Federal help will no longer replace cash from Kansas individuals who have had their Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits stolen through card skimming.
Due to a significant federal provision that expired on December 20, 2024, the Kansas Department of Children and Families (DCF) announced on Friday, February 7, 2025, that benefits that have been stolen by card skimming cannot be refunded.
Many Kansans were left without a way to reclaim their stolen benefits since the American Relief Act did not extend this clause, which permitted the restoration of stolen cash.
Because of this, the DCF is urging anyone impacted by the skimming occurrences to get help. For assistance in obtaining food and other necessary resources, victims of benefit theft are encouraged to contact the United Way by phoning 211.
Those in need of assistance can also apply online for assistance.
The agency has made it plain that residents will have to look for local resources to handle their circumstances as the federal assistance that previously assisted victims in recovering their stolen monies would no longer be available.
After it was discovered that a number of Kansas EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) cardholders had been impacted by card skimming devices, the recommendation to use local resources was made.
Hundreds of EBT cardholders were unable to access their money after at least two skimming devices were identified in the Kansas City metro region.
The DCF has advised EBT cardholders to take precautions to protect their benefits moving forward in order to stop additional theft.
One important suggestion is that cardholders use the ebtEDGE Cardholder Portal or the ebtEDGE app, which are both offered by Fidelity Information Services.
With the help of these tools, customers may keep an eye on their accounts for any unusual activity and take appropriate action to protect their money.
Several features are included in the app and site to assist safeguard cardholders’ accounts, including:
Freezing the EBT card when not in use: In order to stop fraudulent transactions, cardholders can freeze their EBT card. However, they must remember to unfreeze the card before making a purchase.
Blocking online and out-of-state transactions: Users can block online or out-of-state transactions, which they must unblock in order to make purchases in those categories.
Frequently changing their PIN: To make it more difficult for thieves to figure out, cardholders are advised to utilize secure number combinations and to change their four-digit PIN on a frequent basis.
Following the extensive impact of skimming devices discovered in the state, officials are recommending these security steps in an effort to stop similar instances in the future and guarantee that Kansas residents can safeguard their benefits.
Many Kansans may find themselves in a challenging situation as a result of the loss of federal replacement funding, but the DCF and other state officials are trying to increase knowledge of the services that are available and the actions that can be taken to prevent additional theft.
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Residents are given the resources they need to deal with the fallout from skimming and keep accessing vital services by using the ebtEDGE app and online and contacting neighborhood groups like the United Way.
Click HERE to learn more about Kansas’s SNAP and TANF benefits.
