Modernizing EBT Security Is Long Overdue. Policymakers Can’t Just Mandate It; They Need to Pay for It.

<div class="header alignfull header--article header--min-height-full has-background has-tonal-black-background-color"> <div class="header__layout"> <div class="header__content"> <div class="header__metadata"><div class="header__metas"><div class="header__meta header__meta--taxonomy header__meta--tax-category"> Blog Posts</div></div></div> <h1 class="header__title has-h3-variant">Archives</h1> <div class="header__metadata"><div class="header__metas"><div class="favorite-block"> <button class="favorite" data-id="322726" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" /></svg></button></div> <div class="header__meta header__meta--date"> October 26, 2026</div> <div class="header__meta header__meta--taxonomy header__meta--tax-program_tax"> Financial Security Program</div></div></div> </div> </div> <figure class="header__media" role="presentation"> </figure> </div> <div class="wp-block-group has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow" style="margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small)"> <div class="wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0a3ccd44 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="border-top-color:var(--wp--preset--color--tonal-black);border-top-width:8px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);flex-basis:33.33%"> <div class="post-people"> <div class="post-people__person"> <figure class="post-people__headshot"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="200" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tebbe-Kira-edited-1-300x200.jpg" class="attachment-mobile size-mobile" alt="" srcset="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tebbe-Kira-edited-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tebbe-Kira-edited-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tebbe-Kira-edited-1-1500x1000.jpg 1500w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tebbe-Kira-edited-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tebbe-Kira-edited-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tebbe-Kira-edited-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tebbe-Kira-edited-1-1635x1090.jpg 1635w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tebbe-Kira-edited-1-1600x1067.jpg 1600w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tebbe-Kira-edited-1-1013x675.jpg 1013w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tebbe-Kira-edited-1-1014x676.jpg 1014w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </figure> <div class="post-people__info"> <h3 class="post-people__name"> <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/kira-tebbe/" class="post-people__link"> Kira Tebbe </a> </h3> <p class="post-people__position"> Senior Manager, Benefits Transformation Initiative </p> </div> </div> <div class="post-people__person"> <figure class="post-people__headshot"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="300" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Shaw-Tim-e1712528991378-300x300.jpg" class="attachment-mobile size-mobile" alt="" srcset="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Shaw-Tim-e1712528991378-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Shaw-Tim-e1712528991378-800x800.jpg 800w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Shaw-Tim-e1712528991378-1500x1500.jpg 1500w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Shaw-Tim-e1712528991378-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Shaw-Tim-e1712528991378-768x768.jpg 768w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Shaw-Tim-e1712528991378-1090x1090.jpg 1090w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Shaw-Tim-e1712528991378-1200x1200.jpg 1200w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Shaw-Tim-e1712528991378-675x675.jpg 675w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Shaw-Tim-e1712528991378-676x676.jpg 676w, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Shaw-Tim-e1712528991378.jpg 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </figure> <div class="post-people__info"> <h3 class="post-people__name"> <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/tim-shaw/" class="post-people__link"> Tim Shaw </a> </h3> <p class="post-people__position"> Director, Benefits Transformation Initiative and Senior Policy Advisor </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="border-top-color:#1b162130;border-top-width:2px;border-right-style:none;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-style:none;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-style:none;border-left-width:0px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);flex-basis:66.66%"> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The U.S. Department of Agriculture&#8217;s <a href="https://www.fna.usda.gov/snap/fr-102326">new proposed rule on Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card security</a> marks an important step toward bringing the security of SNAP benefits in line with the protections Americans experience with their credit and debit cards.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The proposed rule would require states to transition to chip-and-tap EBT cards, strengthen account security, and improve the tools available to households to monitor and protect their benefits. These are long-overdue improvements to a system that has remained vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated criminal activity.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">This movement by USDA to establish stronger national standards is an important step toward finally providing EBT cardholders the security they need to protect their SNAP and other critical benefits. But setting a federal requirement alone will not deliver these solutions. Policymakers must also address the question that has held back EBT security modernization for years: Who will pay for it?</p> </div> </div> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots" style="margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small)"/> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h2 id="h-the-evidence-for-investing-in-ebt-security-is-clear" class="wp-block-heading has-h3-variant">The evidence for investing in EBT security is clear</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Two essential stakeholders depend on EBT cards to deliver public benefits: the cardholder and the taxpayer. EBT theft harms both.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">For households relying on SNAP to afford groceries, stolen benefits can mean an empty account when they reach the checkout line, with devastating consequences for their food security. For taxpayers, it means public dollars intended to help families afford food are instead going to criminals.</p> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-bcd03f6c wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex" style="margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-right:0;padding-left:0"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <div class="statistic statistic--size-medium"><div class="statistic__layout"><strong class="statistic__value" style="font-size:var(--wdg-font-size-h1)"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-light-color">$470</mark></strong><span class="statistic__suffix"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-dark-color">million</mark></span></div><div class="statistic__description"> <p class="has-small-variant wp-block-paragraph">in SNAP benefits stolen in 2025</p> </div></div> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <div class="statistic statistic--size-medium"><div class="statistic__layout"><strong class="statistic__value" style="font-size:var(--wdg-font-size-h1)"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-light-color">990,000</mark></strong><span class="statistic__suffix"></span></div><div class="statistic__description"> <p class="has-small-variant wp-block-paragraph">households affected</p> </div></div> </div> </div> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The scale of the problem is substantial. According to <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/food-stamp-snap-benefits-theft-skimmers-fraud">data from Propel reported by ProPublica</a>, an estimated $470 million in SNAP benefits was stolen electronically in 2025, affecting more than 990,000 households.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Fortunately, states that have invested in modern security measures are already seeing promising results. <a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/01/16/california-reduces-theft-of-food-and-cash-benefits-by-83-with-state-of-the-art-technology/">California reported an 83 percent reduction</a> in EBT theft between January 2024 and November 2025, following the introduction of chip-and-tap cards and other fraud-prevention measures. More recently, <a href="https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press-releases/maryland-reduces-benefit-theft-71-following-rollout-fraud-resistant-chip-and-tap-ebt-cards">Maryland reported a 71 percent decrease</a> in stolen benefit reimbursements during the first three months of its chip card rollout, compared with the same period in 2025. These results demonstrate what is possible when states have the resources and capacity to modernize their systems.</p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow" style="margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0"> <p style="padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium)" class="has-h4-variant wp-block-paragraph"><em><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-light-color">Two essential stakeholders depend on EBT cards to deliver public benefits: the cardholder and the taxpayer. EBT theft harms both.</mark></em></p> </blockquote> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The scale of the investment is also worth putting in perspective. USDA estimates approximately $283 million in one-time implementation costs across state agencies, the federal government, households, and businesses for the proposed rule (though this estimate does not account for additional ongoing costs). Compare that with the estimated $470 million stolen from SNAP households <em>last year al</em>one. Investments in more sophisticated EBT security have the potential to save significant taxpayer funds year-over-year. </p> <h2 id="h-states-cannot-fund-ebt-security-alone-nbsp" class="wp-block-heading has-h3-variant">States cannot fund EBT security alone&nbsp;</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">For states, the challenge is not recognizing the need for stronger EBT security, but finding the resources to implement it. Modernizing EBT payment systems is a complex and costly undertaking, requiring states to upgrade technology, negotiate changes with EBT processors, coordinate with retailers, and help cardholders navigate new security features without disrupting access to benefits.&nbsp;</p> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-bcd03f6c wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex" style="margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-right:0;padding-left:0"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <div class="statistic statistic--size-medium"><div class="statistic__layout"><strong class="statistic__value" style="font-size:var(--wdg-font-size-h1)"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-light-color">58</mark></strong><span class="statistic__suffix"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-dark-color">%</mark></span></div><div class="statistic__description"> <p class="has-small-variant wp-block-paragraph">of states have shifted resources away from other priorities to meet OBBBA requirements.</p> </div></div> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <div class="statistic statistic--size-medium"><div class="statistic__layout"><strong class="statistic__value" style="font-size:var(--wdg-font-size-h1)"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-light-color">13</mark></strong><span class="statistic__suffix"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-dark-color">%</mark></span></div><div class="statistic__description"> <p class="has-small-variant wp-block-paragraph">of states have delayed EBT chip card implementation.</p> </div></div> </div> </div> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">And while the proposed rule would establish new requirements, it does not come with dedicated federal funding to help states meet them. States would be expected to undertake significant modernization efforts at a time when their budgets are already stretched thin. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) increased states’ share of SNAP administrative costs from 50 to 75 percent, introduced new and expanded work requirements for SNAP and Medicaid that demand costly systems changes, and created a new requirement for states with high SNAP payment error rates to cover a portion of benefit costs. States are already making difficult tradeoffs.&nbsp; According to a <a href="https://aphsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06_APHSA-State-SNAP-Survey-Results.pdf">survey of 39 states</a> by the American Public Human Services Association, 58 percent of responding states reported shifting resources away from other priorities to improve payment accuracy, including 13 percent that had delayed EBT chip card implementation or related investments.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">State fraud investigators have raised similar concerns about the lack of funding. In <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ucowf-statement-ugcPost-7519090316201590784--aph/">an October 22 statement</a>, the United Council on Welfare Fraud applauded USDA&#8217;s efforts to modernize EBT security but warned that imposing these requirements without additional funding would place a significant burden on states already struggling to fund fraud prevention.&nbsp;</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">That is why congressional action matters. USDA can set new security requirements, but only Congress can provide the funding to turn those requirements into reality. Congress should closely examine the full costs of modernization, the capacity of states and their technology partners to meet new requirements, and what federal resources would be needed to make implementation and ongoing sustainment successful.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">This is particularly important because chip-and-tap cards, while essential, are not the only security measures missing from EBT cards. Financial institutions routinely use additional tools to protect transactions for credit and debit cards, including real-time fraud detection and transaction blocking, which can stop suspicious purchases before money leaves an account.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">At the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program, we are working with states to pilot <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/financial-security-program/our-priorities/financial-stability/bringing-proven-financial-safeguards-to-ebt-cardholders/">real-time transaction blocking (RTTB)</a> for EBT, using philanthropic funding to help cover implementation costs and provide technical assistance. Expanded EBT security features will never reach nationwide coverage, however, unless federal policymakers find a way to finance EBT security not just for existing measures such as chip-and-tap cards and RTTB, but also for additional security features that will inevitably be needed when criminals find new ways to steal beneficiary and taxpayer dollars.&nbsp;</p> <h2 id="h-real-priorities-require-real-resources" class="wp-block-heading has-h3-variant">Real priorities require real resources</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">USDA&#8217;s proposal represents meaningful progress. Establishing modern security standards across SNAP can help close a gap that has left millions of households vulnerable to theft. But a regulation alone cannot pay for new cards, upgrade payment infrastructure, or give states the capacity to implement and maintain stronger security systems.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Congress now has an opportunity to examine the investment required to make these improvements a reality, including how to support states in adopting additional proven fraud-prevention tools and finance them in the long term. In doing so, lawmakers can eliminate taxpayer waste and fraud, states will get the resources they need, and families across the country will be able to put food on the table.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">When something is broken, we fix it. It’s common sense. With hundreds of millions of dollars in public benefits being stolen each year, the cost of inaction deserves as much attention as the cost of modernization.</p> </div> </div> <div class="card-slider alignfull has-grid-spacing-small" style="margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small)"><div class="card-slider__nav"> <h2 id="h-related" class="wp-block-heading has-h4-variant">Related</h2> <button type="button" class="card-slider__go card-slider__go--back" aria-label="Previous"> <svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-arrow-left" role="img" focusable="false" height="0" width="0"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-arrow-left"/></svg> </button> <button type="button" class="card-slider__go card-slider__go--forward" aria-label="Next"> <svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-arrow-right" role="img" focusable="false" height="0" width="0"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-arrow-right"/></svg> </button> </div> <div class="card-slider__content"><div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/north-stars-in-a-moment-of-constraint/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2048" height="1365" src="https://media-content.aspeninstitute.org/Content/Public/Financial%20Security%20Program/2026%20-%206%20-%20BTI%20Forum/2-0117.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="North Stars in a Moment of Constraint" style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Blog Posts</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/north-stars-in-a-moment-of-constraint/">North Stars in a Moment of Constraint</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">States working with the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program put forward a shared set of &#8220;North Stars&#8221; that define good public benefits delivery. Amid challenges to our benefits system, these North Stars are more important than ever.</div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="316633" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>September 9, 2026</time></p><ul class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__people"><li class="dyn-card__person"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/tim-shaw/">Tim Shaw</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/assessing-benefits-screeners/" tabindex="-1"> <div class="dyn-card__image-placeholder"> <span class="a11y">Placeholder</span> </div> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Publications</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/assessing-benefits-screeners/">Bridging the Information Gap: How Organizations Can Assess and Use Benefits Screeners</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">Benefits screeners are a popular tool for increasing benefits access. This report offers a framework for benefits leaders to understand the role screeners play and assess their effectiveness. </div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="250574" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>July 1, 2026</time></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/young-adults-public-trust-benefits/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Aspen-Institute-PCCP-Event-March2026_321-1500x1001.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="From Band-Aids to Stepping Stones: How We Can Rebuild Young Adults’ Trust in Public Benefit Systems" style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Blog Posts</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/young-adults-public-trust-benefits/">From Band-Aids to Stepping Stones: How We Can Rebuild Young Adults&#8217; Trust in Public Benefit Systems</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">Young adults today are coming of age in a volatile economic and political environment. We spoke with 12 young people about how they are navigating the transition to adulthood and what it means for public trust more broadly.</div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="199276" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>April 30, 2026</time></p><ul class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__people"><li class="dyn-card__person"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/grace-castelin/">Grace Castelin</a></li><li class="dyn-card__person"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/bianca-lopez/">Bianca Sofia Lopez</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/young-adults-navigating-benefits-obbba/" tabindex="-1"> <div class="dyn-card__image-placeholder"> <span class="a11y">Placeholder</span> </div> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Publications</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/young-adults-navigating-benefits-obbba/">OBBBA’s Impact on Young Adults and 5 Strategies to Support Them</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">Young adults are grappling with sweeping changes to the U.S. benefits system under OBBBA. This paper illustrates these impacts and offers recommendations that can help young adults.</div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="173355" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>April 22, 2026</time></p><ul class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__people"><li class="dyn-card__person"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/sheida-isabel-elmi/">Sheida Isabel Elmi</a></li><li class="dyn-card__person"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/bianca-lopez/">Bianca Sofia Lopez</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/strengthening-benefits-delivery-with-mike-wilkening/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1500" height="999" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/TS8_0380-1500x999.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Leading with Empathy: Strengthening Benefits Delivery with Mike Wilkening" style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Blog Posts</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/strengthening-benefits-delivery-with-mike-wilkening/">Leading with Empathy: Strengthening Benefits Delivery with Mike Wilkening</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">Mike Wilkening&#8217;s work as a public servant has followed a simple philosophy: government in service of its people. In this blog, he shares more about his leadership approach and his position as an Aspen FSP Fellow.</div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="161901" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>December 8, 2025</time></p><ul class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__people"><li class="dyn-card__person"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/mike-wilkening/">Mike Wilkening</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/how-financial-shocks-continue-to-undermine-family-financial-security/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1500" height="844" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Generic-web-header-2-1500x844.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="A Persistent Challenge: How Financial Shocks Continue to Undermine Family Financial Security" style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Blog Posts</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/how-financial-shocks-continue-to-undermine-family-financial-security/">A Persistent Challenge: How Financial Shocks Continue to Undermine Family Financial Security</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">Most households experience at least one financial shock in a given year, but there are few comprehensive solutions to help them. How can we solve this persistent challenge?</div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="156782" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>October 30, 2025</time></p><ul class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__people"><li class="dyn-card__person"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/sheida-isabel-elmi/">Sheida Isabel Elmi</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/worker-financial-security-workplace-benefits/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1500" height="844" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Generic-web-header-1-1500x844.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Beyond Income: Worker Financial Security and the Role of Benefits Inside and Outside of the Workplace" style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Blog Posts</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/worker-financial-security-workplace-benefits/">Beyond Income: Worker Financial Security and the Role of Benefits Inside and Outside of the Workplace</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">U.S. workers need access to both public and workplace benefits, but often the connections between these benefits are fractured.</div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="155266" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>October 9, 2025</time></p><ul class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__people"><li class="dyn-card__person"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/sheida-isabel-elmi/">Sheida Isabel Elmi</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/videos/we-dont-have-to-choose-between-stability-and-wealth/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1500" height="844" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Generic-web-header-1500x844.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Video: We Don’t Have to Choose Between Financial Stability and Wealth" style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Blog Posts</span> <span>Videos</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/videos/we-dont-have-to-choose-between-stability-and-wealth/">Video: We Don&#8217;t Have to Choose Between Financial Stability and Wealth</a></h2><div class="dyn-card__excerpt">Households need tools that help them afford everyday life and build long-term security. Too often, policy systems fail to respond to both of these needs and instead prioritize one goal over the other.</div><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="153917" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>September 30, 2025</time></p><ul class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__people"><li class="dyn-card__person"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/tim-shaw/">Tim Shaw</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/designing-for-people-with-people/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Copy-of-Civilla-laughing-with-group-1500x1000.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Designing for People, with People: Julia Dale on Creating Benefits Systems that Work" style="object-position: 50% 76%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Blog Posts</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/designing-for-people-with-people/">Designing for People, with People: Julia Dale on Creating Benefits Systems that Work</a></h2><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="149532" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>August 16, 2025</time></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card"> <div class="dyn-card__wrap"> <div class="dyn-card__media"> <figure class="dyn-card__image"> <a class="dyn-card__image-link" href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/unlocking-access-cash-transfer-programs-for-ssi-recipients/" tabindex="-1"> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1500" height="872" src="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/SSI-brief_Graphic_3-1500x872.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Unlocking Access: Mitigating Benefits Loss to Improve Cash Transfer Programs for SSI Recipients" style="object-position: 50% 50%" /> </a> </figure> <div class="dyn-card__label"> <span class="has-meta-variant">Publications</span> </div> </div> <div class="dyn-card__content"> <h2 class="dyn-card__title has-h5-variant"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/unlocking-access-cash-transfer-programs-for-ssi-recipients/">Unlocking Access: Mitigating Benefits Loss to Improve Cash Transfer Programs for SSI Recipients</a></h2><p class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__date"><button class="favorite" data-id="145452" data-state="" title="Favorites are not currently available" disabled><span class="favorite__on">Unfavorite</span><span class="favorite__off">Favorite</span><svg class="svg svg--svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark" role="img" focusable="false" height="15" width="11"><use xlink:href="#svg-assets-svg-icon-bookmark"/></svg></button><time>July 29, 2025</time></p><ul class="dyn-card__meta dyn-card__people"><li class="dyn-card__person"><a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/sheida-isabel-elmi/">Sheida Isabel Elmi</a></li><li class="dyn-card__person">Kimberly Drew</li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>The post <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/usda-rule-ebt-security-investment/">Modernizing EBT Security Is Long Overdue. Policymakers Can’t Just Mandate It; They Need to Pay for It.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.aspeninstitute.org">Aspen Institute</a>.</p>