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HR 9359

Ending Stolen SNAP Benefits Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Brian Fitzpatrick and 1 co-sponsor

Establishes a federal framework to reissue SNAP benefits stolen by identity theft or skimming and funds transitioning to chip-enabled EBT cards with state-approved plans.

Introduced in House
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9359

Overview

  • Bill: HR 9359 — Ending Stolen SNAP Benefits Act of 2026
  • Session: 119th Congress
  • Purpose: Amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to create a process for reissuing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that are stolen through identity theft or standard skimming, and to advance a transition to chip-enabled EBT cards with cost-sharing for states.
  • Introduced: June 18, 2026 (sponsored by Rep. Meng, with Rep. Fitzpatrick as co-sponsor)

Main Purpose and Intent

  • Provide a statutory framework for reissuing SNAP benefits that are stolen due to identity theft or typical card skimming.
  • Establish rules and procedures for states to reissue stolen benefits to affected households.
  • Promote the adoption of chip-enabled EBT cards and outline federal cost-sharing to assist states with the transition.
  • Improve security and accessibility of SNAP benefits while reducing the burden on victims.

Key Provisions and Changes

  1. Reissuance of Stolen Benefits

    • Amends Section 7 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to add authority for the reissuance of benefits stolen by identity theft or skimming, alongside existing “mail” provisions.
    • Requires regulations to govern the identification and reissuance process, with an emphasis on minimizing burden on victims.
    • Regulations must establish criteria and best practices for state agencies to identify and reissue stolen benefits.
    • States can reissue stolen benefits to the same household, subject to the Secretary’s approval of the state’s transition plan (see below).

  2. Regulatory Framework and Reporting

    • The Secretary must issue regulations implementing reissuance of stolen benefits, aligned with related statutory authorities from a 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act provision (Public Law 117–328), but without the usual limitations in specified subparagraphs.
    • The regulations must:
      • Allow reissuance for benefits stolen due to identity theft or skimming.
      • Establish criteria and best practices for state agencies.
      • Permit state reissuance once the state’s transition plan is approved.
    • Reporting requirements:
      • Within 240 days of issuing regulations, the Secretary must report on the status of reissued benefits, including prevalence and barriers to access, and evaluation of an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card with embedded microchip technology.
      • A separate “Tolen Benefits Reissuance Report” due within 120 days after end of each fiscal year, detailing, for each state, the aggregate value of reissued benefits and the number of households affected.
      • A periodic valuation process to improve security and accessibility of EBT cards, updating regulations as technology evolves.

  3. Transition to Chip-Enabled EBT Cards (Cost Sharing for States)

    • Amends Section 16 to create an administration cost-sharing program for transitioning from magnetic-stripe to chip-enabled EBT cards.
    • Federal share: States would receive 90% of documented administrative costs for the transition, including:
      • Card issuance strategies and up-front vendor costs.
      • System design, testing, and implementation.
      • Education and outreach in multiple languages.
      • Other necessary administrative fees to implement chip cards.
    • State planning and approval:
      • States must submit transition plans to the Secretary for approval, ensuring recipients retain access during the transition.
      • The Secretary has a 90-day decision window to approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove plans. If no action is taken, plans are deemed approved.
    • Sunset: The transition cost-sharing provision sunsets on September 30, 2031.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Beneficiaries/Households: SNAP participants whose benefits are stolen due to identity theft or skimming would be eligible for reissuance, reducing financial loss and disruption of benefits.
  • State Agencies administering SNAP: Directed to implement reissuance processes and manage the transition to chip-enabled EBT cards; eligible for substantial federal cost-sharing to cover transition costs.
  • SNAP Admin and Retailers: Security and usability improvements, including potential adoption of chip-enabled EBT technology and embedded security measures.
  • Federal Government: Requires rulemaking, annual and periodic reporting, and oversight of state transition plans and implementation.

Procedural and Timeline Highlights

  • Regulations on stolen-benefit reissuance: To be issued by the Secretary following the bill’s enactment, with guidance on criteria, reissuance procedures, and transition approvals.
  • Status and impact reporting:
    • First status report due within 240 days of regulation issuance.
    • Ongoing annual and end-of-year reports detailing reissued benefit totals and affected households.
  • Chip-card transition cost-sharing:
    • States submit transition plans for approval; action by the Secretary within 90 days.
    • If no action within 90 days, plans are deemed approved.
    • Provision sunset date: September 30, 2031.

Summary

HR 9359 would establish a federal framework to reissue SNAP benefits stolen through identity theft or skimming, with state participation enabled through approved transition plans. It also creates a federally funded incentive program to move SNAP EBT cards from magnetic-stripe to chip-enabled technology, aiming to bolster security and reduce theft, while requiring regular reporting on theft prevalence and transition progress. The bill envisions a phased, time-bound approach with a defined sunset for the chip-transition provisions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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