID.

Key Differences: Replacing a Card vs. Changing a PIN

Below is a simple comparison to help you decide what you may need to do:

If you are unsure which option is right for you, the EBT customer service line can help you decide.

What Happens to Your Benefits When You Replace Your Card

When you get a replacement Maryland EBT card:

• Your existing benefits usually transfer to the new card automatically.
• The balance should be the same as it was on the old card (minus any purchases made before you reported it lost or stolen).

Important points:

• Maryland EBT programs generally do not replace benefits that were spent before you reported your card lost or stolen, even if someone else used them without your permission.
• Benefits may be restored if they were issued in error or due to a system problem, but that is handled through the official benefits office, not through the EBT card vendor alone.

If you see transactions on your account that you did not make, report them to:

• The Maryland EBT customer service number (for card issues), and
• Your local Department of Social Services (for possible fraud review or case issues)

Common Reasons for Delays With Replacement Cards or PIN Changes

People sometimes face delays or confusion when trying to replace a Maryland EBT card or change a PIN. Common issues include:

• Outdated mailing address on file
• Not completing identity verification on the phone
• Misplacing the new card mailer or activation instructions
• Calling unofficial numbers found online (which can lead to wasted time or risk of scams)

To reduce delays:

• Confirm your current mailing address with your local DSS office if you have moved.
• Keep a secure note of:
  • Your case number (if available)
  • The official EBT customer service number
• If your new card does not arrive within the expected time, call the EBT hotline or your local DSS office and ask if the card was mailed and to which address.

How to Check If You’re Using an Official Maryland EBT Channel

Because EBT benefits involve money for food and basic needs, scams do exist. To help protect yourself:

• Use phone numbers listed on:
  • Official state benefit letters
  • The back of your current or old EBT card
  • The Maryland Department of Human Services or local DSS website
• Be cautious of:
  • Text messages, social media posts, or emails asking for your full card number and PIN
  • Websites or apps that claim they can “boost” or “double” your EBT benefits for a fee
• Official staff and systems may ask you to enter your PIN on a keypad or phone system, but legitimate workers typically will not ask you to say or write your PIN out loud.

If you are unsure whether a phone number or website is official:

• Call your local Department of Social Services directly using a number you trust (such as the one in a paper notice you already received).
• You can also dial 211 in Maryland to ask for help getting the correct benefits contact information.

What If You Still Can’t Access Your MD EBT After These Steps?

If you’ve requested a replacement card or PIN change and you still cannot access your benefits:

1. Call the Maryland EBT customer service number again.

   • Ask them to confirm:
     • Is your card active?
     • Is your PIN set and accepted by the system?
     • Was a card sent, and to which address?

2. Contact your local Department of Social Services office.

   • Explain what you’ve tried so far.
   • Ask if there is any hold, sanction, or eligibility issue affecting your case.

3. If you believe your benefits were stopped or reduced incorrectly, ask about:

   • How to request a fair hearing or appeal
   • Any deadlines to file an appeal after a notice is mailed

Appeals and hearings are handled through the state’s official process, not through HowToGetAssistance.org.

If You Don’t Qualify for Maryland EBT or Need Extra Help

If your Maryland EBT case is closed, you do not qualify, or you’re waiting on a replacement card:

You might explore:

• Local food pantries and food banks
• Community meal programs, churches, and nonprofits
• 211 Maryland, which can connect you with:
  • Emergency food assistance
  • Housing and utility resources
  • Other local support services

These resources do not replace your EBT benefits, but they may help you get through gaps while you work with the official state agencies.

By using the official Maryland EBT customer service line and your local Department of Social Services office, you can usually replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Maryland EBT card and change your PIN safely. HowToGetAssistance.org cannot access your account or issue cards, but it can help you understand the steps so you’re better prepared when you contact the official offices.