Lost or Damaged Michigan EBT Card? How to Get a Replacement and Change Your PIN

If you use a Michigan EBT card for Food Assistance (SNAP) or cash benefits, losing your card or forgetting your PIN can be stressful. This guide walks through how people in Michigan typically:

• Report a lost, stolen, or damaged EBT card
• Request a replacement Michigan EBT card
• Change or reset their EBT card PIN
• Protect their benefits and avoid common problems

This article is for general guidance only. HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency, not an EBT card provider, and not an application or replacement service. To replace a card or change a PIN, you must use official Michigan benefits offices, hotlines, or websites.

Understanding Your Michigan EBT Card

In Michigan, an EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card is typically used to access:

• Food assistance (SNAP/food stamps)
• Cash assistance, if you qualify for a cash program

Your card works like a debit card. Each month, your approved benefits are loaded onto your card, and you access them using:

• The physical card, and
• A 4-digit PIN (Personal Identification Number)

If you lose the card, someone who knows or guesses your PIN might use your benefits. That’s why reporting the card lost and updating your PIN quickly is important.

When You Should Replace Your Michigan EBT Card

You usually need a replacement EBT card if:

• Your card is lost
• Your card is stolen
• Your card is damaged (cracked, unreadable, won’t swipe, chip or magnetic strip not working)
• You never received a card that was mailed
• Your card is expired or close to expiring and you are still eligible for benefits

In these situations, the typical first step is to call the official Michigan EBT customer service number or contact your local Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) office.

How to Replace a Michigan EBT Card

The process can vary slightly depending on your situation, but in Michigan it generally involves these steps:

1. Report your card lost, stolen, or damaged

Most people start by calling the official EBT customer service line listed on:

• Any EBT mail you’ve received
• The back of your existing EBT card (if you still have it)
• Official Michigan Department of Health and Human Services information

When you call, be prepared to:

• Confirm your identity – you may be asked for:
  • Your full name
  • Your date of birth
  • Your Social Security Number (or the last 4 digits)
  • Your address on file
• Explain the problem – lost, stolen, or damaged card

Once you report the card as lost or stolen, it is typically deactivated so it can’t be used.

2. Request a replacement card

During the same call, you can usually request a replacement Michigan EBT card.

Common options:

• Mailed replacement to the address on file
• In some cases, you may be able to request a card through your local MDHHS office, depending on their policies and services at the time

Ask the representative:

• How long it will take to receive your new card
• Whether there are any replacement fees (policies can change)
• How to update your mailing address if it’s incorrect or outdated

If your address has changed, you may need to:

• Contact your local MDHHS office directly, or
• Update your address through the official Michigan benefits portal or hotline

Most agencies will not mail a card to an address they do not have on file until your information is updated.

3. Wait for your new card to arrive

Typical timelines vary, but many people receive a replacement card:

• Within 5–10 business days after the request, depending on mail speed and processing

If you don’t receive your card in a reasonable time:

• Call the official EBT customer service or
• Contact your local MDHHS office to check on the status

How to Change or Reset Your Michigan EBT PIN

You may want to change your PIN if:

• You forgot your current PIN
• You think someone else may know your PIN
• Your card was recently lost or stolen
• You just want a more secure number

Most states, including Michigan, allow you to change or select a PIN in a few different ways.

Option 1: Change your PIN by phone

Many Michigan EBT users can change their PIN by:

1. Calling the official EBT customer service number
2. Following the automated prompts for “PIN change” or “PIN selection”
3. Entering:
   • Your card number (from the front of the card)
   • Other identifying information as requested
4. Choosing a new 4-digit PIN

Make sure your new PIN is:

• Easy for you to remember
• Hard for others to guess (avoid 0000, 1234, your birth year, or repeating digits)

If you forgot your PIN and can’t get through the automated system, you can usually choose to speak to a customer service representative for help.

Option 2: Change your PIN through an official online portal (if available)

Some states let users manage EBT accounts online. If Michigan offers this:

1. Go to the official Michigan EBT or benefits website (not a third-party site)
2. Log in or create an account, following the official instructions
3. Look for a “Change PIN” or “Manage Card” section
4. Follow the steps to update your PIN

Always double-check you are on an official state website (see scam-avoidance tips below).

Option 3: Change your PIN in person (where allowed)

In certain cases, you might be able to get PIN assistance at:

• Your local MDHHS office, or
• Another official site that handles EBT card services

Not all offices offer PIN setup or changes on-site, and availability can change, so it’s best to:

• Call ahead to your local office, or
• Check with the official MDHHS customer service line

Quick Comparison: Replacement Card vs. PIN Change

Information You May Need When Calling About Your EBT Card

When you contact official Michigan EBT support, you may be asked for:

• Your full legal name
• Date of birth
• Social Security Number (full or last four digits)
• EBT card number, if you have it
• Mailing address currently on file
• Possibly a case or client ID number from MDHHS letters

Having these details nearby can help the call go more smoothly.

What Happens to Your Benefits When You Replace a Card

A replacement card does not usually change:

• The amount of benefits you qualify for
• Your monthly benefit schedule

Typically:

• Any unused benefits remain in your EBT account
• Your old card is deactivated
• Your new card lets you access the same account once you set or confirm a PIN

However, benefits used before you reported the card lost or stolen may not be replaceable. Policies can vary and may change, so you can ask:

• Whether benefits used by someone else before you called can be recovered or not

Common Problems and How to Handle Them

1. Card didn’t arrive

If you were told a card or replacement card was mailed but you never received it:

• Check that your address with MDHHS is correct
• Call the official EBT customer service to:
  • Confirm whether the card was mailed
  • Ask whether it was returned or reported as undeliverable
  • Request a new mailing if necessary

You might also be advised to contact your local MDHHS office to update your address or confirm identity.

2. PIN attempts locked your card

If you enter the wrong PIN too many times, your card may temporarily lock:

• Wait the recommended time (sometimes it’s until the next day), then try again, or
• Call the EBT customer service to reset your PIN

3. Someone used your benefits without permission

If you see transactions you did not make:

1. Call the EBT customer service line immediately to:
   • Stop further use of the card
   • Report suspicious activity
   • Request a replacement card
2. Ask how to dispute transactions or report fraud

Be aware that, in many places, benefits lost due to theft or card skimming may not always be reimbursed, or may only be reimbursed under certain conditions. The representative or your local MDHHS office can explain the current rules.

How to Make Sure You’re Using Official Michigan Channels

Because EBT benefits are valuable, scams do happen. When dealing with your Michigan EBT card, keep these tips in mind:

• Use phone numbers from:
  • The back of your EBT card
  • Official mail from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
  • Information posted inside MDHHS offices
• Check website addresses carefully:
  • Official Michigan government sites usually end in “.gov”
  • Avoid entering your card or Social Security number on unofficial or look-alike sites
• Be cautious with texts or emails:
  • If you receive messages asking you to “click a link” and enter your EBT info, verify the message through the official hotline or your local office first
• Never share your PIN:
  • MDHHS staff and EBT customer service representatives typically will not ask for your PIN
  • If someone asks for your full PIN over the phone or online, that’s a warning sign

If you’re unsure whether a call, letter, or website is legitimate:

• Contact your local MDHHS office directly using a number you look up yourself, or
• Dial 211 for general resource guidance and ask how to reach the correct state benefits office

If You Still Need Help With Your Michigan EBT Card

If you have trouble replacing your card or changing your PIN, you can usually:

• Call the official Michigan EBT customer service line again and ask to speak to a representative
• Visit or contact your local Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) office
• Reach out to community organizations, such as:
  • Local food pantries
  • Community action agencies
  • Legal aid organizations that help with public benefits issues

They can’t replace the card for you, but they may help you understand letters, navigate phone menus, or communicate with the state agency.

By using the official hotlines, websites, and MDHHS offices, you can usually get your Michigan EBT card replaced and PIN changed so you can access your benefits as safely and quickly as possible.