This information is current as of June 26, 2022. If you’re new to your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, you’ve probably swiped it a few times at your local grocery store.

You can enter your EBT card manually under certain conditions. Online EBT purchases allow for manual entry.

You may also have to provide the expiration date and three-digit CVV code. Some stores may require a manager to approve the manual entry.

EBT cards will be manually entered on two occasions. First, you’ll enter it if you’re completing an EBT online purchase.

You can use your EBT card for limited purchases online. You are still limited to SNAP-acceptable items when buying with EBT online.

When it comes down to it, an EBT card is just a debit card. You have three sets of numbers you will need to enter.

This is the most significant number on your card, and you’ll have to enter it exactly as you see it. Second, you’ll be asked for the expiration date listed on your card.

Finally, you’ll be asked for the CVV code. A CVV code stands for the Card Verification Value.

You can usually find this code on the white bar line on the back of your card. Once you enter all this information, you may also have to input your name, shipping address, billing address, if different than your shipping address, and email address.

Do note that if your online purchase requires a shipping fee, you’ll have to pay it with a second form of payment, like a personal debit or credit card. An EBT card will not cover these charges.

This means the cashier, or another employee, will need to “OK” the transaction before it occurs. If they call a supervisor to do this, don’t worry – it’s part of the procedure.

If necessary, they will type in the required information, including the 16-digit card number, expiration date, and CVV code. You will need to have your physical card on hand for this entry.

You may also be asked an ID to verify that the EBT card is under your name. Once the employee enters the card information, you may have to tell them or input your PIN.

You should only manually enter your EBT card information on safe websites or during a purchase at an official store. Do not enter your EBT card information on websites that are not official stores or government pages.

EBT cards can be used at thousands of stores and vendors across the U.S. Even if your EBT card is from one state, you can use it in others so long as you’re traveling and not moving.

You can use the online SNAP store locator to find EBT-accepting stores near you. Some popular EBT-accepting stores include:

You can get an EBT card if accepted into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. You can also get a replacement card if yours is damaged, lost, or stolen once in the program.

Many low-income families qualify for SNAP so long as they meet the income requirements. The application can be completed online or in-person and includes a short interview to confirm your application details.

This is the best way to freeze or cancel your EBT card so that your benefits aren’t used by someone else. You’ll receive a new EBT card in the mail, usually in 3-7 business days.

EBT cards can be manually entered for online or in-store purchases if the card reader machine isn’t working. You’ll always need your card handy – especially in-store – to enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV code.

Happy EBT shopping.

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Apply here to get started.

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Purpose. The POS device must be logged on to perform EBT transactions.

Purpose. Logs the current clerk off and prints clerk’s totals since logon.

Purpose. Allows an EBT cardholder to purchase qualified goods using his/her SNAP benefit account.

There are a number of different reasons a transaction can be denied. Each denied reason has its own code number which is defined in the Error Messages section of this manual.

Purpose. Manual entry of the EBT card number is allowed through the device if: • The magnetic stripe on the cardholder’s card is damaged.

NOTE: The EBT cardholder’s card must be present for manual entry.

Allows an EBT cardholder to return food and receive credit to his/her SNAP benefit account.

Each denied reason has its own code number, which is defined in the Error Messages section of this manual.

Allows an EBT cardholder to return food and receive credit to his/her SNAP benefit account. NOTE: The EBT cardholder’s card must be present for manual entry.

Purpose. Allows an EBT cardholder to purchase any goods using his/her cash benefit account.

Purpose. Allows an EBT cardholder to purchase any goods using his/her cash benefit account.

Purpose. Allows an EBT cardholder to withdraw cash from his/her cash benefit account.

There are a number of different reasons a transaction can be denied. Each denied reason has its own code number, which is defined in the Error Messages section of this manual.

Purpose. Allows an EBT cardholder to withdraw cash from his/her cash benefit account.

Purpose. Allows an EBT cardholder to get a printed receipt showing the balance in his/ her SNAP and/or cash benefit account(s).

Purpose. Allows an EBT cardholder to get a printed receipt showing the balance in his/ her SNAP and/or cash benefit account(s).

Purpose. Allows the retailer to void the last successful transaction performed on thePOS device.

The pandemic has caused more than a year of turmoil and trauma for everyone, but especially low-income families. While finances have been scant, thanks to EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) cards it’s still possible to put food on the table even amid these trying times.

A popular question that often comes up regarding EBT cards is, “How do I find my EBT card number online. ” Perhaps due to unforeseen circumstances, you’ve misplaced your EBT card but you still want to use your card number to make purchases.

Let’s dive into whether securing your EBT card number online is possible, what to do if you lose your EBT card, and how to check your account balance.

Even if you log into your EBT account for your respective state, you usually don’t have access to your full EBT card number. However, you can view your case number.

For safety and security reasons, it’s best not to have an internet cache wherein your private information is exposed.

Granted, you can buy food online i.e. on Amazon, Walmart and others, but you must have a copy of your EBT card in order to punch in the number.

That being said, if you’re seeking online access to your EBT card number because your physical card was lost or stolen, there is a way to remedy that.

However, those systems still will not show your full EBT card number for security reasons. They’ll usually only show the last several digits, just like they would with an ordinary debit or credit card.

Another thing that might help is using an app like Providers, which can be used to track your EBT balance. The app will show your balance, deposits and other important information about your EBT, WIC and debit accounts.

With EBT thefts on the rise, it’s important to keep your EBT card number secure. Some users have found it helpful to take a picture of the card or store the written number with other important documents (like birth certificates), but that does put your information at risk if you are hacked or if your information is stolen.

If you’re searching for your number online because you lost your card or it was stolen, there’s a solution. Call customer service for your respective state as soon as possible.

You can simply report your card as lost or stolen. Your card, wherever it is, will be disabled so nobody can hijack it.

At this point, knowing your EBT card number wouldn’t help you much anyway because that number will change when the new card is issued. That is important, because it helps keep your account safe from theft.

Now, in some places, you can receive a same-day replacement EBT card. However, you’ll be required to visit an EBT facility in person.

If you’re trying to search your EBT card number online because you wish to check your account balance, there’s also a way to do that. There are a myriad of methods at your disposal.

Typically, that will reveal your balance.

You can call your EBT card customer service number for more information as well. Click here to get a breakdown by state in terms of checking your EBT card balance.

The best thing to do if you need to have your card number on retainer is to write it down and stow it away in a safe place.

Electronic benefit transfer is a card-based system similar to a debit card that allows recipients of government assistance such as food stamps to pay retailers directly for their purchases. State governments provide benefits and track their use via the EBT system.

The EBT system has been in place since 2004 for payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in all 50 states. Its use is being phased in for other government nutritional programs as well.

Benefits recipients are issued a plastic payment card with a magnetic strip and a PIN. In addition to SNAP, programs using or being tested for use of EBT include the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Cash and food stamp benefits are deposited into electronic benefit accounts which can be accessed using a PIN number. The card can be used at EBT participating merchants as well as at ATM machines and point-of-sale (POS) terminals.

The Food Stamp Program was renamed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by Congress in 2008. Its programs are funded by the federal government but administered by the states, which work with contractors to procure their own EBT systems for the delivery of SNAP and other state-administered benefit programs.

When a recipient is approved for benefits, the state’s EBT contractor establishes an account, and the recipient’s SNAP benefits are deposited electronically in the account each month.

The processor verifies the PIN and the account balance and sends an authorization or denial back to the retailer.

No cash changes hands. No surcharges, sales taxes, or “processing fees” may be added to the accounts by federal law.

The card system is used by all SNAP benefit recipients and is being phased in for other benefits programs. The details vary by state.

In order to receive SNAP benefits you must meet certain eligibility requirements which vary by state. Eligibility is determined by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

Recipients can only use their EBT cards at qualified retailers. SNAP excludes certain types of goods such as food that is hot at the time of sale, alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, supplements, and any non-food items like pet food, cleaning supplies, or hygiene items.

Another federal program that uses the EBT card is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, better known as the WIC program. The WIC program protects the health of low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets.

For information on the WIC program, check the USDA’s website.

The Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) is one such program used by the federal government to respond to the needs of families impacted by the pandemic that utilizes the convenience of the EBT card.

Recently, the pandemic has proven that the convenience and speed at which eligible citizens can receive their benefits through EBT cards is a vital tool.

EBT cards function similar to debit cards, however, the funds loaded onto the card can only be used at certain retailers and for certain goods. An EBT or electronic benefits transfer card is a card with a magnetic strip issued to eligible citizens on which benefits for programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Cash Assistance are loaded.

each month recipients receive an allotted amount depending on their income and size of household and their balance decreases with every purchase. A certain amount of money—depending on the recipient’s income and size of household—is loaded onto the recipient’s cards each month, however, this money can only be used for certain goods, depending on the program.

It does not cover alcohol, tobacco, or vitamins, and health supplements. SNAP or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is the program whose benefits are loaded on an EBT card.

The Pennsylvania EBT ACCESS card is an industry-standard plastic card with a magnetic stripe giving recipients access to cash assistance, SNAP benefits, or Medical Assistance benefits (or any combination of them). Recipients get SNAP benefits electronically through point-of-sale (POS) terminals in authorized food stores.

Recipients can verify their eligibility for Medical Assistance through the online Eligibility Verification System (EVS).

The primary account number (PAN) is the 19-digit number printed on the front of the card. The PAN numbers are as follows:

The next nine digits are the eCIS recipient number. The 16th digit is the validation digit for the recipient number.

The last digit is the PAN validation number. The CAO must issue the initial EBT ACCESS card to the household member designated as the payment name.

EBT ACCESS cards should be issued centrally except for Expedited SNAP benefits, Authorized Representative cards, secondary cards, emergency situations, or the card is damaged. The CAO must tell the client that it will take seven to ten days to receive a centrally issued EBT ACCESS card.

The workstation connects the CAO to the EBT system through the Commonwealth’s network. This allows information to be transmitted between the EBT system and CIS and allows the CAO to make inquiries into the EBT system database.

NOTE: EBT cards may be created locally and mailed to the client from the CAO in the following circumstances: Expedited SNAP and emergency situations.

For new applicants, the CAO must first authorize benefits and CIS must assign a recipient number before an EBT card can be printed. CIS maintains a record of each card the CAO issues.

There are three card-issuance functions: Issuance of a primary card.

Issuance of a replacement card. There are three types of EBT cards:

Issuance of this card establishes the account on the EBT system. The CAO must always issue this card first.

The secondary cardholder must be an authorized and active member of the budget and be 18 years or older. This includes EE members The CAO must explain to the primary cardholder that the secondary cardholder has the same access to benefits as the primary cardholder.

The CAO must explain that the primary cardholder is responsible for the issued benefits if there is an overpayment. An AR card.

The recipient may authorize access to cash assistance or SNAP benefits or both. (See Chapter 505.).

After the CAO prints an EBT ACCESS card for the recipient, the recipient must choose a personal identification number (PIN) using the Xerox PIN select. The PIN is a four-digit code that the cardholder must use to begin a transaction at either a POS or ATM.

The PIN selection must be confidential. The CAO must provide an area where the recipient can select a PIN without being observed by others.

The CAO must also remind recipients that they have three chances to enter the correct pin when using their EBT card for a purchase. After three wrong tries, the EBT system locks the card and prevents any transactions until the next day unless the recipient selects a new PIN at the CAO or by telephone.

DHS issues replacements for lost or stolen cards centrally. A $2.50 card-replacement fee is taken from the client’s account.

The executive director or his or her designate must approve the request. The CAO must replace a client’s damaged EBT ACCESS card upon request, without charging a fee.

NOTE: Even though a case may be closed, the recipient needs the replacement card to access benefits still in the account. The CAO must complete an EBT Card Request form and get the recipient’s signature on the form.

(See the sample in Chapter 580, Appendix A.). The CAO must monitor card replacements when the recipient requests multiple replacements for lost or stolen cards.

The OIM supervisor must tell the recipient that illegal use of the card may result in disqualification and that further replacements will result in a referral to the Office of Inspector General (OIG). The CAO must not deny or delay a recipient’s request for replacement of the EBT ACCESS card.

The CAO suspects misuse.

The recipient asks for and gets more than four replacements of lost, stolen, or damaged cards in six months. The CAO must send card-replacement forms to the OIG at the address at the bottom of the form.

For more information on the EBT card replacement process, see the EBT Procedures Manual. NOTE: Only CAOs and district offices can replace the Pennsylvania EBT ACCESS cards.

There is no cost to replace the EBT ACCESS card for recipients who reapply for cash assistance or SNAP benefits after a break in eligibility. There is no cost to replace a damaged or defective card the recipient returns to the CAO.

The CAO must allow one replacement per payment name at no cost for cards lost or stolen during the period that the EBT account remains active. The CAO must charge a $2.50 replacement fee for all other lost or stolen cards that are replaced.

If the recipient has both a cash assistance and a SNAP account balance, the system deducts the $2.50 fee from the cash account. If the cash assistance balance is zero or the recipient has a SNAP-only account, the system deducts the fee from the SNAP account.

It must collect the fee through the EBT account. The CAO must use the override option to waive the fee in the situations described above where there is no fee.

NOTE: If the card-replacement fee is charged in error, the CAO must reimburse the recipient using supplemental benefit reason code 183. Benefits are available and accessible by recipients on the EBT system when the following conditions are met:

The recipient enters a PIN on the Xerox PIN device. and.

Several situations can happen when the CAO creates EBT accounts and issues EBT ACCESS cards. Each situation has a different effect on the availability of EBT benefits.

The CAO authorizes the benefit, issues the EBT card, and the recipient selects a PIN, all on the same day. For applicants, the benefit is available at 6:00 a.m.

The CAO authorizes the benefit on the first day, but the recipient does not get the card and PIN until the second day. The benefit is available after midnight on the second day.

An inquiry on the EBT system shows the card status as 00. This means the card has no PIN.

The Out of State EBT Card Usage Match is used to inform DTA about clients who have continuously and exclusively used their EBT cards in another state. DTA utilizes this match because continuous EBT usage in another state may indicate that the client is no longer residing in Massachusetts.

You can access this match in BEACON by clicking “Match History” and selecting “Out of State EBT Card Usage Match” in the Match group dropdown. You can review the details of each match by clicking “New Out of State EBT Card Usage Data” under the Discrepancy Type category.

The screenshot below displays the page that opens if you make a New Out of State EBT Card Usage Data selection. This page displays the match details, including each transaction date, state, food retailer, and amount:

For monitoring purposes, BEACON classifies EBT usage locations into three regions as follows: In-State – Massachusetts.

Out of Region – All the remaining states.

EAEDC, TAFDC, or combo (EAEDC/TAFDC and SNAP) households will appear on the Out of State EBT Card Usage Match if they use their EBT cards outside of Massachusetts exclusively for a period of 45 days or longer. If the out-of-state transactions are In Region, a data match specialist from the Program Integrity (PI) Unit will review the details of the card usage on the match view.

If the data match specialist determines that the client’s residency is questionable, they will send the client a Residency Verification Notice:.

If a household is coded in BEACON as homeless, the Residency Verification Notice will include additional language to accommodate homeless clients who have more difficulty obtaining verification of residency: “If you are a Massachusetts resident and do not have other proofs, you can send us a written statement about your residency.”.

They can provide a written and signed self-declaration of residency.

When a Residency Verification Notice is sent (automatically by BEACON or manually by staff), BEACON will add the following element to the Verification tab: Questionable Massachusetts Residency. BEACON will display the proper due date for the residency verification on this tab.

If the client verifies residency, the match must be dispositioned and a narrative must be written indicating that residency was verified. If the client does not verify Massachusetts residency during the verification time frame, BEACON will automatically close the case (25 days after the match appeared) for “Fail to submit required verifications” and disposition the match.

This will occur even though the IR only pertains to SNAP. Important.

If a valid, current reason has been entered in the Temporary Absence page, the TAFDC or EAEDC client will not appear on the Out of State EBT Card Usage Match. For more information, see Temporary Absence from MA – TAFDC, and/or Temporary Absence from MA – EAEDC.

Match Procedures for SNAP-only Cases. SNAP-only households whose certification type is Simplified Reporting, Simplified Reporting – 12 Months, EDSAP Reporting, or Simplified Reporting (Former EDSAP), will appear on the Out of State EBT Card Usage Match if they have exclusively used their SNAP benefits in an:

out-of-region state for at least 75 days, and are within their 45-day recertification or IR periods. Reminder.

This will occur even though the IR only pertains to SNAP.

If a SNAP-only household appears on the Out of State EBT Card Usage Match for In-Region transactions, a data match specialist from the PI unit will review the details of the card usage on their match view. If the data match specialist determines that the client’s EBT usage patterns are consistent with the shopping patterns of clients who reside near the Massachusetts border, the data match specialist will disposition the match.

For Simplified Reporting cases, PI unit staff will only be able to send the Residency Verification Notice during the household’s 45-day IR or recertification period.

If a SNAP-only household is within their 45-day reporting period (recertification or IR) and they appear on the Out of State EBT Card Usage Match for Out of Region transactions, BEACON will automatically send them a Residency Verification Notice.

SNAP-only clients who are sent a Residency Verification Notice during their recertification or IR period will be asked to provide verification by the end of the 45-day reporting period. However, if the end of the 45-day reporting period is less than 10 days away from the date the Residency Verification Notice is sent, the due date on the Residency Verification Notice will be 10 days from the date the notice is sent.

On this tab, BEACON will display the proper due date for the residency verification.

If a SNAP-only client does not resolve the Out of State EBT Card Usage Match during the 45-day recertification or IR period, you must not certify the case past the end of the reporting period. BEACON will automatically close the case following the regular recertification/IR closing procedures.

If the Out of State EBT Card Usage Match appears for in-region usage while there is a pending release to approve a recertification or IR, PI will review the match to determine next steps consistent with policy and procedure (e.g., asking for verification if the client’s location is questionable, dispositioning the match if the transactions are consistent with residing on the Massachusetts border, etc.).

If the pending approval for a recertification or IR releases before PI staff can review the match and/or send a Residency Verification Notice, PI will disposition the match and write a narrative that this information must be addressed at the next reporting period.

Safeguards. Auto-Dispositioning of Match When In-state Usage Resumes.

This will be displayed in the match details as Completed – Yes, By – System. A batch will also mark Questionable Massachusetts Residency in the Verification tab as verified.

Available Verification in Scanned Document History. During case maintenance, if a matched client was sent a Residency Verification Notice, BEACON will not automatically close the case if there are available documents in the Scanned Document History under the client’s name, provided that these documents were received on or after the date that the Residency Verification Notice was generated.

Staff Reminders. Whenever the Residency.

This information is current as of June 29, 2022. As one of the most popular gas stations across the United States, you may occasionally need to purchase items at a Shell gas station.

You can use EBT, SNAP benefits, or Food Stamps to pay for relevant items at Shell gas stations. The items you can pay for using an EBT card include bread, meat, and produce.

It’s helpful to know that Shell allows you to pay using EBT. First, however, you must know what to purchase and how to pay using your EBT card.

Wondering why Shell accepts or doesn’t accept EBT for specific products. First, we must understand Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Food Stamps.

1939 saw the beginning of the Food Stamps Program, and if you were part of it, you had the option of using paper food stamps to pay for food. Later in 2008, the Food Stamps Program became the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

saw the development of EBT, meaning that SNAP participants could pay for food the same way using a credit or debit card. EBT is an electronic system active in all 50 states.

If you buy something from a vendor that accepts EBT cards, they’re given a payment equivalent to your purchase’s cost. Even with food items, there are still plenty of restrictions on what you can purchase.

Items you can purchase include: There are typically two types of food or drink that you cannot purchase at Shell using your EBT card.

Regarding food, you cannot buy any hot items at the point of sale. Hot food, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, includes things such as:

Other things that you cannot purchase include items such as: Before shopping or attempting to purchase any items at Shell, check how much you have on your card.

You can check your latest bill, call the customer service team, or use your online account to see your balance. On your account, you can also check your transaction history.

As with other cards, your EBT card has a pin you need to keep a secret. Only share your pin with household members unless others use your card for their expenses.

However, if someone enters four wrong pin numbers on any day, the card cannot be used until the next day. When purchasing ineligible items, separating your purchases into two groups is best.

The other group should have other things you cannot purchase with EBT. To check if your local retailer accepts EBT payments, you can search by address using the SNAP retail locator.

Popular stores that accept EBT payments include Costco, Aldi, Amazon, Target, and Walmart. We know that there are grocery stores that can accept EBT cards and grocery stores that do notaccept EBT cards.

Examples of such stores include: According to SNAP, you can withdraw money from your EBT card to purchase specific items if you have cash benefits.

These ATMs usually have a Quest logo on the machine. If you cannot locate a machine with a Quest logo or if you’re new to the area, then you can call the ETB customer service to ask if there are any ATMs near you that accept the card.

Once you have the cash, make sure to check the receipt so that it reflects your actual balance. If there are any discrepancies, call customer service to rectify the issue.

Besides Shell, well-known gas stations have the qualifications to accept EBT payments. In this section, let’s look at some of the most popular gas stations in the country that are SNAP-authorized.

If you doubt whether the one closest to you accepts EBT, check online or with customer service. You can also ask the vendor directly if they can accept the card.

Despite the restrictions on what you can purchase, being able to buy food with such a large company is incredibly convenient. If you need to make a few purchases and come across other gas stations on the list above, then feel free to use your EBT card.

However, the beneficiaries of SNAP do not have to pay any state or local sales tax on what they purchase using their EBT cards. Some retailers do not accept EBT because they do not meet the qualifications that the United States Department of Agriculture requires of SNAP-authorized stores.

Since SNAP is active in all 50 states, you can freely use your EBT card in another state. You can use your card as you would usually in your home state.

The best method of finding out whether you have cash benefits on your EBT card is to try withdrawing cash. First, head to an ATM nearby and follow the standard procedures to withdraw cash.

Did you know that if you qualify for SNAP, you may also be eligible for Lifeline or the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Lifeline and ACP are government-run programs to help low-income consumers receive free or heavily discounted communication services.

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