How To Use Your EBT Card After You Qualify For Food Stamps

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In this guide to community resources, I will teach you how to make use of an EBT card.

If you’re approved for food stamps you’ll need to learn how you can use your EBT as well as your food stamps to pay for food items each month.

What Is An EBT Card?

EBT is an acronym for Electronic Benefits Transfer. You’ll be issued an EBT card once you’ve been accepted to apply for Food Stamps, also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or temporary assistance benefits. It’s akin to an ATM card.

How Does An EBT Card Work?

Every month, the Family Support Division (FSD for short) will charge the benefit amount that you are eligible for on your EBT card, allowing you to utilize it to buy items you require. If you have Food Stamp benefits, you are able to use the benefits of your food stamp card to purchase food items as well as seeds or plants to grow food.

Using Your EBT Card

If you already have a state-issued EBT card that you’ve utilized in the past and the FSD will add the benefits on your current food stamp card within 24 hours of when the benefits are approved.

If you do not already have an EBT card You’ll be sent a brand new card via mail around 7 days after you’ve been approved for benefits. You’ll receive a PIN or personal identification number by mail just a few days after.

Using Your EBT Card In The Grocery Store

To utilize the EBT credit card in any ATM machine or in a store check-out line, simply swipe or insert your card, then enter your PIN into the keypad. It is possible to use your card at any terminal or ATM with the following emblems: Quest, Star, and Shazam. Let’s discuss the security of your PIN for a moment.

Protecting Your EBT Pin Number

It’s vital to keep your pin private.

If anyone outside of your family discovers the PIN you have entered, they can utilize your food stamp card and spend your rewards without your consent! If this occurs then the FSD cannot be used to replace the amount they have spent.

Being Locked Out Of Your Food Stamp Card

Your PIN is a second security feature. In the event that four incorrect PIN numbers are entered for your EBT card, it will become “locked” till midnight on the night. The card will not be available for use until the next day. to use it until the next day, which includes the cardholder.

These security features ensure your card’s security. If you wish to change your PIN at any time, you can visit the website EBTedge.com or contact food stamp Card Customer Service at 1-800-997-7777.

Items That You Cannot Buy With Your Food Stamp Card

After we’ve discussed PINs, here’s a second thing to be aware of…

Certain items aren’t permitted to purchase through the EBT Card. If you use your benefits for the items listed above, you’ll need to pay back the amount towards the Federal Savings Bank.

Here are some of the places and things to avoid:

Liquor stores for buying alcohol.

Gaming businesses, casinos (including bingo halls), or purchasing lottery tickets.
Entertainment for adults in which performers don’t wear their clothing or take their clothes off to entertain like strip clubs or gentlemen’s clubs, as well as locations that are mostly utilized by those who are aged 18 or over that, are not in the interest of your children or others in your household, like places where you can buy cigarettes or other controlled substances without a prescription from your doctor.

Definitely avoid using your food stamp card at any of these locations or you could end up repaying for those purchases or worse have your food stamp card revoked altogether.

How To Get Questions Answered About Your Food Stamp Card

Contact EBT Card Customer Support at 1-888-977-7777, visit EBTedge.com to verify the amount of cash you have on the EBT credit card. You can also call the office of your local food stamp.

Conclusion

After you have been accepted for food stamps, you will receive the EBT Card. With the card, you can make purchases for food every month.

Making use of the EBT Card can be a very simple procedure. It operates exactly like a debit card, which means that when you make a purchase, money is deducted from your account.

If you are unsure about how to make use of an EBT card, contact the nearest food stamps office. You can call the EBT customer support number 800.997.7777 or visit EBTedge.com.

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Nick Bryant

Nick Bryant is the author of Understanding Healthcare Is Half The Battle and a Senior Counselor with 13+ years of experience working in community health and mental health. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching WWE on Friday nights, and working toward a Google Data Analytics certification. If you have additional questions about community resources or government assistance programs, simply leave a comment below and he will follow up as soon as possible.