How to Replace a Montana EBT Card and Change Your PIN

If you use a Montana EBT card for SNAP (food stamps) or other benefits, losing your card or needing to change your PIN can be stressful. This guide walks through how people in Montana typically replace a lost, stolen, or damaged EBT card and change or reset an EBT PIN through official channels.

HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency, benefits office, or application site. This article is for information only so you know what to expect and where to turn next.

Understanding Your Montana EBT Card

In Montana, an EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card is a plastic card that works like a debit card. It is used to access:

• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) food benefits
• In some cases, other cash or assistance benefits that the state may issue on the same card

Your card is connected to your benefits account and protected by a 4‑digit Personal Identification Number (PIN).

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

• Report a lost or stolen card right away
• Protect your PIN and change it if you believe someone else knows it

When You Should Replace Your Montana EBT Card

Most people request a replacement Montana EBT card for one of these reasons:

• Lost card – You can’t find your card anywhere.
• Stolen card – You believe someone took your card or used it without permission.
• Damaged card – The card is cracked, bent, demagnetized, or no longer works in store terminals or ATMs.
• Name change – You legally changed your name and want a card showing your new name.
• Card not received – You were told a new card was mailed, but it never arrived.

If your card is truly lost or stolen, calling to cancel it quickly can help stop more purchases from being made with your benefits.

How to Report a Lost or Stolen Montana EBT Card

For Montana, EBT card services are typically handled through a state-contracted EBT customer service line.

People usually have two main options:

1. Call the EBT Customer Service Number

Most Montana EBT cards have a toll‑free customer service number printed on the back. If the card is lost, you may find the same number:

• On official Montana state benefit program websites
• On notices or letters from the state benefits office
• By calling your local Office of Public Assistance (OPA) and asking for the Montana EBT customer service number

When you call, you can usually:

1. Report the card as lost, stolen, or damaged
2. Cancel the existing card so it can’t be used
3. Request a replacement card mailed to you

You may be asked to provide:

• Your full name
• Your EBT card number (if you have it written somewhere)
• Your date of birth
• The last four digits of your Social Security number or other identifying details
• Your mailing address where the new card should be sent

If you do not remember your card number, customer service may still be able to look up your account using other identifying information.

2. Contact Your Local Office of Public Assistance (OPA)

If you prefer in‑person help or cannot get through on the phone, you can usually:

• Call or visit your local Montana OPA office
• Tell them you need to replace your EBT card

The local office staff may:

• Give you the correct EBT customer service number to call
• Help you call from the office
• In some cases, help you verify or update your mailing address so the card goes to the right place

Most replacements are still processed through the central EBT system, even if you ask for help at a local office.

What to Expect: Fees, Timing, and Replacement Card Delivery

Policies can change, so it’s best to confirm current details with Montana’s official EBT customer service line or your local OPA office, but here is what people commonly experience:

• Delivery time: New cards are often mailed within a few business days, but arrival may depend on the postal service and your location.
• Fee: Some states charge a small fee (deducted from benefits) for replacement cards after the first one; others do not. Ask customer service whether Montana currently charges a replacement fee.
• Address: The card will typically be sent to the mailing address on file with your case. If you’ve moved, update your address with the local office or official benefits portal first.
• Benefits balance: Your remaining benefits usually transfer to the new card account. Money already spent or stolen before you report the card may not be replaced in many cases.

Quick Comparison: Lost vs. Damaged vs. Name Change

How to Change or Reset Your Montana EBT PIN

Your PIN is your main security protection. You should never share your PIN with anyone you do not fully trust. If you think someone else might know it, change it as soon as possible.

In Montana, people usually have two main ways to set or change their EBT PIN:

1. Change Your PIN by Phone

Most Montana EBT users can call the EBT customer service number on the back of the card to:

• Set a PIN for a new card
• Change an existing PIN
• Reset a forgotten PIN

You will typically:

1. Call the toll‑free EBT customer service number
2. Select the option for “PIN”, “select or change PIN”, or similar, from the automated menu
3. Enter your EBT card number
4. Verify your identity using:
   • Last four digits of your Social Security number, or
   • Your date of birth, or
   • A ZIP code or other detail (varies by system)
5. Enter your new 4‑digit PIN twice

Tips for picking a PIN:

• Avoid easy guesses like 1234, 0000, or your birth year.
• Do not use a PIN that someone close to you might easily guess.
• Do not write your PIN on the card or keep it in your wallet beside the card.

2. Change Your PIN at a Local Office (If Available)

Some people in Montana may be able to:

• Visit their local Office of Public Assistance
• Ask for help to set or change a PIN using a secure phone or system

Not all offices offer on‑site PIN machines, so you may still be directed to call the EBT customer service number. However, office staff can often help if:

• You have trouble using the automated phone system
• You need language assistance
• You’re unsure what information to enter

What You Need Ready When Calling About Your Card or PIN

To make the process smoother, it helps to have:

• Your EBT card (if not lost)
• Your case information, if available (case number or client ID)
• Your mailing address
• Your date of birth
• The last four digits of your Social Security number (if you have one and it is on file with your case)

If any of this information has changed (like your address or name), you may first need to update your information with:

• Your local Office of Public Assistance, or
• The official state benefits portal used in Montana

Protecting Your Montana EBT Card and PIN

To reduce the risk of problems in the future:

• Sign the back of your card as soon as you receive it.
• Memorize your PIN and don’t keep it written down in your wallet.
• Shield the keypad when entering your PIN in stores or at ATMs.
• Check your EBT balance and recent transactions regularly using:
  • The EBT customer service phone number, or
  • Any official Montana EBT balance-check tools (such as an approved mobile app or online portal, if offered by the state)
• If something looks wrong, contact EBT customer service right away.

Many states do not replace benefits that were used by someone else before the card was reported lost or stolen, so acting quickly can be important.

Common Issues and How to Handle Them

1. You Can’t Reach EBT Customer Service

If hold times are long or the line is busy:

• Try calling at a different time of day, such as early morning or late evening.
• Call your local Office of Public Assistance and ask if there is:
  • A different number to try, or
  • An option to get help calling from the office

2. You Forgot Your PIN and Got Locked Out

After too many incorrect PIN attempts, some systems temporarily block card use.

Typical steps:

• Wait the required lockout period (often a short amount of time)
• Call EBT customer service to reset your PIN
• Choose a new PIN that you will remember but others won’t guess

3. Your Replacement Card Never Arrives

If you were told a new card was mailed but you don’t receive it:

1. Confirm your mailing address with your local OPA office or official benefits portal.
2. Call the EBT customer service number to:
   • Check the status of the replacement card
   • Ask when it was mailed
   • Request another card if needed

If you believe mail is being stolen, mention this when you call and consider asking your local office about alternate mailing arrangements, if any are available in Montana.

How to Make Sure You’re Using Official Montana Channels

Because EBT benefits are valuable, scammers sometimes pretend to be state agencies or EBT support. To stay safe:

• Use phone numbers found on:
  • Your EBT card
  • Official Montana state benefit letters
  • The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) or local OPA office
• Be cautious of:
  • Unsolicited calls or texts asking for your full card number and PIN
  • Websites that look unofficial or ask for payment to “speed up” benefits
• Legitimate Montana EBT staff will not ask you to:
  • Pay fees by gift card or money transfer
  • Give your full PIN to a person over the phone

If you’re ever unsure, contact your local OPA office, ask if a message or phone number is official, or dial 211 to be directed to official resources in your area.

If You Still Have Questions or Problems

If you have tried the typical steps and still have trouble with your Montana EBT card or PIN:

• Call the EBT customer service line again and explain the issue in detail.
• Contact your local Office of Public Assistance and ask:
  • Whether there are notes on your case about the card
  • If your address or identity needs verification
  • If there are any holds or flags affecting your card
• If you believe a decision or action was incorrect (for example, benefits marked as “used” that you did not use), ask if Montana has a dispute, fraud report, or appeal process related to EBT transactions.

Using the official Montana benefit offices, phone numbers, and portals is the most reliable way to replace your EBT card, change your PIN, and keep your benefits secure.