New design and features:

• Tomato design
•  Encrypted chip and tap-to-pay card technology
• Cardholder name and card number moved to back of card
• Expiration date and 3-digit card security code added
  • Expiration date is for card only. It is not an expiration date for benefits and does not impact your recertification timeline.
  • Expiration dates for chip/tap cards will be 5 years from card issuance date and a new card will be issued two months before the card expires.

New Design

Old Design

You must activate your new card as soon as possible by calling EBT Customer Service at 1-800-997-3333, online at NJFamiliesFirst.gov or in the ConnectEBT app.

When your new card is activated, you should destroy your old card.

Your existing SNAP or WFNJ benefits will automatically be added to your new card. 

Cumberland, Essex and Mercer counties - You must activate your new card by October 13, 2026 or you will need to contact your County Social Service Agency about getting a new card mailed to you.

All remaining counties - You must activate your new card by November 20, 2026 or you will need to contact your County Social Service Agency about getting a new card mailed to you. 

Your card will mail in a plain white envelope with a Kentucky return address, not from your County Social Service Agency.

If you haven't received your new card, check your mailing address on NJFamiliesFirst.gov or in the ConnectEBT app. If your address is incorrect, you can request an address change on MyNJHelps.gov or by contacting your County Social Service Agency before requesting a replacement card. 

Cards have been mailed to all cardholders.

Cards come in plain white envelope from Kentucky – not your local County Social Service Agency (CSSA).

If you haven't received your new card, check your mailing address on NJFamiliesFirst.gov or in the ConnectEBT app. If your address is incorrect, you can request an address change on MyNJHelps.gov or by contacting your County Social Service Agency before requesting a replacement card. 

Activate your new card as soon as possible.

Cumberland, Essex and Mercer cardholders, your old card will not work after September 13, 2026. You must activate your new card before October 13, 2026.

All other county cardholders, your old card will not work after October 20, 2026. You must activate your new card before November 20, 2026.

While you are encouraged to activate and use your new card when it arrives, your old card will still work until you activate your new card or for 60 days from the date your new card was issued. You cannot use both cards at the same time.

Cumberland, Essex and Mercer cardholders, your old card will not work after September 13, 2026.

All other county cardholders, your old card will not work after October 20, 2026.

Any benefits on your old card will automatically transfer to your new card when you activate it.

If you do not activate your new card by these dates, you must request a replacement chip/tap card. You will need to contact your County Social Service Agency to verify your address before a new card can be sent.

To activate by phone, you will need to provide the following:

• Your 16-digit EBT card number (for your new chip/tap card, not the old/current card)
• Full Social Security Number
• Date of Birth
• Card Security Code (CSC)
• Card Expiration Date

If your phone system hangs up during activation, you should try calling from a different phone number or try activating online at NJFamiliesFirst.gov or in the ConnectEBT app instead.

• Avoid background noise
• Do not use your speaker phone or car Bluetooth
• Call from a quiet place

If your phone system hangs up during activation, you should try calling from a different phone number or try activating online at NJFamiliesFirst.gov or in the ConnectEBT app instead.

To Activate Your Card online:

• Create or log in to your account on NJFamiliesFirst.gov.
• On the top left corner of the homepage, click on the “CARD” dropdown and then click “Change PIN.”
• Enter the following information and click “Submit”:
  • Your new card number
  • Your new card’s 3-digit code on the back on your card
  • Your new card’s expiration date
  • The last four digits of your social security number (SSN)
  • Date of Birth

During activation, you will need to choose a new PIN.

• Create or log in to your account on the ConnectEBT app. You will need to enter your Social Security Number to create an account.
• On the bottom of the home screen, press on “Settings.”
• Press on “Card PIN Selection” and enter your new card number. Press “Continue.”
• Enter the following information and press “Submit”:
  • Your new card number
  • Date of Birth
  • 3-digit security code
  • Card expiration date
• Press “Yes” when asked “Are you ready to select your PIN?”
• Enter your new PIN and press “Continue.” 

No, County Social Service Agencies cannot print replacement chip/tap cards.

If you need a replacement, you can request one by calling EBT Customer Service at 1-800-997-3333, online at NJFamiliesFirst.gov or in the ConnectEBT app.

Your County Social Service Agency can help you check or update your address if you have not received your card so you can request a replacement card be mailed to you.

No, benefits will automatically transfer to your new card. Activate your new card as soon as possible to use your benefits securely. 

No, your benefits will automatically transfer to your new card.

When checking out, you should insert the chip or use tap-to-pay when checking out. Using chip/tap is more secure than swiping your card. Follow the instructions on the screen at checkout or the ATM.

Check your account to make sure the card status is “Active” or “Active/Unlocked” and you have benefits in your account. If your card is locked, unlock it and try again.

If you have the new chip/tap card, you should prioritize using the chip or tap when making purchases. Try both tapping and inserting the chip.

If both tapping and inserting do not work, you have benefits available and your card is unlocked, you can swipe your card.

If you are still having an issue, call EBT Customer Service at 1-800-997-3333.

If you have the new chip/tap card, you must use chip or tap when making purchases. If the chip/tap card is not accepted by the retailer, you will be prompted to swipe your card.

At this time, replacement Families First EBT cards from your County Social Service Agency will not be chip cards. You will need to swipe until you receive a replacement chip card in the mail. These cards will only be made available for good cause.

• Change your PIN frequently.
  Change your PIN at least once a month, right before your benefits are issued. Do not share your PIN with anyone.
• Check your EBT account regularly for unauthorized charges. 
  If you see any unauthorized charges, change your PIN right away to stop the thief from making new purchases. Immediately contact your local County Social Service Agency to report your lost, stolen, or damaged card, report any suspicious activity, or if your benefits have been stolen.
• Lock your card when not in use.
  The most effective way to protect your benefits is by locking your card when not in use. Our lock/unlock feature “freezes” your benefits, helping to prevent any kind of skimming or theft. You can lock/unlock your card on NJFamiliesFirst.gov or on the ConnectEBT app.

• Step 1: Create or log into your account on NJFamiliesFirst.gov.
• Step 2: Under the “Card” dropdown, select “Lock/Unlock Card” or click the icon in the top right corner of the website.
• Step 3: Select “Lock Card Everywhere” and click “Submit.” Your current status will say “Locked Everywhere” when locked.

“Lock My Card (Outside of NJ)” means that your card will only be locked if you make any out-of-state purchases. Note that this is less secure and will not block any online transactions.

• Step 1: Create or log into your account on the ConnectEBT app.
• Step 2: Tap “Lock/Unlock Card.”
• Step 3: Select “Lock My Card Everywhere” to block all transactions and tap “OK.”

“Lock My Card (Outside of NJ)” means that your card will only be locked if you make any out-of-state purchases. Note that this is less secure and will not block any online transactions.