USDA Proposal Would Require Chip and NFC Security for SNAP EBT Cards
USDA has proposed requiring state SNAP agencies to issue chip- and NFC-enabled EBT cards and retailers to accept those transactions. The estimated $283 million in one-time costs across fiscal years 2028–2029 could create demand for card issuance, payment processing, POS upgrades, and support, but is not a defined procurement budget. Comments are due December 22, 2026.