How to Replace a Missouri EBT Card and Change Your PIN

If you use Missouri EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) for SNAP food benefits or cash assistance, losing your card or needing to change your PIN can feel stressful. The good news is: there are clear steps to fix it through official Missouri benefit channels.

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains how replacement and PIN changes usually work in Missouri, what to expect, and how to protect your benefits. This site is informational only and is not a government office, benefit portal, or application site. You will still need to use official state phone numbers, websites, or local offices to complete any actions.

Understanding Your Missouri EBT Card

In Missouri, an EBT card works like a debit card that holds your approved benefits, such as:

• SNAP (Food Stamps) benefits
• Temporary Assistance or other cash benefits, if you qualify

Your Missouri EBT card comes with:

• A card number
• Your name (in most cases)
• A 4‑digit PIN (Personal Identification Number) that you choose or receive when you first activate the card

You generally need:

• The physical card
• The correct PIN

to use your benefits at approved grocery stores, some farmers markets, and ATMs (for cash benefits where allowed).

When You Should Replace Your Missouri EBT Card

You may need a replacement EBT card if:

• Your card is lost
• Your card is stolen
• Your card is damaged (cracked, unreadable, or not working at stores/ATMs)
• You notice suspicious or unauthorized transactions
• Your card never arrived in the mail

In most situations, you should act quickly. Once someone has your card and your PIN, they may be able to spend your benefits. In many states, benefits already spent by someone else may not be replaced, so reporting problems fast is important.

Step-by-Step: How to Replace a Missouri EBT Card

The general process to replace a Missouri EBT card usually involves:

1. Call the Official EBT Customer Service Number

On most cards and official notices, there is a toll‑free EBT customer service phone number. Typically, you can:

• Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Report a card as lost, stolen, or damaged
• Request a new card

If you do not have your card or paperwork, you can:

• Look up “Missouri EBT customer service number”
• Or contact the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) or your local Family Support Division (FSD) office and ask for the official EBT hotline

When you call, be prepared to verify your identity. You may be asked for:

• Your full name
• Your date of birth
• Your mailing address
• Possibly the last 4 digits of your Social Security number
• Other information used on your benefit case

If you believe your card was stolen or used by someone else, say that clearly to the representative or through the automated prompts.

2. Report the Card as Lost, Stolen, or Damaged

During the call, follow the prompts or talk with a representative to:

• Deactivate your old card so it can’t be used anymore
• Confirm that you want a replacement card mailed to you

If someone has your card and PIN, it is important that the old card is blocked immediately so no further purchases can be made.

3. Confirm Your Mailing Address

The replacement card is usually:

• Mailed to the address on file for your case

If you moved or your address is incorrect, you should:

• Update your address first with the Family Support Division through:
  • The official benefits portal (if available in Missouri at the time)
  • Your local FSD office
  • Or the state benefit call center

Sometimes, updating an address through one system and ordering a card through another can cause delays, so:

• Ask the representative to confirm which address your new card will go to
• Ask how long it should take to arrive

4. Wait for Your Replacement Card to Arrive

In many cases, a replacement Missouri EBT card:

• Is mailed out within a few business days
• May take 5–10 business days to arrive, depending on mail times

During this waiting period:

• You usually cannot use your benefits without a card and PIN
• If you have urgent food needs, consider:
  • Contacting 211 for local food pantries and meal programs
  • Asking your local DSS/FSD office about any available emergency food resources in your area

5. Activate Your New Card and Set a PIN

When your replacement card arrives, it should include activation instructions, often involving:

• Calling the EBT customer service number
• Entering your card number
• Verifying your identity
• Setting a new 4‑digit PIN (or re-entering a PIN you already use, depending on how Missouri handles replacements)

Always choose a PIN that is hard for others to guess, and never share it with friends, roommates, or store staff.

How to Change Your Missouri EBT Card PIN

Changing your EBT PIN is a smart step if:

• You think someone might know your PIN
• You accidentally shared it
• You entered it at a suspicious device or are worried about card skimming
• You just want extra security

Common Ways to Change Your PIN in Missouri

Most Missouri EBT users can change their PIN using any of these methods:

1. By Phone (Most Common)

   • Call the EBT customer service number listed on the back of your card or on official notices
   • Use the automated system or speak with a representative
   • You’ll typically:
     • Enter or say your card number
     • Verify your identity with date of birth or other details
     • Choose a new 4‑digit PIN and confirm it

2. Online EBT Portal (If Available)
   In some states, there is an online EBT cardholder website where you can:

   • View your balance and transactions
   • Change your PIN
   • Sometimes request a replacement card

   To see if this exists for Missouri:

   • Check printed information that came with your card
   • Ask the EBT customer service line
   • Or ask your local FSD office for the official EBT cardholder website

3. At a Local Office (If Allowed)
   Some local Family Support Division offices may assist with:

   • Calling EBT customer service from the office
   • Helping you navigate the automated system
     Check with your local office to see whether they offer in-person assistance with PIN changes.

PIN Safety Tips to Protect Your Missouri EBT Benefits

A strong PIN helps protect your benefits. Key tips:

• Do not use obvious numbers, such as:
  • 0000, 1111, 1234
  • Your birth year or birthday
  • Part of your Social Security number
• Never write your PIN on your card or keep it in the same wallet or purse
• Shield the keypad when you enter your PIN at the store or ATM
• Be careful using your card at unusual ATMs or devices that look tampered with or loose
• If a cashier or anyone else offers to enter your PIN, decline and do it yourself

If you suspect skimming (devices stealing card and PIN data) or other fraud, change your PIN right away and call the EBT customer service line to report it.

Quick Comparison: Replacement vs. PIN Change

Below is a simple summary of the difference between replacing your Missouri EBT card and changing your PIN:

What to Expect After You Request a Replacement

After you request a replacement EBT card in Missouri:

• Your old card is usually invalid right away (or very soon after the report)
• New card is mailed to your address on file
• Your current benefits stay on your account; they are not lost just because your card is replaced
• Future monthly deposits usually continue as normal to the same account, just accessed through your new card

If you had automatic withdrawals from ATMs or certain stores regularly, those do not typically continue automatically; you’ll just use your new card as usual.

If you believe benefits were stolen from your account, you can:

• Report it to the EBT customer service line
• Ask whether the state has a formal fraud or benefit theft complaint process
• In some cases, states may have forms to report unauthorized transactions; outcomes vary and replacement of stolen benefits is not guaranteed

Common Problems and How to Handle Them

1. “I requested a replacement card but it hasn’t arrived.”

If your card hasn’t arrived within the expected time:

• Confirm with EBT customer service:
  • The date it was mailed
  • The mailing address used
• If the address is wrong, update it with:
  • The Family Support Division (online portal, phone, or local office)
• Ask whether the card needs to be reissued after the address correction

2. “I forgot my PIN.”

If you forget your PIN:

1. Call the EBT customer service number
2. Use the automated prompts or talk with an agent to reset your PIN
3. You may need to verify your identity
4. Choose a new PIN and write it down in a safe place (but not on your card)

3. “My card doesn’t work at the store.”

If your card is being declined:

• Check for:
  • Insufficient balance
  • Expired card (if applicable)
• Try another store or ATM, if possible
• If it still fails:
  • Call EBT customer service to check:
    • Your account balance
    • Whether there’s a technical problem
  • If they believe the card is damaged or defective, request a replacement

How to Verify You’re Using Official Missouri Channels

Because EBT benefits are a target for scams, it is important to make sure you are only sharing information through official sources.

Tips to help verify:

• Use phone numbers printed on your EBT card, on official letters from the Missouri Department of Social Services, or posted in local FSD offices
• Avoid websites that:
  • Ask you to pay fees to check your EBT balance
  • Claim they can speed up approvals or give extra benefits
  • Do not clearly identify a government domain or official state agency
• Do not share your full card number and PIN with anyone who calls or messages you unexpectedly
  • If someone claims to be from the state, hang up and call the publicly listed official number instead
• If unsure, you can:
  • Call 211 and ask for help locating the official Missouri SNAP/EBT contact
  • Visit or call your local Family Support Division office directly

Remember:
HowToGetAssistance.org is not an official government site. It cannot check balances, replace cards, change your PIN, or manage your case. Those actions must be completed through official Missouri EBT and benefit offices or hotlines.

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

If you are waiting for a replacement card or do not have EBT benefits but still need food or basic assistance, you might consider:

• Food pantries and meal programs
  • Call 211 or contact local community centers, churches, or nonprofits
• Local charitable organizations
  • Some groups provide emergency food boxes, vouchers, or hot meals
• Community action agencies
  • May help with utilities, housing, or referrals to other resources
• School meal programs for children
  • Check with your child’s school district about free or reduced-price meals or any emergency food options

By following the steps above through official Missouri EBT phone lines, online portals, or local offices, you can:

• Replace a lost, stolen, or damaged EBT card
• Change your PIN to protect your benefits
• Reduce the risk of fraud and keep your household’s assistance as secure as possible.