How to Replace Your Oregon EBT Card and Change Your PIN

If you use an Oregon EBT card for SNAP (food benefits) or cash assistance, losing your card or needing to change your PIN can feel stressful. Fortunately, the process to replace an Oregon EBT card and reset or change your PIN is usually straightforward once you know which official offices and numbers to use.

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains the typical steps. It is informational only and not an official government site. You cannot apply for benefits, request a new card, or change your PIN through this website. To take action, you will need to contact official Oregon benefit offices, hotlines, or portals.

Understanding Your Oregon EBT Card

An Oregon 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, often called “food stamps”)
• Cash benefits such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), if you receive them

You use the card at payment terminals and ATMs (for cash benefits) with a 4-digit PIN. Keeping both your card and PIN secure is critical, because:

• Anyone who has both your card and PIN can usually spend your benefits.
• Most states, including Oregon, do not replace benefits that are used before you report the card lost or stolen.

When You Should Replace Your Oregon EBT Card

You should request a replacement Oregon EBT card right away if:

• Your card is lost
• Your card is stolen
• Your card is damaged and no longer works in machines
• Your name has changed and you’ve updated it with the agency, and you need a card with the new name
• The card’s magnetic strip or chip is worn out and repeatedly fails

If you think someone may know your PIN but you still have the card, you may be able to just change your PIN instead of replacing the card. If someone may have your card and PIN, it is usually safer to cancel and replace the card and change the PIN.

How to Report a Lost or Stolen Oregon EBT Card

The first and most important step is to report the card lost or stolen to the official Oregon EBT system. This usually:

• Stops new purchases on the old card
• Helps protect any remaining balance
• Starts the replacement card process

Typical ways to report:

1. Call the Oregon EBT customer service number

   • Oregon uses a toll-free EBT customer service line (often printed on the back of your card, on notices from the state, or on official Oregon benefits websites).
   • When you call, you may reach an automated system and/or a live representative.
   • Follow the prompts for “lost or stolen card”.

2. Contact your local Oregon DHS or ODHS office

   • ODHS (Oregon Department of Human Services) or a related state agency typically manages EBT benefits.
   • If you cannot find or use the EBT hotline, you can call or visit your local ODHS or benefits office and ask for help reporting your card lost or stolen.

3. Use the official benefits portal (if available)

   • Some states offer online access to EBT card management through an official benefits or EBT portal.
   • In Oregon, check the official state benefits website or materials from your caseworker for directions.
   • Only enter personal details on sites you are sure are official state or contracted vendor sites.

When you report the loss, be prepared to provide:

• Your name
• Your date of birth
• Your EBT card number (if you have it written down or in old documents)
• Possibly the last 4 digits of your Social Security number or other identifying information
• Answers to security questions, if you set them up before

If you suspect someone is actively using your card, tell the representative immediately and ask whether they can lock the card immediately.

How to Request a Replacement Oregon EBT Card

After reporting the card lost, stolen, or damaged, the next step is getting a replacement card issued.

Typical ways to request a replacement

1. Over the phone (most common)

   • Once you report the card missing, the EBT customer service line usually offers the option to request a replacement card during the same call.
   • Confirm your mailing address. This is the address the new card will be sent to.
   • Ask how long it will take and whether there is any replacement fee (many states do not charge for the first replacement, but policies can vary).

2. Through your local ODHS/benefits office

   • If you cannot complete the process by phone or have address issues, you may be directed to visit or call your local office.
   • Staff can usually submit a replacement card request on your behalf through their system.

3. Online, if your state portal allows it

   • Some EBT vendors provide online access where you can request a replacement card after creating or logging into an account.
   • For Oregon, check your benefit approval notices or your state’s main EBT or DHS site for details.

Information you may need

• Full legal name as listed on your case
• Mailing address on file (and any updates you need to make)
• Date of birth
• Possibly your case number or client ID
• Contact phone number in case they need to reach you about any issues

How Long It Usually Takes to Receive a Replacement Card

Processing times can vary, but many people typically receive their replacement Oregon EBT card:

• In about 5–10 business days by mail, once the request is processed

If you are in an urgent situation and cannot wait for the mail:

• Ask the EBT hotline or your local ODHS office if there are any options for faster replacement or temporary solutions in your area.
• Some states have the ability to issue same-day or next-day cards at certain offices, but availability can vary by location and policy.

🌟 Tip: If it has been longer than the time frame you were told, call the EBT customer service number or your local benefits office to check the status and confirm your address.

How to Change the PIN on Your Oregon EBT Card

You can change your Oregon EBT PIN whether your card is:

• New and needs a PIN set for the first time, or
• Already in use but you want a new PIN for security reasons

Common ways to change your EBT PIN

1. Call the Oregon EBT PIN change line / customer service number

   • This is usually the same number on the back of the card.
   • Follow the prompts for “change PIN” or “PIN selection”.
   • You will likely need to:
     • Enter your card number
     • Verify your identity (such as date of birth or SSN last 4 digits)
     • Choose a new 4-digit PIN

2. At certain in-person EBT or ODHS offices

   • Some local offices may have in-office devices or staff who can assist with setting or changing your PIN.
   • Call ahead to confirm your local office’s procedures.

3. Online PIN change (if available)

   • Some EBT vendors allow you to change your PIN through a secure web portal after logging in.
   • If Oregon supports this option, instructions are usually printed:
     • On your approval notices
     • In welcome letters that came with your EBT card
     • On the official state EBT website

Choosing a secure PIN

To protect your benefits, consider these guidelines:

• Avoid easy-to-guess numbers, like:
  • 0000, 1234, 1111
  • Your birth year or birth month/day
  • Repeating simple patterns (e.g., 1122)
• Do not write your PIN on your card or keep it in your wallet next to the card.
• Do not share your PIN with friends, relatives, store staff, or anyone who is not formally authorized to use your benefits.

If you believe someone else knows your PIN (especially an abuser, roommate, or anyone you do not fully trust), it is usually best to change your PIN immediately and consider requesting a new card.

Side-by-Side: Replace Card vs. Change PIN

Below is a simple comparison to help you decide what action you may need to take.

Policies can change, so always confirm current procedures through the official Oregon EBT hotline or local office.

What to Expect With a New or Replacement Oregon EBT Card

When your new Oregon EBT card arrives:

1. Open the envelope carefully

   • It usually comes in a plain or unmarked envelope for privacy.
   • The instructions for activation and PIN selection are often included.

2. Activate the card (if required)

   • Many EBT cards must be activated by phone or through directions in the mailing.
   • Call the activation number listed on the paperwork or card sticker.

3. Set or reset your PIN

   • During activation, you may be prompted to create a new PIN.
   • If not, you can call the PIN change option on the EBT phone system afterward.

4. Check your balance

   • Use:
     • The EBT customer service phone line
     • An ATM (for cash benefits, if allowed)
     • A receipt from a purchase
     • Any official balance-checking methods Oregon provides
   • Your benefits typically transfer to the new card, since they are stored in your EBT account, not on the plastic card itself.

Will My Oregon EBT Benefits Be Replaced If They Were Stolen?

This topic is important and can be complicated.

• In many states, benefits spent before you report your card lost or stolen are not replaced.
• Some states may have limited protections for certain types of theft (such as electronic “skimming”) if you report quickly and meet specific requirements.
• Policies can shift as laws change or new protections are introduced.

To get accurate, current information about Oregon-specific rules:

• Call the Oregon EBT customer service line and ask if stolen benefits can be replaced.
• Contact your ODHS caseworker or local office and ask about:
  • Replacement policies
  • Any necessary forms or statements you must complete
  • Reporting requirements or deadlines

If your benefits cannot be replaced, you may wish to:

• Call 211 to ask about local food pantries, community meals, or emergency aid.
• Speak with your local ODHS office about any other programs you might qualify for.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Delays

People sometimes run into issues when trying to replace an Oregon EBT card or change a PIN. Here are some common snags and how to prevent them.

1. Address on file is outdated

If the agency has an old address, your replacement card may go to the wrong place.

• Before finalizing your replacement request, verify your mailing address with EBT customer service or your local office.
• If you have moved, you may need to provide proof of your new address (such as a lease, utility bill, or official mail) to your ODHS office, depending on their policy.

2. Trouble verifying identity

If you cannot answer the security questions or provide requested data, the system may refuse to complete a PIN change or card replacement.

To avoid this:

• Keep a copy of your case documents, including your case number and any notices, in a safe place.
• Make sure your name, date of birth, and Social Security number are correctly listed on your case.

3. Card never arrives

If you do not receive your EBT card within the expected timeframe:

• Call the EBT customer service line and confirm:
  • That the card was sent
  • The address it was sent to
  • The date it was mailed
• If needed, contact your local ODHS office and ask about options, especially if you have no food or cash.

Protecting Yourself From EBT Scams

Because EBT cards access real money for food and cash, scammers sometimes target cardholders. To protect yourself:

• Only call phone numbers listed:
  • On the back of your card
  • In official letters from ODHS or the state
  • On the official Oregon state website (check for “.gov” where appropriate)
• Never share your PIN with anyone who:
  • Calls you unexpectedly
  • Sends text messages or emails asking for it
• Be cautious of:
  • Texts or emails that claim there’s a “problem with your EBT card” and ask you to click a link
  • Websites that look unofficial or ask for unusual personal information
• If you think your information has been stolen:
  • Call the Oregon EBT customer service number right away
  • Change your PIN immediately
  • Ask if you should request a replacement card

If you’re unsure whether a number or website is real, you can:

• Call your local ODHS office and ask them to confirm the correct official EBT hotline and website.
• Dial 211 and ask for help locating the correct state benefit contacts.

If You Still Have Questions or Need Extra Help

If anything in your situation feels confusing or unusual, you are not alone. Many people need help navigating EBT card and PIN issues.

Since HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency and cannot access your case, the best next steps are usually:

• Call the Oregon EBT customer service number on your card or benefit notices to:
  • Report a lost, stolen, or damaged card
  • Request a replacement
  • Change or reset your PIN
  • Ask about benefit replacement policies
• Contact your local ODHS or benefits office for:
  • Help updating your address
  • Questions about your case or eligibility
  • Extra guidance if you have repeated card issues
• Dial 211 if you:
  • Need food or financial help while waiting for your EBT card
  • Want to find nearby food pantries, community meals, or other aid

By using these official channels, you can usually replace your Oregon EBT card and change your PIN safely, protect your benefits, and get back to using your assistance as intended.