How to Replace a New Hampshire EBT Card and Change Your PIN

If you use an EBT card in New Hampshire for SNAP (food stamps) or other benefits, losing your card or forgetting your PIN can be stressful. This guide explains, in plain language, how people in New Hampshire typically:

• Report a lost, stolen, or damaged EBT card
• Request a replacement card
• Change or reset an EBT PIN

HowToGetAssistance.org is an independent information site. It is not a government agency, cannot access your case, and cannot issue or replace cards. To actually replace your card or change your PIN, you will need to contact official New Hampshire EBT and benefits offices or hotlines.

Quick Overview: New Hampshire EBT Basics

In New Hampshire, an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card is used to access:

• SNAP (Food Stamp Program)
• Sometimes other cash or nutrition benefits, depending on your case

Your EBT card works like a debit card at authorized stores. To use it, you need:

• The physical card
• Your 4‑digit Personal Identification Number (PIN)

If your card or PIN is compromised, your benefits could be at risk. That is why acting quickly is important.

Step 1: What To Do If Your New Hampshire EBT Card Is Lost, Stolen, or Damaged

If your card is lost or stolen

If you think your card is lost, stolen, or used without your permission, typical guidance is:

1. Call the official New Hampshire EBT customer service number immediately.

   • The number is usually printed on the back of the card and is often available on the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) website.
   • You can also ask your local DHHS District Office for the correct number.

2. Follow the prompts to:

   • Report the card lost or stolen
   • Freeze or deactivate the card so it can no longer be used
   • Request a replacement card

3. Be prepared to provide:

   • Your name
   • Your date of birth
   • Possibly the last four digits of your Social Security number
   • Your EBT card number, if you have it written down or saved

Once you report the card lost or stolen, the old card is typically canceled so no one else can use it.

If your card is damaged or not working

If your card is:

• Cracked or bent
• Not reading at the store
• The magnetic stripe or chip is worn

You can usually request a replacement the same way:

1. Call the official New Hampshire EBT customer service line, or
2. Contact your local DHHS office and ask how to get a replacement card

You generally should not try to tape or alter the card in ways that interfere with the magnetic strip or chip, as this can cause more problems at the checkout.

Step 2: How to Request a Replacement New Hampshire EBT Card

Most New Hampshire EBT users can replace a card through one of these channels:

1. By phone (most common)

You can usually request a replacement card by calling the:

• Official New Hampshire EBT customer service hotline, or
• The general DHHS assistance line, which can direct you to EBT services

When you call, you will typically:

1. Confirm your identity (name, date of birth, possibly address and last four digits of SSN).
2. Confirm whether the card is lost, stolen, or damaged.
3. Confirm or update your mailing address (so the replacement card is sent to the right place).

After that, the system or representative will usually order a new card by mail.

2. In person at a local DHHS office

Some people prefer to:

• Visit their local DHHS District Office in person
• Ask to speak with someone about a replacement EBT card

Staff there can usually:

• Provide the correct EBT hotline number
• Help you call from the office, or
• Explain whether same‑day or temporary card options are available (this can vary and may not always be offered)

3. State online benefits portal (if available)

New Hampshire may provide an online benefits portal where you can:

• View case information
• Update your address
• Sometimes report a lost card or view EBT contact information

However, card replacement requests are most often handled by phone. Use the state’s official website or customer service line for accurate, up‑to‑date instructions.

Step 3: How Long a Replacement EBT Card Takes in New Hampshire

Processing times can vary, but commonly:

• A replacement card sent by mail may take about 3–10 days to arrive.
• Some areas may offer expedited or same‑day replacement at specific offices, but this is not guaranteed and can change over time.

During your call, ask the representative:

• “How long will it take for my replacement New Hampshire EBT card to arrive?”
• “Is there any way to get it sooner if I have no food?”

If your situation is urgent, you can also:

• Explain that you are out of food or have an emergency need, and
• Ask if there are any local food pantries, emergency resources, or expedited processes they can point you to

Step 4: How To Change or Reset Your New Hampshire EBT PIN

You may need to change your EBT PIN if:

• You forgot it
• You think someone else knows your PIN
• An ATM error or store terminal message suggests a PIN problem

Typical ways to change your EBT PIN

Most New Hampshire EBT cardholders can change their PIN in one of these ways:

1. By phone through the EBT customer service system
2. At certain authorized locations or EBT PIN machines, if available
3. Through an automated state system, if New Hampshire offers PIN setup through its benefits portal (this can vary)

Changing your PIN by phone

This is often the fastest method. Usually, you:

1. Call the EBT customer service number on the back of your card.
2. Select the option for “PIN change” or “PIN selection.”
3. Enter:
   • Your card number
   • Requested identity verification details (for example, date of birth or last four digits of SSN)
4. Choose a new 4‑digit PIN.

When choosing a PIN, it is typically recommended to:

• Avoid birthdays and easy sequences like 1234 or 0000.
• Pick a number that is easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess.
• Not write the PIN on the card or keep it in the same wallet where the card is stored.

Resetting a forgotten PIN

If you forgot your PIN:

1. Call the EBT customer service number.
2. Use the option for “forgot PIN” or, if needed, select the option to talk to a live representative.
3. Verify your identity.
4. Set a new PIN over the phone.

You may need your card number to complete this process, so have the card in front of you if possible.

Replacement vs. PIN Change: What to Do When

Here is a simple comparison to help you decide whether you need a replacement card, PIN change, or both.

If you are unsure, you can always explain your situation to New Hampshire DHHS or the EBT hotline and ask what they recommend.

What Information You May Need When You Call

To replace your New Hampshire EBT card or change your PIN, it often helps to have:

• Your EBT card (if you still have it)
• Your full legal name
• Your date of birth
• The address where you get mail for benefits
• Possibly the last four digits of your Social Security number
• Any case number or client ID, if you know it

If something on your case has changed—such as your mailing address—tell the representative so your replacement card is not sent to the wrong place.

What Happens if Someone Uses Your EBT Card Before You Report It?

Many states, including New Hampshire, follow rules that do not always replace benefits that were already spent before you reported the card missing or compromised.

In practice, this often means:

• If someone uses your card before you call to report it lost/stolen, those benefits may not be restored.
• If someone tries to use your card after you call and it has been deactivated, the transactions should not go through.

For that reason, it is usually best to:

• Report a missing or stolen card immediately, even if you are not sure whether you will find it.
• Change your PIN as soon as you suspect someone may have learned it.

If you believe there was fraud on your account, you can:

• Ask the EBT customer service representative or your local DHHS office how to report suspected fraud.
• Ask if there is a dispute or claim form you can file.

Policies on restoring benefits can be strict, so it is important to get information directly from official New Hampshire agencies.

Common Issues That Can Delay Getting a Replacement Card or PIN

People sometimes run into delays because of:

• Incorrect mailing address on file
  • If you moved and did not update your address with DHHS, your card may be mailed to the wrong place.
• Incomplete identity verification over the phone
  • If the information you provide doesn’t match what is in the system, it may slow things down.
• Calling the wrong hotline
  • New Hampshire has different numbers for general questions versus EBT-specific issues. Make sure you reach EBT customer service.
• Relying only on a store or ATM
  • Store staff or ATM operators usually cannot replace cards or fully reset PINs. You will still need to contact the official EBT system or DHHS.

If you are unsure whether your address or phone number is correct in the system, ask an official DHHS worker or check through the state’s benefits portal, if you have an account there.

How to Verify You Are Using an Official New Hampshire EBT Channel

To avoid scams or giving your information to the wrong place, consider:

• Getting phone numbers only from:
  • The back of your current EBT card
  • The New Hampshire DHHS website
  • Printed notices from DHHS
  • Your local DHHS District Office
• Being cautious about:
  • Third‑party websites that ask for your full card number or PIN
  • Text messages, social media posts, or emails offering “extra benefits” or asking you to “re‑activate” your card by sharing your PIN
• Remembering:
  • Official staff and hotlines may ask for some identifying information, but you should be cautious about giving your full Social Security number or other sensitive information to unverified numbers or websites.
  • You should never share your PIN with store employees, friends, or family. Only enter it into official keypads or when prompted by the automated EBT phone system.

If you are not sure a phone number or site is real, you can:

• Call New Hampshire DHHS using a number listed in a phone directory or on printed mail from the agency.
• Dial 211 in New Hampshire and ask for help finding the official DHHS/EBT contact information.

If You Still Have No Food While Waiting for a Replacement Card

A replacement EBT card can take several days to arrive. While you are waiting, you might explore:

• Asking DHHS if they know of any emergency food resources in your area.
• Calling 211 to ask about:
  • Local food pantries
  • Community meal programs
  • Faith‑based or nonprofit food assistance

These resources are separate from EBT and may help with short‑term food needs while your card issue is being resolved.

Key Takeaways

• Lost, stolen, or damaged New Hampshire EBT card?
  Call the official EBT customer service number or New Hampshire DHHS right away to cancel the card and request a replacement.

• Need to change or reset your PIN?
  Use the automated EBT phone system or any other official method DHHS provides to set a new 4‑digit PIN.

• Act quickly.
  Benefits used before you report a problem may not be restored, so it generally helps to report issues as soon as you notice them.

• This website cannot replace your card or change your PIN.
  HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational resource only. To actually replace your New Hampshire EBT card or change your PIN, you will need to go through official state EBT and DHHS channels.