Electronic Benefits Transfer
You will receive your food stamp benefits through a process called Electronic Benefits Transfer. (EBT) With EBT, you will be using a plastic card called the Cardinal Card, and a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) to make purchases of food items at participating grocery stores and retailers.
When do I get my food stamp benefits?
If you are approved and remain eligible, your ongoing benefits will be available on the first day of each month by 12:00 noon.
How do I get my food stamp benefits with the Cardinal Card?
Each month that you are eligible for food stamp benefits, your benefits will be added to your EBT card automatically. As your monthly benefits are added to your card, the balance on your card will go up. As you use your benefits, your balance will go down.
What does my EBT card look like?
The EBT card is a plastic card and looks similar to a credit card or ATM card. (See picture at top of page.) It has your card number on the front, and a place for you to sign on the back. Depending on how your card was issued to you, your card may or may not have your name on the front.
What is a PIN?
PIN stands for Personal Identification Number. Your PIN is a four-digit number you must use with your EBT card. The PIN is how the computer matches the card to your account and you.
How do I remember my PIN?
It is very important for you to memorize your PIN. If you select your own PIN, choose foour numbers that are easy for you to remember, but hard for someone else to figure out. Keep your PIN a secret. Do not write your PIN on your card, protective sleeve card, or the card carrier. Do not keep your PIN in your wallet or your purse.
How do I use my EBT card?
At the checkout lane, tell the store clerk that you are using your EBT card. Once your card has been swiped through the Point of Sale terminal (either by your or the clerk), you enter your PIN. The PIN allows you (and only you) to use your card.
What if I forget my PIN?
If you are in the grocery store and enter the wrong PIN, you have three more chances that day to enter the correct PIN. If you do not enter the correct PIN on the fourth try, a "lock" is put on your account and you will not be able to use your card until the next day. If you cannot remember your PIN, contact the local social services agency to come in and selecet a new PIN. (You should also choose a new PIN if you think someone else knows your PIN.) YOU SHOULD ALWAYS KNOW YOUR PIN BEFORE YOU GO TO THE GROCERY STORE.
How do I take care of my EBT card?
Take care of your card like it was a credit card. Do not bend or twist the card. Do not use your card to scrape windshields or open door locks. Keep the black stripe on the back of the card clean and free from scratches. Store your card in a wallet, purse, or safe place. Keep the card away from magnets.
What if I forget my card when I go to the grocery store?
You cannot use your food stamp benefits to buy food without your EBT card and PIN.
What if I lose or damage my EBT card?
If your EBT card is lost, stolen, or damaged, call the toll free Customer Service Help-Line at 1-866-281-2448, to report it. A new card will be mailed to you on the next business day or you can contact your worker to request a new card and come in and receive a replacement. A $2.00 replacement fee will be charged and will be deducted from the balance on your EBT card. No one will be able to use your EBT card once you report it missing.
How long will it take to get a new EBT card?
Once you report your card lost or stolen, a new card will be mailed to you. You should receive your replacement card with 5-6 days. Your PIN will remain the same as before. You may want to continue to use the same PIN. If you want to change your PIN, you need to contact your worker to see about coming in to change your PIN.
How will I know the balance on my EBT card?
There are two easy ways to check: Always keep your store receipts that show your EBT balance. Check the receipt from your last purchase; it shows your available balance. Call the Customer Service Help Line at 1-866-281-2448. Always know your balance before you go shopping---some retailers may have a machine located at their customer service desk that may be used to check your balance before you go through the checkout line.
Where can I shop with my EBT card?
Probably where you shop now. All stores that take the EBT card should have a "Quest" or Cardinal Card sign on the door. If you do not see these signs, ask the store manager or a clerk if they accept EBT before you start shopping.
Can someone else shop for me like they do now?
Yes, you can let someone else use your EBT card to buy food for you. But be careful. Once you tell someone your PIN and give them your card, they could use ALL of your benefits. These benefits will NOT be replaced. You can also let your worker know that you wish to designate an "authorized representative" who will then be given a PIN and card so that they may shop on your behalf.
What if I get an error message when I am trying to check out?
There are three error messages that could come up on the Point of Sale terminal when you are trying to check out:
1. CARD NOT ON FILE: If you get this message, call the Customer Service Help Line at 1-866-281-2448.
2. INVALID PIN: If you get this message, you have entered your PIN incorrectly. If you do not enter the correct PIN by the fourth try, a "lock" is put on your account and you will not be able to use your card until the next day. If you cannot remember your PIN, go to the local social services agency to re-PIN your card.
3. INSUFFICIENT BALANCE: Before you shop, check your balance. If you get this message, you have tried to spend more than the balance on your EBT card. If your groceries cost more than what you have on your card, you can put some of the items back or pay for the rest in cash.
Anytime you get an error message that you don't understand, call the toll free Customer Service Help Line at 1-866-281-2448.
What if my store does not have a Point of Sale terminal or the terminal isn't working?
If your store doesn't have a Point of Sale terminal, you may not be able to use your EBT card there. Ask the store manager or clerk if the store accepts the EBT card. Some smaller retailers--like small grocery stores, farmer's markets, or route vendors--may use a paper form that you will need to sign. If the Point of Sale terminal isn't working, the store may decide to process your purchase by calling Customer Service to get the information they need to let you buy your food--some retailers may then limit the amount of your purchase.
What if I don't want to use all my benefits in one month?
The food stamp benefits you do not use stay on your EBT card until you use them. However, if you don't use your card for 90 days, your benefits will be frozen and you must contact your worker to reactivate your account.
How do I take something back to the store?
Take the item, receipt, and your card back to the store. The store will issue a credit to your food stamp account, which will be available to you immediately. YOU WILL NOT GET CASH BACK.
What if I plan to move or change my address?
Call your worker. You must always report changes in your address, living arrangements, and/or income to your worker.
What are the consequences for misusing my EBT card?
Intentional misuse of the EBT card is a crime. You may be disqualified from the Food Stamp program and may be prosecuted if you use your card for illegal purposes, which include selling your card and PIN for cash, drugs, or other items, or exchanging food stamp benefits for cash at a retailer.
What if I have questions about my EBT card?
Call the toll free Customer Service Help Line at 1-866-281-2448. This line is open 24 hours, every day, for your questions.
When do I get my food stamp benefits?
If you are approved and remain eligible, your ongoing benefits will be available on the first day of each month by 12:00 noon.
How do I get my food stamp benefits with the Cardinal Card?
Each month that you are eligible for food stamp benefits, your benefits will be added to your EBT card automatically. As your monthly benefits are added to your card, the balance on your card will go up. As you use your benefits, your balance will go down.
What does my EBT card look like?
The EBT card is a plastic card and looks similar to a credit card or ATM card. (See picture at top of page.) It has your card number on the front, and a place for you to sign on the back. Depending on how your card was issued to you, your card may or may not have your name on the front.
What is a PIN?
PIN stands for Personal Identification Number. Your PIN is a four-digit number you must use with your EBT card. The PIN is how the computer matches the card to your account and you.
How do I remember my PIN?
It is very important for you to memorize your PIN. If you select your own PIN, choose foour numbers that are easy for you to remember, but hard for someone else to figure out. Keep your PIN a secret. Do not write your PIN on your card, protective sleeve card, or the card carrier. Do not keep your PIN in your wallet or your purse.
How do I use my EBT card?
At the checkout lane, tell the store clerk that you are using your EBT card. Once your card has been swiped through the Point of Sale terminal (either by your or the clerk), you enter your PIN. The PIN allows you (and only you) to use your card.
What if I forget my PIN?
If you are in the grocery store and enter the wrong PIN, you have three more chances that day to enter the correct PIN. If you do not enter the correct PIN on the fourth try, a "lock" is put on your account and you will not be able to use your card until the next day. If you cannot remember your PIN, contact the local social services agency to come in and selecet a new PIN. (You should also choose a new PIN if you think someone else knows your PIN.) YOU SHOULD ALWAYS KNOW YOUR PIN BEFORE YOU GO TO THE GROCERY STORE.
How do I take care of my EBT card?
Take care of your card like it was a credit card. Do not bend or twist the card. Do not use your card to scrape windshields or open door locks. Keep the black stripe on the back of the card clean and free from scratches. Store your card in a wallet, purse, or safe place. Keep the card away from magnets.
What if I forget my card when I go to the grocery store?
You cannot use your food stamp benefits to buy food without your EBT card and PIN.
What if I lose or damage my EBT card?
If your EBT card is lost, stolen, or damaged, call the toll free Customer Service Help-Line at 1-866-281-2448, to report it. A new card will be mailed to you on the next business day or you can contact your worker to request a new card and come in and receive a replacement. A $2.00 replacement fee will be charged and will be deducted from the balance on your EBT card. No one will be able to use your EBT card once you report it missing.
How long will it take to get a new EBT card?
Once you report your card lost or stolen, a new card will be mailed to you. You should receive your replacement card with 5-6 days. Your PIN will remain the same as before. You may want to continue to use the same PIN. If you want to change your PIN, you need to contact your worker to see about coming in to change your PIN.
How will I know the balance on my EBT card?
There are two easy ways to check: Always keep your store receipts that show your EBT balance. Check the receipt from your last purchase; it shows your available balance. Call the Customer Service Help Line at 1-866-281-2448. Always know your balance before you go shopping---some retailers may have a machine located at their customer service desk that may be used to check your balance before you go through the checkout line.
Where can I shop with my EBT card?
Probably where you shop now. All stores that take the EBT card should have a "Quest" or Cardinal Card sign on the door. If you do not see these signs, ask the store manager or a clerk if they accept EBT before you start shopping.
Can someone else shop for me like they do now?
Yes, you can let someone else use your EBT card to buy food for you. But be careful. Once you tell someone your PIN and give them your card, they could use ALL of your benefits. These benefits will NOT be replaced. You can also let your worker know that you wish to designate an "authorized representative" who will then be given a PIN and card so that they may shop on your behalf.
What if I get an error message when I am trying to check out?
There are three error messages that could come up on the Point of Sale terminal when you are trying to check out:
1. CARD NOT ON FILE: If you get this message, call the Customer Service Help Line at 1-866-281-2448.
2. INVALID PIN: If you get this message, you have entered your PIN incorrectly. If you do not enter the correct PIN by the fourth try, a "lock" is put on your account and you will not be able to use your card until the next day. If you cannot remember your PIN, go to the local social services agency to re-PIN your card.
3. INSUFFICIENT BALANCE: Before you shop, check your balance. If you get this message, you have tried to spend more than the balance on your EBT card. If your groceries cost more than what you have on your card, you can put some of the items back or pay for the rest in cash.
Anytime you get an error message that you don't understand, call the toll free Customer Service Help Line at 1-866-281-2448.
What if my store does not have a Point of Sale terminal or the terminal isn't working?
If your store doesn't have a Point of Sale terminal, you may not be able to use your EBT card there. Ask the store manager or clerk if the store accepts the EBT card. Some smaller retailers--like small grocery stores, farmer's markets, or route vendors--may use a paper form that you will need to sign. If the Point of Sale terminal isn't working, the store may decide to process your purchase by calling Customer Service to get the information they need to let you buy your food--some retailers may then limit the amount of your purchase.
What if I don't want to use all my benefits in one month?
The food stamp benefits you do not use stay on your EBT card until you use them. However, if you don't use your card for 90 days, your benefits will be frozen and you must contact your worker to reactivate your account.
How do I take something back to the store?
Take the item, receipt, and your card back to the store. The store will issue a credit to your food stamp account, which will be available to you immediately. YOU WILL NOT GET CASH BACK.
What if I plan to move or change my address?
Call your worker. You must always report changes in your address, living arrangements, and/or income to your worker.
What are the consequences for misusing my EBT card?
Intentional misuse of the EBT card is a crime. You may be disqualified from the Food Stamp program and may be prosecuted if you use your card for illegal purposes, which include selling your card and PIN for cash, drugs, or other items, or exchanging food stamp benefits for cash at a retailer.
What if I have questions about my EBT card?
Call the toll free Customer Service Help Line at 1-866-281-2448. This line is open 24 hours, every day, for your questions.