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2025 Session

Budget Amendments - SB800 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: Favola
Transition EBT Cards to Chip Cards

Item 334 #2s

Item 334 #2s

First Year - FY2025 Second Year - FY2026
Health and Human Resources
Department of Social Services FY2025 $2,050,000 FY2026 $2,000,000 GF
FY2025 $2,050,000 FY2026 $2,000,000 NGF

Language
Page 451, line 52, strike "$158,254,539" and insert "$162,354,539".
Page 451, line 52, strike "$154,429,417" and insert "$158,429,417".

Page 453, after line 45, insert:

"F. Out of this appropriation, $2,050,000 the first year and $2,000,000 the second year from the general fund is provided to transition electronic benefits transfer cards to chip cards to combat fraud."



Explanation

(This amendment provides $2.1 million GF the first year and $2.0 million GF the second year and $2.1 million NGF the first year and $2.0 million NGF the second year to transition electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards to chip-enabled cards. Over the past 8 months, Virginia's EBT program has reimbursed nearly $1.0 million monthly to individuals whose EBT benefits were stolen from their card. The federal government previously provided funds to replace the stolen funds, but that ended in December 2024. Chip card technology, which is more secure, is available and ready for implementation, but must be funded by the Commonwealth, with a 50.0 percent match from the federal government.)