EBT Card Allows You to Buy Nutritions and Other Items With Your Cash Benefits
EBT or the Electronic Benefits Transfer Cards or Common Benefit Identification Cards (CBIC) are electronically systematic cards that process the disbursement of benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
It is the primary system that was used by the beneficiaries of SNAP to receive their respective benefits and use it. It replaced the food stamps which were used before for the benefits of SNAP.
The Electronic Benefits Transfer Cards became effective and efficient upon the disbursement of benefits through the said program.
Originally, the Electronic Benefits Transfer is part of the Personal Responsibility Work Reconciliation Act of the 1996 Federal Welfare Reform.
It discussed that food stamps are too expensive in all aspects such as manufacturing, distribution, and destruction. So, it suggests that electronic systems can be a convenient way of processing benefits.
As the law passed, all states of the United States have implemented the Electronic Benefits Transfer since October 2002.
In addition, the Electronic Benefits Transfer Cards became the sole method of disbursement of benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in June of 2004.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
The
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a program of the federal government of the United States that provides food and nutrition assistance for families in need.
It prioritizes low-income families, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities upon receiving benefits.
Moreover, its main objective is to support and assist each family throughout the United States to maintain food stability.
The process of providing benefits within this program is through Electronic Benefits Transfer Cards. Each eligible beneficiary has one EBT Card which can be used to purchase appropriate foods within the authorized groceries and farm markets.
This program was handled by the local government units of states, counties, cities, and territories of the United States.
How do EBT Cards work?
After an individual becomes eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the state government that handles the program will issue an EBT Card for the individual.
The card will be used throughout the distribution of the benefits from the said program. The state agency will deposit the benefits of an individual within their EBT Card account at the beginning of the month.
Beneficiaries can use the benefits from the program by purchasing foods within authorized groceries and markets by using their respective EBT Card. The cycle will repeat as long as the individual is a beneficiary of the SNAP.
How to Use EBT Card?
• Always check your account balance before using your EBT Card.
• Verify whether the store accepts EBT Cards.
• Within checkout, just swipe the EBT on the machine.
• Perform the indicated instructions on the machines such as entering your PIN.
• Enter the purchase amount. Mostly, the machine will automatically enter it but the cashier or you can also enter the purchase amount.
• Make sure that the deducted amount from your EBT Card is the same as the grocery receipt.
• f you encountered problems upon purchasing by using your EBT Card, report the damage to the EBT Customer Service at 1-888-328-6399 and request a mailed replacement card.
How to Check the Balance of Your EBT Card?
There are various ways how to check the balance of your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card. It is important to know your balance to avoid such problems especially before purchasing food. Refer to the ways below on how to check your balance.
1. Check it through the ConnectEBT Mobile App on your phone.
2. Visit the EBT website and check your balance.
3. Call EBT Customer Service at 1-888-328-6399.
4. Check it through food stores.
5. You can also check your balance within ATMs that accept EBT cards.
Electronic Benefits Transfer Website
The Electronic Benefits Transfer system has a website where EBT cardholders can get more information about the system. Visit the
EBT official website and log in with your valid card number and PIN to access it. The said website can help individuals to conduct different activities related to EBT Cards, these are the following.
• Check your cash and SNAP balance information.
• Review the transaction history for the past 15 months of the EBT Card.
• Have a request to print a statement of account history for the past 2 months.
• Change the PIN of your EBT Card.
• Report the damaged or inappropriate activities within your EBT Card.
What is the ConnectEBT Mobile App?
ConnectEBT Mobile App is an application for mobile phones that can be used to monitor the Electronic Benefits Transfer Card of a person. It is convenient and reliable for providing information regarding EBT. Individuals can monitor their respective EBT anytime and anywhere.
Below are some of the features of the ConnectEBT Mobile Application.
• Check the available balance of the EBT Card.
• Review the transaction history for the past 12 months of the EBT Card.
• Confirm deposit transactions of your EBT Card.
• Change the PIN of your EBT Card.
However, the ConnectEBT Mobile App does not support all of the states in the United States.
Refer to the list below or the list of states where the said application is available.
• Arkansas
• Iowa
• Illinois
• Maryland
• Maine
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Utah
• Virginia
Steps use ConnectEBT Mobile Application.
1. Open the ConnectEBT Mobile Application.
2. Register EBT Card.
3. Select your User ID and Password.
4. Wait for the registration process until it will be successful.
