EBT Case Number Explained & Safety Tips to protect Your EBT Card

-EBT Case Number Explained-

Do you have an EBT case Number and you find it hard to use it or you don’t even know how to go about using it? You are in the right place.

In this article, we will explain what an EBT case number is, and the measures you need to take to protect your EBT benefits.

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EBT Card Issuance

If you are applying for cash or food assistance for the first time, you will be mailed an EBT card with a brochure on how to use your card when your case is approved.
However, If you received benefits in the past 25 months and still have your EBT card, you can still use that card if your case number stayed the same and the card has not yet expired. Please check the good thru date on your card.
If you are reapplying for benefits and no longer have your EBT card or your card has expired, please contact your EBT customer service for a replacement. You may call EBT Customer Service at any time. Another EBT card is not automatically mailed to you when your case is approved.
Meanwhile, your EBT Card will arrive in 5 – 7 business days
If your card has been canceled or expired it cannot be used and will need to be replaced.

What is your Case Number?

Your case number is located at the bottom of your EBT card. Skip the first two numbers. You can also find your case number on any notices your county has sent you.

Words to Know

POS (Point-of-Sale) Machine

A POS machine reads your EBT Card and allows you to buy food with your food stamp benefits. You can buy food or non-food items with your cash benefits and get cashback with your cash benefit purchases at some stores. Some stores may also allow you to get cash at a POS machine without a purchase.

ATM (Automated Teller Machine)

An ATM is a cash machine found at banks, stores, and many other places that allow you to get your cash benefits.

PIN (Personal Identification Number)

A PIN is a four-number secret code you use with your EBT Card to make sure no one can use your card but you. POS machines will not work unless you enter your PIN. It is important to learn and remember your PIN.

About Your PIN

Your four secret numbers are called a Personal Identification Number or PIN for short.
Every time you use your card, you will need to use your PIN or your card will NOT work and you will NOT be able to get your benefits.
NO ONE knows your PIN. This includes your caseworker and the Customer Service Helpline, representatives.

How to Keep Your PIN Safe

NEVER write your PIN on your card, the card sleeve or on anything you keep with your card.
Keep your PIN secret. NEVER give your PIN to your caseworker, family members, store cashiers or anyone else unless you want them to be able to get ALL your benefits.
NEVER use your PIN if you think someone is watching you.
When you use your EBT Card, you have up to four tries to enter your PIN. If your fourth try is incorrect, you will not be able to use your card again until after midnight. If you cannot remember your PIN, call Customer Service (the phone number is listed on the back of your card). Customer Service does NOT know your PIN but will help you change your PIN.
Should someone learn your PIN without your OK, call the Customer Service number right away or visit your public assistance office to change your PIN.
If someone takes your card and knows your PIN, they can use your benefits! If benefits are withdrawn by someone else before you call Customer Service, YOUR BENEFITS WILL NOT BE REPLACED. Call Customer Service immediately to cancel your card.

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Where to Use Your EBT Card

You can use your EBT Card at:

POS machines to:

Use your food stamp benefits to buy food
Use your cash benefits to buy food or non-food items like diapers and clothing
Get cash from your cash account after you buy something (depending on store rules)
Get cash from your cash account without buying anything (depending on store rules)

ATMs to get your cash benefits

You will find POS machines and/or ATMs at:

Grocery stores
Department stores
Convenience stores
Banks
Gas stations

How to Use Your EBT Card at an ATM

Insert or swipe your card in the ATM.
Enter your four-number Personal Identification Number (PIN) on the keypad and press the “OK” or “ENTER” key.
Select “WITHDRAW CASH” and then select “CHECKING.” (Some ATMs use different words.)
Enter the amount you wish to withdraw in whole dollar amounts (for example, $20, $200 or some other amount). Tens and Twenties are typically the smallest currency.
Some ATMs charge a surcharge. If there is a surcharge, the ATM will display a screen that tells you how much it is. If you want to accept, press “CONTINUE.” If you do not want to pay the fee, press “CANCEL.”
The ATM will give you your cash and a receipt.
Keep your receipt so you will know your balance the next time you need cash. Remember, you cannot get cash or change back from your food stamp benefits account.

ATM Safety Tips

Have your card ready.
Choose a well-lit ATM in a place where you feel safe (like inside a store).
Stand so that no one can see the PIN you use.
Count your money if you feel it is safe.
Put your cash, card, and receipt away quickly

How to Use Your EBT Card at a Point-of-Sale (POS) Machine

The steps you follow may be different for each type of POS you use. Don’t be afraid to ask the clerk for help.

To Buy Food at a POS Machine:

Know your balance! Check your last receipt or call Customer Service before shopping

Choose your groceries and go to the checkout lane. Depending on the store, you may need to separate your eligible food items from non-eligible items.
Swipe your card through the Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal or hand your EBT Card to the clerk.
Enter your four-number Personal Identification Number (PIN) on the keypad. The terminal will show **** instead of the numbers you entered.
Press the “ENTER” key.
The clerk enters the food stamp benefit amount. If the amount is correct, press the “OK” or “YES” key.
You will get a copy of a printed receipt showing:

Store name and address
Amount of your purchase
Your new food stamp benefits account balance

Keep your receipt so you will know your new balance the next time you shop.

Remember you cannot be charged a fee to use your food stamp benefits and you cannot get cash or change back from your food stamp benefits account. When you use your EBT Card, the county will not know what you bought.

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To Buy Non-Food Items at a POS Machine:

Know your balance! Check your last receipt, or call Customer Service before shopping.

Choose your non-food items and go to the checkout lane.
Swipe your card through the Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal or hand your EBT Card to the clerk.
Enter your four-number Personal Identification Number (PIN) on the keypad. The terminal will show **** instead of the numbers you entered.
Press the “ENTER” key..
Tell the clerk if you want to get cashback.
The clerk enters the amount of cash benefits to be withdrawn from your account (it can be the exact amount of your purchase or a greater amount if you want cashback). If the amount is correct, press the “OK” or “YES” key.
You will get a copy of a printed receipt showing:

Store name and address
Amount of your cash purchase and/or withdrawal
Your new cash account balance Step 8 Keep your receipt so you will know your new balance the next time you shop.

To Get Cash at a POS Machine:

Know your balance! Check your last receipt, call Customer Service before going to the store.

Ask the clerk if you can withdraw cash benefits at that store and if there is a fee.
Swipe your card through the Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal or hand your EBT Card to the clerk.
Enter your four-number Personal Identification Number (PIN) on the keypad. The terminal will show **** instead of the numbers you entered.
Press the “ENTER” key.
Tell the clerk the amount of cash you want to receive.
The clerk enters the amount of cash benefits to be withdrawn from your account. If the amount is correct, press the “OK” or “YES” key.
You will get a copy of a printed receipt showing:

Store name and address
Amount of your cash withdrawal
Your new cash account balance

It is very important that you always keep your receipt so you will know your new balance the next time you shop. Remember, you cannot get cash from your food stamp benefits account.

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