Understanding and Managing Your Temporary SNAP EBT Card Balance

The Electronic Benefits Transaction (EBT) card is the gateway to receiving your SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, designed to help families afford groceries. Think of your EBT card as a debit card, pre-loaded with your monthly SNAP funds to be used specifically for purchasing eligible food items. To understand more about what you can purchase, refer to the USDA guidelines on eligible food items.

Key Facts About Your EBT Card and Balance:

First-Time Card Delivery: If you’re a new SNAP recipient, expect your EBT card to arrive in the mail within 30 days of your application approval. For those qualifying for expedited service, delivery is within 7 days. This initial card will serve as your temporary card until you receive your permanent one or for the duration of your benefit period.
Existing Card Usage: If you already possess an EBT card, your SNAP benefits will be added to your current card, unless a replacement is necessary.
Benefit Schedule: Upon approval, you’ll receive a notification detailing when your SNAP funds will be loaded onto your card each month. Remember to renew your SNAP benefits regularly to ensure continuous access to benefits.
Widespread Acceptance: Your EBT card is accepted at a wide range of locations, including most grocery stores, participating online retailers, and farmers markets.
Managing Your Temporary Card Balance:
1. Rollover Balances: You are not required to spend your entire monthly SNAP allocation within the month. Any remaining balance on your temporary card will automatically roll over to the subsequent month, providing continued access to your funds.
2. Unlimited Transactions: Feel free to use your EBT card as frequently as needed throughout the month, as long as you have a balance available. There are no transaction limits, making it convenient to manage your temporary card balance effectively.
3. Balance Retention Period: To keep your SNAP funds accessible, ensure you use your EBT card at least once every 9 months. Inactivity for 9 months or more (274 days) will result in the removal of SNAP money from your card, and these funds cannot be reinstated. Regular use ensures you maintain access to your temporary card balance.

Activating Your EBT Card and Accessing Your Initial Balance

A view of the front side of an EBT card, highlighting the card number used for activation and balance inquiries.

The backside of the EBT card, showcasing the customer service phone number for activation and support, crucial for managing your temporary card balance.

Activating your EBT card is a straightforward process to begin using your SNAP benefits and accessing your temporary card balance:

Call the Activation Line: Dial 1-888-328-2666, the dedicated phone number printed on the back of your EBT card. This is your first step to accessing and managing your temporary card balance.
Language Selection: Choose your preferred language by pressing 1 for English or 2 for Spanish.
Enter Card Number: Input the 18-digit card number located on the front of your EBT card. This number is essential for identifying your account and accessing your temporary card balance.

A visual instruction showing where to locate the 18-digit card number on the EBT card for activation and balance checks.

Date of Birth Input: Enter the Date of Birth (DOB) of the primary cardholder. Use a 2-digit format for the month, 2-digit for the day, and 4-digit for the year (MMDDYYYY). For example, October 3, 1998, would be entered as 10031998.
Social Security Number (SSN) or Zeroes: Enter the last four digits of the cardholder’s Social Security Number (SSN). If the cardholder does not have an SSN, enter four zeroes (0000) instead.
Create Your PIN: Select a 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN). This PIN will be required for all transactions, ensuring secure access to your temporary card balance.
PIN Confirmation: Re-enter your chosen 4-digit PIN to confirm and finalize the activation process.

Once activated, you can use your EBT card at participating retailers by entering your 4-digit PIN at the point-of-sale card reader. This PIN is crucial for accessing your temporary card balance for purchases.

Protecting Your EBT Card, PIN, and Temporary Card Balance

Card Security Best Practices:

Secure Storage: Keep your EBT card in a safe and secure location when it’s not in use to prevent loss or theft and protect your temporary card balance.
PIN Confidentiality: Never write your PIN directly on your card or store it in an easily accessible place. Memorize your PIN to maintain the security of your temporary card balance.
Card Handling: Avoid bending, damaging, writing on, or scratching the magnetic stripe on the back of your card, as this could impair its functionality and access to your temporary card balance.
Magnet Avoidance: Keep your card away from magnets, electronic devices (TVs, stereos, VCRs), and magnetic clasps, which can demagnetize the card and prevent access to your temporary card balance.

PIN Protection is Paramount:

Your PIN is your personal electronic signature, providing access to your SNAP benefits and temporary card balance. Treat it like a key to your funds:

PIN Secrecy: Keep your PIN private and never share it with anyone.
Discreet Entry: Always shield the keypad when entering your PIN in stores to prevent unauthorized viewing.
Never Share Card or PIN: Do not give your EBT card and PIN to anyone else. Possession of both allows complete access to your SNAP funds, depleting your temporary card balance.
PIN Theft Consequences: Be aware that if someone steals your PIN and physical card, any SNAP money spent cannot be recovered or replaced. Protecting your PIN is crucial for safeguarding your temporary card balance.

Replacing a Lost, Stolen, or Damaged EBT Card:

If your EBT card is lost, stolen, or damaged, prompt action is necessary to secure your benefits and temporary card balance. You have three convenient options for requesting a replacement:

CT DSS Benefit Center: Call the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) Benefit Center at 1-855-626-6632.
EBT Customer Service: Contact EBT customer service directly at 1-888-328-2666.
DSS Resource Centers: Visit any of the 12 local DSS Resource Centers in person.

Requesting a new EBT card immediately deactivates your old card, preventing unauthorized use and protecting your remaining temporary card balance. You will be required to select a new PIN for your replacement card.

While a replacement card can be issued for lost or stolen cards, SNAP funds spent from a compromised card are generally not replaceable. However, any remaining SNAP money on your old EBT card will be automatically transferred to your new card, preserving your temporary card balance.

In cases of electronic theft, such as card cloning or skimming, you may be eligible to have your stolen SNAP benefits replaced. Apply to replace stolen SNAP benefits if you suspect electronic theft has compromised your temporary card balance.

Accessing Your Monthly SNAP Benefits and Temporary Card Balance

SNAP benefits are loaded onto your EBT card on the same day each month, based on the first initial of your last name. This schedule ensures timely access to your funds and management of your temporary card balance:

Last Name Initial	Benefit Availability Date
A-F	1st of the month
G-N	2nd of the month
O-Z	3rd of the month

If you currently receive cash assistance via check or direct deposit, this will continue separately. SNAP benefits are exclusively accessible through your EBT card, emphasizing the importance of managing your temporary card balance on this card.

Inactivity and SNAP Benefit Retention

To maintain your SNAP benefits and temporary card balance, it’s crucial to use your EBT card regularly. If your EBT card remains unused for 274 days (approximately 9 months), the SNAP funds will be reclaimed. To prevent this, ensure you use your card at least once every 9 months to keep your temporary card balance active and accessible. Once SNAP benefits are removed due to inactivity, they cannot be reinstated or replaced, highlighting the importance of regular card usage for managing your temporary card balance.

Checking Your EBT Card Balance

Staying informed about your EBT card balance is essential for effective budgeting and managing your SNAP benefits. You can conveniently check your balance through several methods:

Online Portal: Visit MyAccount at www.connect.ct.gov from any computer to view your current balance and transaction history.
Mobile App: Utilize the MyDSS Mobile App on your smartphone or tablet, accessible at www.mydss.ct.gov, for on-the-go balance checks and account management.
Automated Phone Service: Call 1-888-328-2666 to access an automated system that provides your current balance and details of your last ten transactions.
Store Receipts: Save your store receipts after each transaction to manually track your spending and monitor your remaining SNAP balance.

Online Grocery Shopping with SNAP Benefits

Your SNAP benefits can now be used for online grocery purchases for delivery or in-store pickup at participating retailers. This expands access to food and provides greater convenience for SNAP recipients. However, it’s important to note that federal regulations prohibit the use of SNAP funds for delivery fees, shipping costs, or service charges. These fees, along with any non-food or non-SNAP-eligible items, must be paid using a separate payment method. Currently, only SNAP funds on EBT cards are accepted for online purchases; cash benefits on EBT cards cannot be used for any part of online grocery transactions, including associated fees.

Participating Online Retailers in CT

For retailers interested in accepting SNAP EBT online, detailed information on the requirements and application process is available at becoming a SNAP EBT online retailer.

SNAP at Farmers Markets

Support local farmers and access fresh, nutritious produce by using your SNAP benefits at participating Farmers’ Markets and Farms throughout Connecticut. Look for markets displaying the “SNAP/EBT accepted here” sign. At these locations, the Market Manager can swipe your EBT card, and you’ll receive market tokens equivalent to your SNAP withdrawal amount. These tokens can be used to purchase eligible items from any vendor within the market. Many farmers markets also offer “double value” programs, effectively doubling your SNAP purchasing power for locally grown fruits and vegetables.

For a directory of participating CT Farmers Markets and Farm Stands, consult the provided list.

Learn more about maximizing your SNAP benefits at Farmers Markets:

Video resources are available to guide you:

For the most current information on Farmers’ Markets accepting SNAP, visit the Farmers’ Market page on the Department of Agriculture’s website.

Additional resources for Farmers Markets are available from the Food and Nutrition Service (USDA).

Farmers Markets or Farm Stands interested in accepting EBT can contact Kristin Krawetzky, EBT Supervisor, at (860) 424-5756 for further information.

Consequences of EBT Card Misuse

Misusing your EBT card or SNAP benefits is a serious offense with significant consequences. Fraudulent activities, such as selling your card and PIN, are criminal acts and will be prosecuted. Frequent card loss and replacement may trigger investigations into your case.

Misuse or abuse of your EBT card will lead to investigations by state and federal authorities. Verified violations can result in:

Program Removal: Termination of your SNAP benefits.
Benefit Recovery: Recoupment of misused funds through reductions in your monthly SNAP benefits or direct repayment obligations.
Criminal Charges: Referral for criminal prosecution.

It is essential to use your EBT card responsibly and ethically to ensure continued access to these vital food assistance benefits.