Governor Moore Unveils New Ad Campaign Highlighting New Fraud-Resistant EBT Cards
Updated:
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Moore today announced the next phase of the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) campaign to encourage Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cardholders to transition to new, more secure, fraud-resistant "chip-and-tap" cards.
“Everywhere we go, we hear from Marylanders struggling with the rising cost of living, so our administration is committed to providing relief to the communities that need it the most,” said Gov. Moore. “That’s why we are proud to be one of the first states to roll out these new cards and spread the word to ensure that Marylanders have secure access to the vital services they need to put food on the table.”
As of August 23, 2026, more than 294,000 of the nearly 507,000 recipients of the new “chip-and-tap” EBT cards–58%–have activated their new, more secure cards. Since the transition was first announced in May, customer emails, text messages, and a new central EBT updates landing page have resulted in more than 3.8 million customer touchpoints.
Now, DHS is expanding its outreach to the remaining Maryland households via its targeted “Don’t Wait, Activate” ad campaign across Meta platforms featuring Governor Wes Moore. Customers have until September 30, 2026 to activate their cards, when current “magnetic-stripe-only” cards will be deactivated. Current benefit balances will remain unchanged and transfer automatically.
“Maryland is proud to be one of the first states in the nation to introduce new EBT cards that are easier to use and better protect customer benefits from fraud,” said Acting DHS Secretary Stacy L. Rodgers. “These are new cards with new security features that let you access the same benefits. Let’s get them activated.”
These targeted ads are the latest in a series of steps DHS has taken to keep customers informed as it continues to make benefits easier to access and more secure. In July, Maryland became the fourth state in the country to introduce more secure EBT cards equipped with Europay, Mastercard, and Visa (EMV) chip-and-tap technology. The new cards include modern security protocols designed to better protect EBT customers and reduce fraud. Amid a national rise in "skimming" and other sophisticated theft tactics, EMV chip-enabled cards provide an additional security layer, helping prevent unauthorized parties from compromising customer data.
Earlier this month DHS launched a new interactive tool to connect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers with Maryland’s largest-ever network of SNAP workforce development partners. Last month, Maryland also released a data dashboard showing the impact of new federal restrictions on Marylanders’ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. As the federal government creates new barriers to food assistance, the Moore-Miller administration is taking these important steps to help eligible Marylanders keep and reconnect to their benefits.
Customers should also register for a new account on the ebtEDGE Cardholder Portal or download the ebtEDGE app for iOS or Android to manage their accounts more easily, although registration is not required for activation. Customers should not use third party apps to manage their benefits.
Customers experiencing issues, needing more information, or wishing to provide feedback can contact EBT Vendor Services directly at 1-800-997-2222. Customers can also find information about the transition and answers to frequently asked questions on our website at https://dhs.maryland.gov/ebt-updates/
About the Maryland Department of Human Services:
The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) is the state’s primary social services provider, serving more than one million Marylanders annually. Through its programs — including food assistance, cash support, child welfare, and energy assistance — DHS works to strengthen Maryland’s families and communities.
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