Oklahoma Launches Chip-Enabled SNAP EBT Pilot Program

Five-county trial aims to improve security and convenience for food assistance recipients.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Oklahoma Human Services (OHS) agency is launching a new two-month pilot program to test chip-enabled EBT cards for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in five counties across the state, starting on March 16.

Why it matters

The new chip-enabled EBT cards are intended to enhance security and convenience for SNAP recipients, who rely on the food assistance program. This pilot will help OHS evaluate the feasibility of rolling out the technology statewide.

The details

The chip-enabled EBT cards will be tested in five Oklahoma counties during the two-month pilot. The new cards are designed to be more secure than traditional magnetic stripe cards, reducing the risk of fraud or theft. SNAP recipients in the pilot areas will be able to use the cards at participating retailers to purchase eligible food items.

  • The pilot program will launch on March 16, 2026.
  • The pilot will run for two months.

The players

Oklahoma Human Services (OHS)

The state agency responsible for administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Oklahoma.

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What’s next

After the two-month pilot, OHS will evaluate the results and determine whether to expand the chip-enabled EBT cards statewide.

The takeaway

This pilot program aims to modernize Oklahoma's SNAP EBT system, improving security and convenience for the thousands of residents who rely on food assistance benefits.