Monday 7 September 2015

Use Your Food Stamp Debit Card

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is a program to help those struggling financially to buy food. When you are approved for SNAP you will receive an EBT card, or electronic benefits card. The electronic benefits card is commonly referred to as a food stamp debit card and can be used like a normal debit card to make food purchases. The food stamp debit card will only work for food.


Instructions


1. Use the online SNAP authorized store locator (see Resources) to find stores near you that accept food stamp debit cards. Click "Select Location" and enter your city, state, street address and ZIP code. The 25 closest stores that accept food stamp debit cards will appear.


2. Choose food that can be bought with the food stamp debit card. Most food is food stamp eligible, with the exception of hot food and food that must be eaten in the store or restaurant. For example, you cannot buy a hot rotisserie chicken with the food stamp debit card, but you can buy cold chicken breasts.


3. Swipe your card through the card reader at the register. Enter your PIN after you swipe the card. Your PIN was given to you when you received the food stamp debit card. Save the receipt the cashier gives you; your remaining balance is printed on the receipt. If the card reader is not working, the cashier will fill out a SNAP voucher; the cashier will write down your card number and amount of purchase. Check to see that the amount is correct and sign your name on the "Signature" line.

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