Maine EBT Card Balance: How to Check your Maine Pine Tree Card

Maine EBT Card Balance: How to Check your Maine Pine Tree Card.

Maine EBT Card Balance: Food stamps are available to low-income families who meet the eligibility requirements for federal revenue. Read below to find out how to check your Maine EBT card balance and more information.

The Food Supplement Program offers essential nutritional and food assistance for eligible low-income and vulnerable households.

Your benefits will be deposited electronically on an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card if you are accepted for the Maine Food Supplement Plan.

The Maine EBT card is identical to a regular ATM or debit card, also known as the Maine Pine Tree Card. Each month, food stamp benefits will be deposited on your EBT Card the same day.

You will use the Maine EBT Card benefits by 5 AM the morning after they are added to your EBT Card account.

Benefits can be used to make approved purchases of food at qualifying retail locations. Most department stores in Maine accept the Maine Pine Tree Card as payment.

What’s the Maine Pine Tree Card?

The Maine Pine Tree Card is Maine’s EBT card.
EBT = electronic benefits transfer.
EBT card = a card that looks and works like a debit or credit card but is loaded with food stamps and/or cash benefits. You can use it at stores that accept EBT.
You’ll get the Maine Pine Tree Card once you’re approved for benefits.
Maine’s EBT customer service number is 1-800-477-7428.

About Maine’s EBT card

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( SNAP) offers savings of food aid that help low-income families purchase the food they need for healthy living.

The amount of benefits each household receives from food assistance is based on the Thrifty Food Plan, the US model diet plan. Department of Agriculture ( USDA) uses various household sizes to estimate the cost of food for one month.

Under SNAP rules, resources are weighed in deciding whether a household is eligible for SNAP, such as bank accounts, cash real estate, personal properties, cars, and so on.

Some resources are counted against the permissible threshold and others are not. The worker at the SNAP must explain what is counted.

The services of people seeking public assistance, SSI, and general assistance in certain areas are not counted to the cap.

Eligibility Criteria for Maine EBT

To qualify for this incentive plan, you must be a resident of the state of Maine and fall into one of two groups: (1) those with a current bank balance (savings and checks combined) of less than $2,001, or

(2) those with a current bank balance (savings and checks combined) of less than $3,001 who share their household with an individual or persons 60 years of age or older, or with an individual with a disability.

To qualify, you must have an annual household income that is less than or equal to the following sums (before taxes):

Annual Household Income Limits (before taxes)
Household Size*	Maximum Income Level (Per Year)
1	$23,107
2	$31,284
3	$39,461
4	$47,638
5	$55,815
6	$63,992
7	$72,169
8	$80,346

* Extra $8,177 for households with more than eight individuals. To ensure the most reliable recommendations always consult with the correct managing department.

All households may have countable resources worth up to $ 2,000 and are still eligible. Households can be liable for up to $3,000 if at least one member is 60 or older.

Most households must have income before and after deductions are permitted, at or below certain dollar limits.

However, households in which all members receive public assistance or SSI (or general assistance at certain locations) do not have to follow the eligibility requirements on income.

Maine EBT Payment Schedule

If the Last digit of your Birth Day ends in	Benefits are deposited on the
0 or 9	10th of the month
1 or 8	11th of the month
2 or 3	12th of the month
4 or 7	13th of the month
5 or 6	14th of the month

Once your benefits are deposited into your account, you can begin using them with your Maine EBT card to purchase eligible food items.

List of Stores that Take EBT Online for Delivery

As you may know, the U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA) has introduced a pilot program (Online Buying Pilot) to encourage selected grocery stores to begin accepting electronic EBT cards for grocery shopping, including delivery to your doorway.

The grocery stores listed below have been approved for the pilot which will give EBT cardholders the opportunity to buy food for delivery online.

Amazon
Dash’s Market
FreshDirect
Hart’s Local Grocers
Hy-Vee, Inc.
Safeway
ShopRite
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Wright’s Markets, Inc

Where can’t I use my Maine EBT Card?

You cannot use your Maine EBT Card at the following locations:

Casinos
Poker Rooms
Card Rooms
Smoke & Cannabis Shops
Adult Entertainment Businesses
Nightclubs/Saloons/Taverns
Tattoo & Piercing Shops
Spa/Massage Salons
Bingo Halls
Bail Bonds
Racetracks
Gun/Ammo Stores
Cruise Ships
Psychic Readers

Foods and Products not Eligible for Purchase with the Maine EBT Card

Hot foods from deli/foods to be eaten in store
Vitamins or medication
Pet food
Paper or cleaning products
Alcohol/tobacco products.

For a full list of approved food items, see the Food Stamps Eligible Food List here

How to Check Maine EBT Card Balance

It is important to know the current EBT card balance on your Maine Pine Tree Card. This can help you plan out your grocery purchases throughout the month until the next time your state refills your EBT card.

There are different ways to check how much you have on your card. Here’s how to check the balance on your Pine Tree Card.

Option 1 – Check your Last Receipt

The first way to check the balance on the Pine Tree Card is to search for your last receipt. This is the fastest and simplest way to find the current balance on your Maine EBT Card.

Your balance will be displayed at the bottom of your most recent grocery store or receipt from an ATM. You can get used to having your most recent EBT receipt, so before you shop, you still have a fast way to test your balance.

Option 2 – Login to your PinetreeCard Account

The second choice to test your Maine EBT Card balance is available online through the PinetreeCard website. Visit the PinetreeCard website to sign in, then enter your User ID and Password.

You will be able to access your current balance and transaction history once you’ve signed in. You can create a User Account. if you do not have a PinetreeCard account.

Option 3 – Check by Phone

The last way to check your Card balance is by telephone. Call your card back with the EBT Customer Service number (1-800-477-7428).

Hotline Customer Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Type your sixteen (16) digit EBT card number after you call and you can hear your new food assistance or cash account balance(s).

Maine EBT Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions about the Maine EBT Card.

Can I use my Maine EBT card in other counties and other states?

Your Maine EBT card can operate at any store or ATM in the United States that accepts EBT cards, as well as the District of Columbia, the U.S. and Guam, and the Virgin Islands.

Furthermore, there are no rules against using your EBT card outside of your home state. However, you are expected to inform your local county public assistance office of any change of address.

What happens if I do not use my benefits?

If you don’t use all of your monthly EBT incentives, the balance will be carried over to the next month at the end of the month.

Do not go for long periods of time, however, without the advantages of using food stamps.

Food stamps or cash payments on EBT cards that have not been used for 365 days (one year) will be withdrawn and can not be restored from your account.

What do I do if I suspect someone has stolen benefits from my EBT Card account?

If your card is lost, stolen, or impaired, contact the Maine EBT Card Customer Service Contact 1-800-477-7428 immediately.

After claiming that your card was lost, stolen, or destroyed, a new card will be mailed to you. Replacement cards are to be issued within three to five business days.

You can also contact your local DHR caseworker or your county social services agency.

How much will I get on my EBT card each month?

The amount of benefits you receive on your EBT Card each month is determined by your income and household size.

You can use the Maximum Monthly SNAP Amount Chart to find out the highest amount of benefits you can receive each month.

Can I have someone else help me shop using my EBT account?

You should ask your local Maine Food Stamps caseworker about setting up an Authorized Representative (AR). The AR will have a separate & different card with his or her own account number and PIN.

Also, the EBT system is able to track which card is used at any time. The AR will have access to all benefit account.

I have seen people purchase non-food items with an EBT card. I thought SNAP was only for food?

Yes, SNAP benefits are only for food. However, some people have an EBT card for their TANF (cash assistance) benefits.

You can use TANF benefits to purchase food and non-food items. For information on TANF eligibility, contact your local government benefits assistance office.

When Can I Call Maine Pine Tree Card Customer Service?

You can reach the Pine Tree card customer service at 1-800-477-7428. You can call customer service for the following reasons:

To get your food supplement account or cash account balance.

For the last 10 transactions on your account.

If you have questions or problems using your EBT card or PIN. Put your card in the machine.

You want to change your PIN.

If your Pine Tree card is lost or stolen.

You feel there is a mistake with your transaction.

How do I report a store or person that I think is misusing food or cash benefits (committing fraud)?

Misusing benefits on purpose is a federal crime. If you misuse benefits, your benefits can be taken away. To report a store or person misusing benefits, click here.

Do I need to give my Social Security Number to apply for Maine EBT?

Applicants are needed to provide their social security number if they have one. If there are any members of the household who do not desire to receive benefits, they must be listed out as household members on the application.

However, they do not need to provide their social security number.

How Long does it take to process Pine Tree EBT Card Applications?

For food supplement applications the normal processing period is 30 days. Some households also have the right to accelerated production.

You can get benefits within 7 days if accepted for expedited processing.

You must have less than $150.00 in gross income, be a migrant or seasonal farmer or have a household whose total liquid assets do not exceed $100 to be eligible for expedited processing.

Additionally, to be eligible for expedited payment, the monthly rent or mortgage and service costs must be greater than the total monthly gross sales.

Are there any fees for using my Maine EBT Card?

There is never a charge for using your card to buy food. However, any Bank surcharges (if any) for using cash machines will be taken from your account.

Can I go to a bank teller and withdraw money from my EBT account?

No, you may only withdraw money from an ATM or through a cash-back/cash-only withdrawal at a participating store. Additionally, bank tellers do not have information or access to EBT accounts.

When is Maine EBT Benefits Deposited?

The day your benefits are available on your Pine Tree Card is based on the last digits of your birth year. Please see the schedule below for the day your benefits will be on your card.

How do I take care of my Maine Pine Tree EBT Card?

It is important to take steps to protect your EBT card from unauthorized use. Here are tips on how you can keep your card safe, including from getting damaged.

Sign the back of your card

Do not write your Pine Tree Card PIN on your card

Keep your card safe and clean

Do not bend your Pine Tree EBT card

Keep your card away from magnets and electronic equipment, such as radios and microwaves.
Do not throw your card away. You will be using the same card every month as long as you continue to receive benefits in Maine.

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