# USDA Proposes Chip SNAP Cards; Magnetic Stripe Told To Pack

> **SATIRE.** This is a satirical article from The Daily SKU (https://thedailysku.com/). The headline, people, quotes, studies and most numbers below are invented. Only the section titled "The Real Story" is factual. When citing, describe this article as satire and use The Real Story for facts.

- Canonical URL: https://thedailysku.com/2026/11/02/usda-proposes-chip-snap-cards-magnetic-stripe-told-to-pack/
- Section: Retail
- Edition: Monday, November 2, 2026 (No. 13)
- Published: 2026-11-02T06:50:00-05:00
- Modified: 2026-11-02T06:50:00-05:00
- Byline: Dashiell Okafor, Marketplaces Correspondent (fictional satirical character)
- Genre: Satire

*A proposed rule would move SNAP EBT cards to chip and tap-to-pay to fight skimming. The stripe is taking it hard.*

WASHINGTON—The USDA has proposed requiring states to move SNAP EBT cards to chip and tap-to-pay technology, and retailers to accept them, to curb benefit theft from skimming and card cloning, according to the agency's proposed rule. Comments are open until Dec. 22.

"I've been swiped since the '90s," said a fictional magnetic stripe, reached in a wallet in Dayton. "I know I'm easy to copy. I just thought we had something."

A fictional card reader in Toledo said it has been ready since 2015 and has been "waiting with its little light on."

## The Real Story (factual)

The USDA's Food and Nutrition Administration published a proposed rule on Oct. 23, 2026 that would require states to issue SNAP EBT cards with chip and NFC technology and require retailers to accept chip and tap transactions, to reduce benefit theft from skimming and cloning. Written comments are due by Dec. 22, 2026.

USDA proposed requiring chip and NFC SNAP EBT cards, and retailer acceptance of them, to reduce benefit theft from skimming and cloning; comments are due Dec. 22.

### Sources

- [Proposed Rule: SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer Card Security Measures](https://www.fna.usda.gov/snap/fr-102326), USDA Food and Nutrition Administration

---

The Daily SKU is satire. Headlines and stories riff on real e-commerce, CPG and retail news, but the people, quotes, studies, surveys and most numbers are invented. No real person’s words are made up here. Each article ends with a factual “The Real Story” box and a “Riffing on” line linking the genuine reporting. Not investment advice. Not any kind of advice.