The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has introduced chip and tap (Chip EMV/Tap) technology into new EBT cards that are set to roll out in January.

The Kings County Human Services Agency has issued an urgent message to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) merchants about a major upgrade to the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card system that will aim to reduce benefit theft and increase security.

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has introduced chip and tap (Chip EMV/Tap) technology into new EBT cards that are set to roll out in January.

The first-of-its-kind system was implemented after a wave of electronic benefit theft incidents requiring the department to upgrade its existing magnetic stripe-only EBT card to also feature Chip EMV and Tap Pay technology.

Merchants that accept SNAP EBT must now update their Point of Sale (POS) terminals to support new features.

In order to process SNAP EBT sales, merchants must:

• Enable the 220 service code immediately: This code allows terminals to process magnetic stripe transactions while the new features are being introduced
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• Update POS terminals before January 2025: POS Terminals must support Chip EMV/Tap technology to continue processing EBT transactions
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• Ensure Compatibility with the new EBT AID: Merchants should start accepting the AID (A0000000044542) for new EBT cards. The California BIN will remain unchanged
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• Route transactions for online approval: Ensure that transactions are routed to be approved online instead of processed through Stand-In, which may increase merchant liability

 

A total of 243 Kings County merchants will be affected by the change, including 125 in Hanford, 60 in Lemoore, 27 in Corcoran and 31 additional stores located in outlying cities.

Merchants are urged to contact their POS provider or processor when possible to implement the changes. Some POS providers may issue test cards available to assist in preparations.

Merchants unable to receive a test card through their POS provider should contact EMV.Testcards@fisglobal.com or EBTChip@nationalgrocers.org.