DHS launches security feature allowing SNAP users to digitally lock EBT cards

Yahoo

19-05-2025

May 18—WILKES-BARRE — The Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) this week launched a new security feature that allows Pennsylvanians who receive public benefits to lock their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card when not in use to prevent those benefits from being stolen.
EBT cards are used for benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other cash benefits.
"When someone's SNAP benefits are stolen from their EBT card, that means they may not be able to feed themselves or their families that month," said DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. "That is unacceptable. DHS has been working diligently with our partners in OSIG to ensure that the benefits we administer stay with the Pennsylvanians who need them."
DHS and OSIG are aware of recent instances of SNAP theft in Pennsylvania and nationwide, especially in incidents of card skimming, where SNAP benefits are stolen off EBT cards after they are used at a point-of-sale machine with an attached skimming device. The new card lock feature is one way individuals can protect their EBT cards while they are not in use. DHS continues to refer suspected cases of SNAP theft to OSIG to further investigate.
"OSIG is committed to protecting Pennsylvania's public benefits programs," said State Inspector General Michelle Henry. "The new card lock feature is one way SNAP recipients can protect their benefits against theft and continue to put food on their table. OSIG is proud to partner with DHS on the announcement of the EBT card lock feature which provides an extra layer of security for these life-sustaining benefits."
Pennsylvania will offer a new EBT card-lock safety feature available through ConnectEBT. Locking an EBT card blocks all purchases, balance inquiries and transactions to keep benefits secure. EBT cardholders should always lock their card when it is not in use, then simply unlock before making a purchase, officials said.
SNAP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients can lock and unlock their EBT cards using the free ConnectEBT app, available on Apple and Google Play app stores, or via the Connect EBT website.
Upon creating or logging into their ConnectEBT app or website user account, recipients can tap the Lock/Unlock Card button.
There are two options for the card lock feature:
—"Lock My Card Everywhere" will prevent all types of purchases, including in-store and online purchases.
—"Lock My Card Outside PA" will prevent all purchases at stores outside Pennsylvania but will still allow purchases in Pennsylvania and will also allow all internet purchases.
Users should simply re-lock their card after use or use the auto re-lock feature to automatically re-lock the card 30, 60 or 90 minutes after unlocking.
Prevent card skimming
Skimming does not just happen immediately after a card is swiped; thieves often collect access information like a PIN and continue to steal benefits to maximize their gain. DHS urges benefit recipients to lock their EBT card and change their PIN monthly to further prevent theft.
Pennsylvanians are urged to take an extra look before swiping their card at a point-of-sale machine to ensure there is no skimming attachment.
Skimming devices, often called skimmers, are designed to blend in and deceive customers, but there are ways to identify a fraudulent device:
—Observe the size. Skimming devices are often placed over the legitimate card reader. Making them larger than legitimate card readers.
—Pull at the edges of the point-of-sale device before use. Skimming devices are often attached with glue or tape.
—Look for security stickers. Some legitimate devices may have a security label or holographic decal on the front or top of the card reader.
If your SNAP benefits are stolen from an EBT card, that theft should be immediately reported to local law enforcement and to OSIG by calling 1-800-932-0582.
Hearing on chronic absenteeism and truancy held
The Senate Education Committee held a public hearing on Monday, May 12, to examine the growing issue of chronic absenteeism and truancy in Pennsylvania schools and explore policy solutions to improve student attendance and long-term success.
The hearing featured testimony from a wide range of professionals, including representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the American Enterprise Institute, school counselors and administrators, magisterial district judges, and human services officials from Allegheny County.
Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver, R-Sunbury, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, thanks the testifiers for their insight and emphasized the importance of continued focus on the issue.
"Chronic absenteeism is often a sign that a student is facing challenges beyond the classroom — whether it's family instability, health concerns, or a lack of school engagement," Culver said. "Solving this issue requires early intervention, flexibility, and collaboration between schools, courts, and community-based services."
Culver said that input gathered during the hearing will inform future legislative efforts aimed at reducing absenteeism, supporting schools and families, and ensuring students have every opportunity to succeed.
Bill to combat construction worker exploitation passes
State Rep. Kyle Donahue, D-Scranton, this week announced that his legislation to crack down on the exploitation of construction workers through misclassification has passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
House Bill 721 would strengthen and expand the Construction Workplace Misclassification Act, originally enacted to combat the illegal practice of classifying employees as independent contractors to avoid paying benefits and protections guaranteed under state law.
"Misclassification cheats workers out of wages, benefits, and critical protections like unemployment and workers' compensation," Donahue said. "These are the same hardworking individuals doing the same jobs as properly classified employees, but they are denied the rights they deserve. This legislation brings fairness and justice to those workers."
The Keystone Research Center estimates that the misclassification of construction workers costs Pennsylvania taxpayers an estimated $83 million in lost workers' compensation premiums, $47 million in unpaid state income taxes, and $11 million in unemployment compensation taxes annually.
Additionally, a report from the Joint Task Force on Misclassification of Employees found that in 2021 alone, nearly 11,000 misclassified workers in Pennsylvania were injured or became ill on the job and were denied workers' compensation benefits. The task force also reported $91 million in lost revenue to the state's Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund.
"This isn't just about protecting workers — it's about protecting taxpayers and leveling the playing field for law-abiding contractors," Donahue said. "Construction jobs should be good, family-sustaining jobs. But when bad actors misclassify workers, everyone loses — except the dishonest employer."
House Bill 721 would implement several unanimous recommendations made by the task force and takes critical steps to strengthen enforcement.
The bill would:
—Increase penalties on contractors who knowingly misclassify employees.
—Empower the state Attorney General to investigate and prosecute cases of misclassification.
—Allow misclassified employees to bring civil action against their employers.
"With rising living costs and economic pressures, the last thing Pennsylvania workers should have to worry about is being robbed of their hard-earned wages and benefits," Donahue said.
House Bill 721 heads to the Pennsylvania Senate for consideration.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.