States use the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system to provide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to recipients. The food assistance benefit amount posts to your EBT account and is accessed using an EBT card that works like a debit card for qualifying food purchases. You'll need to contact your local SNAP office or Department of Social Services if you have questions regarding your case status or eligibility. If you want to check the balance available on your EBT card, you'll need to go through the actual card issuer. You can typically call or check online.
Automated Information by Phone
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You can check your EBT balance by calling the customer service number printed on the back of the card. You'll need to enter the card number to receive automated information such as your current balance and recent transactions for your SNAP account. You'll also have the option to speak to a customer service representative if you have any discrepancies or unauthorized purchases on the card.
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Card Services Online
The majority of states also offer online EBT account access to check your SNAP balance. The service is either offered by the state or the bank that issues the EBT card. For example, in Florida, Georgia and New York, the online service is offered by JP Morgan Chase through the UCard Center. In Illinois, the state provides online access to EBT Link Card balances through the Department of Human Services website. In California, you can check your balance by going to the California EBT Client Website. You can find your state's EBT card website under the Online EBT SNAP Accounts section of the USDA Food and Nutrition Services site.
Creating an Online Account
You'll need to register your account before you can check your card balance online. Although specific requirements may vary from state to state, you'll typically need to enter the EBT card number and create a username and a password. Make sure you write down the username and password for future logins. The state may require you to enter additional information found on the front of the card to verify it's in your possession, such as the date and any security numbers on the card. You may also need to enter your Social Security number or date of birth to verify your identity.
Once you've created the account, you can log in to check your account balance. If you forget the username or password, you can usually reset the password by entering your Social Security number and card number.