How to Replace a South Dakota EBT Card and Change Your PIN

If you use an EBT card in South Dakota for SNAP (food assistance) or other benefits, losing your card or forgetting your PIN can be stressful. This guide walks you through how to replace a South Dakota EBT card and change or reset your EBT PIN, and what to expect along the way.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an independent information site. It is not a government agency, benefits office, or application portal. To get a replacement card or change your PIN, you will need to use official South Dakota and EBT program channels.

Understanding Your South Dakota EBT Card

An Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card works like a debit card. South Dakota uses it to give eligible households access to benefits such as:

• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, sometimes called food stamps)
• In some cases, cash assistance or other state-managed benefits

You use your EBT card and 4‑digit PIN to:

• Pay for groceries at authorized stores
• Check your balance at ATMs or store terminals (for some benefit types)
• Access cash benefits (if your household receives them)

Because your EBT card and PIN connect directly to your benefits, it’s important to know how to protect them and how to get help quickly if something goes wrong.

When You Should Replace Your South Dakota EBT Card

In South Dakota, you would typically ask for a replacement EBT card if your card is:

• Lost or stolen
• Damaged (cracked, unreadable stripe, chip not working, etc.)
• Not working at stores or ATMs
• Never arrived in the mail after you were approved

If your card is lost or stolen, it’s important to act quickly. Once you report the problem through the official EBT hotline or your local benefits office, they can usually freeze the old card so no one else can use it.

Step-by-Step: How to Replace a South Dakota EBT Card

Most South Dakota card replacements follow these basic steps.

1. Call the Official EBT Customer Service Number

On most cards in South Dakota, there is a toll-free EBT customer service number printed on the back. If you do not have the card anymore, you can usually find the number:

• On official South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) materials or letters
• On the state benefits website or EBT information page
• By calling your local county benefits office and asking for the EBT hotline

When you call:

• Choose the option to report a lost, stolen, or damaged card
• Be prepared to verify your identity, usually with:
  • Your name
  • Your date of birth
  • Your address
  • Possibly the last 4 digits of your Social Security number
  • Other details that match your case records

Once your identity is confirmed, the system or the representative can deactivate your old card and order a replacement EBT card.

2. Confirm Where Your Replacement Will Be Mailed

Typically, replacement cards are mailed to the address on file with your benefits case. The EBT hotline or your local office can tell you:

• Which address is currently on file
• Whether you can update your address (in many states, this must be done through your local DSS office or online benefits account, not through the EBT hotline)

If your mailing address has changed, ask what you must do to update it officially before the new card is sent. Some people need to:

• Call or visit their local county benefits office, or
• Log in to the official state benefits portal to update their address

If the address is wrong and not updated, your card may be sent to the wrong place and delayed.

3. Ask About Timing and Any Fees

In many places, a standard replacement EBT card:

• Is mailed within a few days
• Arrives in about 5–10 business days, depending on mail speed and location

Some states may charge a small replacement fee after a certain number of lost cards. Policies can vary by state and over time. Ask the EBT hotline or your South Dakota DSS office:

• If there is any fee for your replacement
• How long it should take to arrive
• Whether there is any way to expedite the card (not all areas offer this)

How to Change or Reset Your South Dakota EBT PIN

Your PIN (Personal Identification Number) is the 4‑digit code that lets you use your EBT card. You should never share your PIN with anyone who is not officially allowed to use your card.

You may need to change your EBT PIN if:

• You forgot it
• You think someone else knows it
• You simply want a more secure or easier-to-remember code

Common Ways to Change an EBT PIN in South Dakota

Processes can change, but most South Dakota cardholders can change their PIN through one or more of these:

1. Using the EBT Customer Service Phone System
2. Using an official EBT website or portal (if South Dakota participates in a multi-state EBT cardholder portal)
3. Contacting your local DSS office for help

1. Change Your PIN by Phone

Most EBT cards have instructions on the back of the card for PIN changes. Typically, you:

1. Call the toll-free EBT number.
2. Choose the menu option for "PIN change" or "select or reset PIN."
3. Enter your card number.
4. Confirm your identity (for example, by answering automated prompts).
5. Enter a new 4-digit PIN and confirm it when prompted.

Tips for choosing a PIN:

• Avoid easy guesses like 1234, 1111, or your birth year.
• Do not use numbers that are publicly known, such as your address.
• Pick something memorable to you but hard for others to guess.

2. Change Your PIN Online (If Available)

Some states use an online cardholder website where you can:

• View EBT balances
• Review recent transactions
• Change your PIN

If South Dakota uses such a portal, you may need to:

• Create an online account with your card number and personal details
• Log in and choose the option to update or change your PIN

If you are unsure whether South Dakota offers an online cardholder website, you can:

• Call the EBT customer service number and ask
• Check the official South Dakota DSS website for EBT cardholder tools

3. Get Help Through Your Local Benefits Office

If you are not comfortable using the phone or online systems, you can usually:

• Call your local county DSS office and ask how to change your PIN
• In some areas, visit in person and request assistance using the official EBT phone line from the office

Office staff usually cannot see your PIN, but they can guide you through the official PIN reset process.

Quick Comparison: Replace Card vs. Change PIN

What to Expect After You Request a Replacement EBT Card

Once you request a replacement through the official EBT number or your local office:

• Your old card is usually deactivated to prevent further use.
• Your current balance and future deposits stay connected to your EBT account, not the physical card.
• A new card is printed and mailed to the address on file.

How Long Will It Take?

Typical timelines can vary, but many people report:

• Processing time: 1–3 business days before it is mailed
• Mailing time: 3–7 additional business days, depending on where you live

If you have not received your card within the time frame given by the hotline or DSS:

• Call the EBT customer service number to see if it was mailed
• Confirm your mailing address with your local South Dakota DSS office

Common Issues and How to Handle Them

1. Someone Used Your Benefits Without Permission

If your EBT card was stolen or your PIN was compromised, and benefits were used before you could report it:

• Call the EBT hotline immediately to report the problem.
• Ask your local DSS office whether there is a formal process to report suspected theft or unauthorized transactions.
• Some areas have limited ways to review or dispute EBT transactions, but policies vary and are often strict.

Even if benefits cannot be restored, reporting quickly helps protect future deposits.

2. Card Never Arrived After Being Approved

If you were recently approved for SNAP or another benefit and never received your first card:

• Contact your local South Dakota DSS office to confirm:
  • Your case is active
  • Your mailing address is correct
  • A card was actually sent
• Then call the EBT customer service line (if instructed) to request another card if needed.

3. Card Not Working at the Store

If your card is being declined:

• First, check:
  • Did you enter the correct PIN?
  • Do you have enough balance for that purchase?
  • Are you at an authorized EBT retailer?
• If everything seems correct:
  • Call the EBT hotline to check for card or system problems.
  • Ask if you need a replacement card.

Documents and Information You May Need

When replacing your EBT card or changing your PIN, you typically do not need to submit a full set of documents again. But you may need to verify your identity using:

• Your name as it appears on your case
• Your date of birth
• Your case number (if you know it)
• The last 4 digits of your Social Security number
• The address on file

Having this information ready before you call can make the process smoother.

How to Confirm You’re Using Official South Dakota Channels

Because EBT benefits involve your personal data and access to food and cash benefits, it’s important to avoid scams.

Use these checks:

• Phone numbers: Only call numbers found on:
  • The back of your EBT card
  • Official letters from South Dakota DSS
  • The state’s official government website
• Websites: Official portals usually:
  • End in “.gov” or are clearly listed on a state DSS website
  • Do not ask you to pay to apply for SNAP or for basic EBT help
• No fees for basic help: You should not have to pay third parties:
  • To apply for SNAP
  • To replace your EBT card
  • To change your PIN

If you are uncertain whether a phone number or website is official:

• Call your local county DSS office directly using a number from a printed notice or the state government site.
• You can also dial 211 in many areas to be connected with local assistance and information services, which can help you find the correct official office.

If You Do Not Qualify for SNAP or Are Waiting on a Card

If you are facing food hardship while waiting for a replacement South Dakota EBT card, or if you do not qualify for SNAP, you might consider:

• Local food pantries or food banks
• Community meal programs or soup kitchens
• Religious or community organizations that provide groceries
• Calling 211 to ask about food assistance resources in your area

These resources usually work separately from SNAP and EBT but can help bridge the gap during delays or denials.

If you need to replace a South Dakota EBT card or change your PIN, your next step is to contact the official EBT customer service hotline or your local South Dakota Department of Social Services office. They are the only sources that can actually stop an old card, issue a new one, or update your PIN.