EBT Card — Check Balance and Where to Use

EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. It is the system used to deliver federal food assistance benefits. When you are approved for SNAP (food stamps), your benefits are loaded onto your EBT card electronically each month. The card looks and works like a debit card — you swipe it at the register and enter your 4-digit PIN to pay. EBT replaced the old paper food stamp coupons in the early 2000s. Your card may also carry cash benefits (TANF) on a separate cash account, which can be used at ATMs and for non-food purchases. The SNAP portion can only be used for eligible food items.

There are several ways to check your EBT balance: (1) Call the number on the back of your card. This is the EBT customer service number for your state. Follow the automated prompts to hear your balance. (2) Visit your state's EBT website or portal. Most states have an online system where you can log in with your card number and PIN to view your balance and transaction history. (3) Download the Providers app (formerly Fresh EBT). This free app works in all 50 states and lets you check your balance, view transaction history, and find stores that accept EBT. Available on both iPhone and Android. (4) Check your last receipt. Your remaining EBT balance is printed at the bottom of every purchase receipt. (5) Ask the cashier. At most stores, the cashier can run a balance inquiry for you. (6) Visit your local SNAP office. Staff can check your balance in person.

Your EBT card is accepted at most grocery stores and supermarkets across the country. Look for signs that say "SNAP Accepted" or "EBT Accepted" at the entrance. Major retailers that accept EBT include: Walmart, Target, Kroger (and its subsidiaries like Fred Meyer, Ralphs, and Smith's), Safeway and Albertsons, ALDI, Publix, H-E-B, Meijer, WinCo Foods, Food Lion, Piggly Wiggly, Save-A-Lot, Dollar General (in some locations), Dollar Tree (in some locations), and thousands of independent grocery stores. You can also use EBT at many farmers markets — ask at the market's info booth about SNAP acceptance. Many farmers markets offer bonus programs that double your SNAP dollars for fresh produce. To find stores near you that accept SNAP, visit the USDA SNAP Retailer Locator at fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator.

SNAP Online Purchasing is now available in all 50 states and Washington DC. You can use your EBT card to buy groceries online for pickup or delivery at participating retailers. Major online retailers accepting EBT include: Walmart (walmart.com) for pickup and delivery, Amazon (amazon.com/snap-ebt) for grocery delivery, Target (via Shipt), ALDI (via Instacart), Kroger and its family of stores, and many regional grocery chains via Instacart. Important notes about online EBT shopping: your EBT card can only pay for the food — delivery fees, tips, service charges, and non-food items must be paid with another method. You will need to enter your EBT card number and PIN during online checkout. Not all items from online retailers are SNAP-eligible — the system will automatically separate eligible and non-eligible items. DoorDash and Uber Eats have also begun accepting EBT for grocery deliveries in some areas.

The Restaurant Meals Program is an optional USDA program that allows certain SNAP recipients to use their EBT benefits at approved restaurants. It was created for people who face barriers to preparing meals at home. As of 2026, states with active Restaurant Meals Programs include: California, Arizona, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Virginia. Eligibility is typically limited to: people age 60 and older, people with disabilities that prevent meal preparation, people experiencing homelessness who lack access to cooking facilities, and spouses of people who qualify. Participating restaurant chains may include McDonald's, Subway, Burger King, Wendy's, Jack in the Box, Popeyes, Denny's, Papa Murphy's, and various local restaurants. Not all locations within a chain participate — it depends on the individual franchise. Contact your local SNAP office to find out if your county participates and to get a list of approved restaurants.

If your EBT card is lost, stolen, or damaged, take these steps immediately: (1) Call your state's EBT customer service number right away. This is the number on the back of your card — if you do not have it, search online for "[your state] EBT customer service." (2) Report the card as lost or stolen. This will deactivate the old card so no one else can use it. Your benefits are safe — they are tied to your account, not the physical card. (3) Request a replacement card. In most states, a replacement card is free and will be mailed within 5-7 business days. Some states allow you to pick up a replacement at your local SNAP office for faster access. (4) Set a new PIN when your replacement arrives. (5) Any benefits remaining on your account when the card was lost will be available on your new card. Benefits that were used before you reported the card lost may not be recoverable, so report it as quickly as possible.

Keep your PIN secret — never share it with anyone, and do not write it on the card itself. Your EBT balance rolls over from month to month — any benefits you do not use this month will still be available next month. However, SNAP benefits expire 12 months after they are issued to your account, so try to use older benefits first. Keep your receipts to track your balance. If you are having trouble with your card at a store, ask the cashier to try re-running it or try a different register. Some stores' EBT systems go down temporarily — if your card is declined, it may not be a balance issue. EBT cards have an expiration date. Contact your state EBT office before your card expires to get a replacement.