If you receive public assistance in Alabama, the Department of Human Resources issued you an Electronic Benefits Transfer card that works like a debit card and lets you access your benefits. If this card is lost or stolen, you must report it as soon as possible.
Requesting a Replacement Card
Since Alabama uses the EBT card for Medicaid as well as food and cash assistance, you must call the appropriate number to cancel your lost card. For Medicaid, the toll-free number is 1-877-391-4757. For all other benefits, call 1-800-997-8888. This automated system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The system will ask you to enter your card number, but if you wait on the line you will hear additional options, including making a request for a replacement card.
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When you request a replacement card, your old card is immediately disabled and your benefits are protected from that moment. If you applied for benefits with an authorized representative and she has an EBT card with access to your account, her card will still work even though yours has been cancelled. If you need to replace her card as well, you have to cancel it separately. As of publication, Alabama does not charge a fee for replacement cards.
Receiving a Replacement Card
After you call the appropriate number, Alabama DHS mails your replacement card to the address on file. If you've recently moved or the address in the system is incorrect, you must call your case manager as soon as possible and have the address corrected before your card is mailed so it will go to the right place.
Expect to receive your replacement card within five to seven business days. You can call the same customer service line you used to make the request to check on the status of your request. When you receive your replacement card, you can begin using your benefits again as soon as you call the number on the card and activate it -- DHS transfers your old PIN to your replacement card.