Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)

Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) is an electronic system that allows a recipient to authorize transfer of their government benefits from a Federal account to a retailer account to pay for products received. EBT is currently being used in many States to issue food stamp and other benefits. Nearly 100 percent of food stamp benefits are currently being issued by EBT.

How does it work?

The EBT card has dual capabilities in a retail environment. An EBT Food Stamp customer is able to purchase eligible food items from grocery stores and convenience stores with their benefits card, eliminating the traditional paper Food Stamp process.

The EBT card can also be used like a debit card for cash benefits. The card can be used by qualified EBT customers to receive cash from an ATM, pay for goods and services, and receive cash back with a purchase from participating merchants. EBT transactions are PIN-based, just like debit.

Merchant Features/Benefits

• Eliminates paper processing of Food Stamps – no manual counting, bundling and depositing
• Transactions authorized online ensuring payment to the merchant
• Processing is similar to debit, providing a fast, easy transaction at the point-of-sale
• Efficient payment settlement for Food Stamps
• Minimal equipment requirements
• 24 hour-a-day, 365 day-a-year State Customer Service Desk