WAG 22-02-06: Replacing Cash due to EBT Electronic Theft

PM 22-02-06

  • The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (the Omnibus), signed into law December 29, 2022, allows for the replacement of stolen EBT SNAP benefits to victims of card skimming, cloning, and scamming through fraudulent phone calls, text messaging, phishing and other similar fraudulent methods, if certain eligibility requirements are met. See PM 22-03-02. 
  • Illinois Link Cash benefits are not eligible for replacement at this time.
  • new manual textBenefits received under the P-EBT and VTTC programs cannot be replaced under the law.
  • new manual textWhen an EBT electronic theft claim is filed for replacement of Cash assistance, Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits and/or Victims of Trafficking, Torture, or other Serious Crimes (VTTC) benefits, the FCRC worker sends Form IL444-0370 with the denial reason: Benefits received under these programs cannot be replaced (PM 22-02-00). 

Note: The law does not change current federal regulations prohibiting replacement of SNAP benefits lost due to a customer's mishandling of their EBT card and PIN. See PM 22-01-01-j.