Check Food Stamp Balance Online

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP (often called by its old name, the food stamp program), provides low-income U.S. residents with financial assistance for buying food and certain other necessities. Many states, but not all of them, provide the ability to check your food stamp balance online. If the state that issued your benefits card does not have this service, you can find your balance over the phone, by showing up to an office in person, or by reading one of your grocery store receipts.

Steps

Checking Your Food Stamp Balance Online

  1. Check whether this is possible in your state. Visit the Online EBT SNAP Accounts page at http://www.fns.usda.gov/ebt/online-ebt-snap-accounts. Click on the link next to the state that issued your benefits card, if it appears on the list.
    • Use one of the alternate methods below if your state is not on the list.
  2. Create an account or log in. The exact layout of the site depends on your state. Look for a link that says "Register Now," "Make an Account," or a similar phrase. If you cannot find one, just click on the "Log In" button—some sites don't require you to create an account, but will just ask for your social security and/or card number.
  3. Enter the required information and hit Submit. To access your benefits, you will need to enter your full name, and the number on your benefits card. You'll also create a username and password so you can log in to the site. Depending on your state, you may also be asked for your social security number or other information. Fill out the form, and agree to the terms and conditions when prompted.
    • Write your username and password down in a secret location so you don't forget it.
  4. Log into your account. You might be logged in automatically when you create an account. In the future, to log in, visit this site, enter your username and password, and click Log in or a similar button.
  5. View your account balance. Look for a link to Account Summary, View Balance, or a similar phrase. Your food stamp balance should be listed here. If you see an Account Activity link, click it for a more detailed breakdown of how you have spent your food stamp money.
  6. Log out when you're done. Be sure to log out when you're finished so that no one else is able to access your information. This is especially important if you are using a computer shared with other people.

Checking Your Food Stamp Balance in Other Ways

  1. Check your balance through customer service. If your state does not offer online SNAP (food stamp) services, contact customer service and have them check your balance for you, or give you advice on how to check it in your state. You can find toll-free numbers to call listed at the USDA website, along with websites that may include online customer service.
    • Call the number listed under "Client" to ask about your balance. The number listed under "Retailer" is for stores who accept food stamps as payment.
  2. Find alternate numbers or physical office locations. Search online for "EBT contact" and the name of your state. The number listed should be the same as the one you've already called, but the information may also include a physical office look-up, or contact info for a related service that may be able to help, such as the Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC).
  3. Look at a receipt from a food stamp purchase. Your remaining balance is typically printed on your receipt when you pay with your benefits card. If you do not have this, make a small purchase using your benefits card, and ask the cashier for the receipt.
    • The receipt may print this information under "EBT balance," "SNAP balance," or the name of the state-specific program (such as Quest or CalFresh).
  4. Contact your caseworker about a new benefits card. The amount of time it takes to receive your first SNAP (food stamp) payment depends on your state. You should always receive it within 30 days of your application being filed, or within 7 days if your income is low enough to qualify for rapid assistance.[1] Your caseworker, or person who filed your SNAP application, should be able to give you more information on its status.
  5. Check the release schedule online. If you want to find out whether this months' food stamp balance has been distributed, you can check the schedule online without an account. Visit the federal SNAP website and click the name of the state that issued your benefits card. Typically, states assign benefits between the 1st and 10th of every month, depending on the number written on your benefits card.

Tips

  • You do not need to spend all your money in one month. The unspent money will remain in your account, as long as you use your benefits card at least once a year.[2]

Warnings

  • Misuse of your card may result in its confiscation. To ensure that this doesn't happen to you, remember:
    • Never to sell, trade, or give away your card, benefits, or PIN.
    • Never to let your retailer trade your food benefits in exchange for cash.
    • Never to loan someone else your food benefits or EBT card.

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Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://asktheexpert.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2124
  2. ↑ http://asktheexpert.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5259/related/1

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