As SNAP benefits continue to get stolen, cardholders can now lock their cards

Stolen funds from EBT cards are a consistent problem, and a consistent concern among SNAP benefit holders.

The state is giving card users the ability to lock their card after each use to help prevent benefits from being stolen.

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This comes as the federal funding to reimburse stolen funds dried up at the end of 2024. It's a problem many people in Connecticut say they've experienced.

"I was devastated. Cause I’m thinking, how am I gonna eat?” April Pongonis, of Watertown, said.

Pongonis woke up the morning of the Sept. 3 ready to grocery shop for the month. That's when she was shocked to see her balance at zero.

"There's nothing I could do about it,” Pongonis said.

Her benefits were stolen, and she said she was tol