How to Replace a Minnesota EBT Card and Change Your PIN

If you use a Minnesota EBT card for SNAP (food assistance) or cash benefits, losing your card or needing to change your PIN can feel stressful. The good news is that there are clear steps you can take through official state systems to protect your benefits and get a new card.

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains the typical process to:

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

HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency or benefits portal. You cannot apply for, replace, or manage your EBT card here. Instead, this article is meant to help you understand what usually happens and how to work with Minnesota’s official offices and hotlines.

Understanding the Minnesota EBT Card

An EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card in Minnesota is a debit-style card used to access:

• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits for food
• Cash benefits from certain assistance programs (for eligible households)

Funds are loaded onto your card each month by the state. You then use the card at authorized stores or ATMs, depending on your benefits.

Because your EBT card is tied to your benefits, it is important to:

• Report it quickly if it’s lost, stolen, or damaged
• Protect your PIN and change it if you think someone else might know it

When You Should Replace Your Minnesota EBT Card

You typically need a replacement Minnesota EBT card if:

• Your card is lost
• Your card is stolen
• Your card is damaged or not working
• Your card does not swipe properly at stores or ATMs
• Your name has changed and you need your card updated (handled through your local county/tribal agency)

In all of these cases, the first step is almost always to call the official EBT customer service line listed on the back of your card or on Minnesota’s official benefits websites.

Step-by-Step: How to Report a Lost or Stolen Minnesota EBT Card

If your card is missing or you think someone else may have access to it:

1. Call the official Minnesota EBT customer service number immediately.

   • This number is printed on the back of the card.
   • If your card is missing and you can’t see the number, you can usually find it by searching online for “Minnesota EBT customer service number” on an official state website.

2. Follow the automated prompts or ask to speak with a representative.

   • Choose options like “lost or stolen card” when asked.
   • Be prepared to provide personal details to verify your identity, such as:
     • Full name
     • Date of birth
     • Address on file
     • Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number (if required)
     • Card number (if you have it)

3. Request that the card be deactivated.

   • This helps prevent someone else from using any remaining benefits.
   • Typically, any new purchases made before you report the card lost or stolen cannot be replaced, so calling quickly is important.

4. Ask for a replacement card to be mailed.

   • Confirm your mailing address on file.
   • Ask how long it usually takes to arrive and what to do if it does not show up in that time.

How to Request a Replacement Minnesota EBT Card

Once you’ve reported the card lost, stolen, or damaged, the customer service line usually offers to send a replacement.

Typical process:

• You call the official Minnesota EBT customer service line.
• Your old card is canceled to protect your benefits.
• A new card is ordered and mailed to the address they have on file.

What You May Need to Confirm

Customer service may ask for:

• Name exactly as it appears on your case
• Current address
• Phone number
• Date of birth
• Possibly your case number or Social Security number

If your address has changed, you may be told to contact:

• Your county or tribal human services office, or
• The official state benefits portal or hotline, depending on how Minnesota handles changes of address at that time.

The customer service line usually cannot change your address themselves if it doesn’t match the information in your case.

How Long Does It Take to Receive a Replacement EBT Card?

Timelines can vary, but many people in Minnesota are told to expect:

• About 5–10 business days for a card mailed through regular delivery
• Possibly faster if expedited mailing is available (not guaranteed and may depend on local policies)

If your card hasn’t arrived by the time they estimated:

1. Call the Minnesota EBT customer service line again.
2. Confirm:
   • The mailing date of the replacement
   • The address they used
3. Ask whether a new replacement needs to be issued.

Will My Benefits Be Safe While I Wait?

Once your missing card is reported and deactivated, new purchases on that card should not go through. However:

• Benefits already spent before you reported the card missing usually cannot be restored.
• Monthly deposits should continue to load to your account normally, even if you’re still waiting for the new card—you just may not be able to use them until you have the physical card and PIN.

If you think benefits were used by someone else after you reported the card lost or stolen, ask the EBT customer service representative or your county/tribal office how to report suspected fraud.

How to Change or Reset Your Minnesota EBT PIN

You can typically change your EBT PIN in Minnesota in a few ways, depending on state systems at the time:

Option 1: By Phone (Most Common)

1. Call the official Minnesota EBT customer service number.
2. Choose the option for PIN services, “change PIN,” or “set PIN.”
3. Enter your:
   • EBT card number
   • Identifying information (such as date of birth or last 4 of Social Security number)
4. Follow the prompts to create a new 4-digit PIN.

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

• Birthdays
• Repeating numbers like 1111
• Simple patterns like 1234

Option 2: With Help from Your Local Office

Some people prefer to get help from their:

• County human services office
• Tribal human services office

Staff there usually cannot see your PIN, but they may:

• Provide the correct phone number and system instructions
• Let you use a phone at the office to call the EBT line
• Help you understand any error messages or issues

When You Should Change Your PIN

You should consider changing your Minnesota EBT PIN if:

• You wrote it down and lost the paper
• You think someone else may have seen you enter it
• You shared your PIN with someone and no longer want them to use your card
• You suspect fraud or strange transactions on your account

Changing your PIN does not change your benefit amount or schedule; it only affects how you access your benefits at the store or ATM.

Quick Comparison: Replace EBT Card vs. Change PIN

Common Problems and How to Handle Them

1. The System Doesn’t Recognize Your Information

If you’re calling to change a PIN or replace a card and the system:

• Says your information doesn’t match, or
• Locks you out after several tries

You may need to:

• Contact your county or tribal human services office
• Confirm the personal details on your case records (name spelling, date of birth, address)

Once your case information is corrected, you can usually try again with the EBT phone system.

2. Your Replacement Card Never Arrives

If the replacement card does not arrive within the timeframe customer service gave you:

• Call the EBT customer service line again.
• Ask if:
  • The card was mailed
  • The address is correct
• If needed, contact your local human services office to:
  • Update your address
  • Confirm your mailing preferences

In some cases, another replacement may need to be ordered.

3. You Need Your Card Very Quickly

Some counties or tribal agencies may have local procedures for urgent situations (for example, issues just before your benefits are loaded). These vary by location. You can:

• Call your county or tribal human services office and explain your situation.
• Ask if there are any local options or if you must wait for the mailed card.

Policies change, so it helps to speak directly with an official office.

How to Tell You’re Using an Official Minnesota EBT Channel

Because EBT benefits are valuable, scammers sometimes target cardholders. Before giving out any information, make sure you are using an official channel.

Here are some ways to check:

• Official phone numbers

  • Get the number from:
    • The back of your EBT card
    • Printed notices from your county or tribal office
    • A state government website with “.gov” in the address

• Avoid giving full card details to unsolicited callers

  • If someone calls you unexpectedly claiming to be from “EBT” or “the state,” hang up and call the number on the back of your card or your county office yourself.

• Be cautious with texts and emails

  • Scammers may send messages saying your card is locked or benefits are expiring. Instead of clicking links or replying, use a known official number or website to verify.

If you believe you shared information with a scammer:

1. Immediately call the EBT customer service number.
2. Ask to change your PIN and consider requesting a new card.
3. Ask how to report fraud through official channels.

Who Typically Manages EBT in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, EBT benefits are usually overseen through:

• The state-level human services agency (often the Department of Human Services)
• County human services offices
• Tribal human services offices (for tribal members receiving services through those programs)

Your local county or tribal office is usually your main contact for:

• Applying for SNAP or cash assistance
• Updating your address, household changes, or income
• Questions about eligibility, benefit amounts, or case status

The EBT customer service line usually handles:

• Reporting lost, stolen, or damaged cards
• Handling PIN changes and resets
• Checking card balance and recent transactions

If You Don’t Qualify for Benefits or Lose Access

If your case closes or you don’t qualify for EBT benefits, you may still want help with food or basic needs. In Minnesota, people often turn to:

• Food shelves / food pantries
• Community meal programs
• Faith-based charities
• Local nonprofits specializing in housing, utilities, or emergency help
• 211 (by dialing 2-1-1) for referrals to nearby resources

These are usually separate from EBT, but they can sometimes help fill gaps while you are waiting for an application decision, a replacement card, or a problem to be resolved.

Key Takeaways

• To replace a Minnesota EBT card: Call the official EBT customer service hotline as soon as you know the card is lost, stolen, or damaged. They can deactivate the old card and mail a replacement.
• To change or reset your PIN: Use the phone system on the EBT customer service line or seek help from your county or tribal human services office to navigate the process.
• Keep your information updated with your local human services office, especially your mailing address, so replacement cards reach you.
• Always verify that you’re using official state websites, local offices, or hotlines before sharing personal or card information.

By understanding these steps and using the correct official channels, you can better protect your Minnesota EBT benefits and get back to using your card as quickly and safely as possible.