New Jersey households on food stamps have 90 days from the day a new chip EBT card arrives to activate it, and the old card stops working 60 days after the new ones are issued. Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha announced on Sept. 10 that chip cards are available statewide, and the state’s press release sets out both clocks. New Jersey runs food stamps, the federal SNAP program, through the same card that also serves participants in Work First New Jersey.
Two clocks, two lengths
The release puts it this way: cardholders have 90 days from receiving the new card to activate it, and current cards expire 60 days after the new cards are issued. The two periods overlap. A household that waits the full 90 days would find the old card already dead for a month.
The state’s chip card page, last modified Sept. 16, spells out the penalty for waiting. A chip card that is not activated within 90 days deactivates, and the cardholder must request a replacement before using benefits. Fees may apply. The page also says the old and new cards cannot be used at the same time, and that benefits carry over to the new card…