Alabama EBT Card Balance: How to Check Your Alabama EBT Card
– Alabama EBT Card Balance –
The Alabama Human Resources Department (DHR) is responsible for providing payments to eligible low-income households from the Alabama Food Stamp program.
The Food Assistance Program’s goal is to end hunger and enhance nutrition by offering monthly food benefits.
If you are eligible for food assistance in Alabama, your benefits will be automatically deposited on an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card.The Alabama EBT Card is similar to a standard ATM or debit card.
Every month, food stamp benefits will be deposited on your Washington EBT Card the same day. Alabama EBT Card benefits can be available on your EBT Card account by 5AM the morning after they are released.
Benefits can be used to make approved purchases of food at qualifying retail locations. Many grocery stores in Alabama recognize EBT cards as their payment.
Alabama Food Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, provides food benefits, access to a healthy diet, and food preparedness and nutrition education for low-income households.
The beneficiaries spend their benefits (provided on an electronic card used as an ATM card) on buying eligible food in authorized retail food stores. SNAP is the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net.
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) partners with state governments, nutrition educators, and community and faith-based groups to ensure that people eligible for nutrition assistance can make educated choices about applying for the program and receive benefits.
The federal name for the program is SNAP. State services can have varying names.
Eligibility Criteria
For this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of Alabama. In order to qualify, you must have an annual household income (before taxes) that is less than or equal to the following amounts:
Annual Household Income Limits (before taxes) |
|
Household Size* | Maximum Income Level (Per Year) |
1 | $16,237 |
2 | $21,983 |
3 | $27,729 |
4 | $33,475 |
5 | $39,221 |
6 | $44,967 |
7 | $50,713 |
8 | $56,459 |
*For households with more than eight people, add $5,746 per additional person. Always check with the appropriate managing agency to ensure the most accurate guidelines.
What’s the Alabama 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 Alabama EBT Card once you’re approved for benefits.
- Alabama’s EBT customer service number is 1-800-997-8888.
Alabama EBT Payment Schedule
Food Stamps Benefits in Alabama are deposited on EBT Cards from the 4th of the month to the 23rd of every month.
When your payment is made depends on the last two digits of your case number. Here is the schedule of payment based on the last two digits of your case number:
If your Case Number ends in | Benefits are deposited on the |
00-04 | 4th of the month |
05-09 | 5th of the month |
10-14 | 6th of the month |
15-19 | 7th of the month |
20-24 | 8th of the month |
25-29 | 9th of the month |
30-34 | 10th of the month |
35-39 | 11th of the month |
40-44 | 12th of the month |
45-49 | 13th of the month |
50-54 | 14th of the month |
55-59 | 15th of the month |
60-64 | 16th of the month |
65-69 | 17th of the month |
70-74 | 18th of the month |
75-79 | 19th of the month |
80-84 | 20th of the month |
85-89 | 21st of the month |
90-94 | 22nd of the month |
95-99 | 23rd of the month |
Once your benefits are deposited into your account, you can begin using them with your Alabama 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 purchase 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
What Can I Buy with EBT?
Food stamps can be used to buy groceries, snacks, and seeds or plants that produce food. You can not use food stamps to purchase alcohol, tobacco products, supplements, live animals, frozen foods, or other household things that are not foods.
WIC food packages (Women, Infants & Children) typically include cereal, juice, eggs, milk, peanut butter, dried and canned beans, tofu, fruits and vegetables, and whole wheat bread.
WIC packets include canned fish and cheese for breastfeeding mothers, as well as baby food. For a full list of approved food items, see the Food Stamps Eligible Food List here.
How to Check your Alabama EBT Card Balance
There are three options for checking your Alabama EBT Card balance. Here they are:
Option 1 – Locate Your Last Purchase Receipt
One of the best ways to check the balance of your Alabama EBT Card is to locate the most recent sales receipt or ATM receipt (only for TANF receivers).
You’ll find the current balance at the bottom of the receipt on your account. To check your balance using this form, be sure to save all of your recent Alabama EBT Card receipts.
Option 2 – Check Your EBT Card Balance Via Phone
One choice is by calling the Alabama EBT Card Customer Service number at 1-800-997-888 to check your card balance. Representatives are available 24 hours a day , 7 days a week to help you get your EBT Card balance back in.
Make sure your EBT Card code, 4-digit PIN, and Social Security Number (SSN) are ready before you call. To collect your balance information you must include this information.
Option 3 – Check Your EBT Card Balance Online
The last way to check the balance on the Alabama EBT Card is online. Using the Alabama Connect EBT website to find out your EBT Card balance online.
Type your User ID and Password on the left side of the page once you are on the web. To access your details about your EBT Card, click the “Login” button when complete.
Additionally, if you don’t have an EBT username from Alabama Connect, click the “Create User Account” link if it’s your first online access to your EBT Card details.
You can see instructions for creating an account to access your EBT Card online.
Alabama EBT Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions about the Alabama EBT Card.
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.
How Do I Buy Food and Items with My Ebt Card?
Here’s how to use your EBT card to purchase food items:
- Swipe your card at the store’s payment machine.
- Then select “EBT” from the card options.
- Next, enter your 4-digit PIN.
- Complete the transaction and take your receipt – it will show your current EBT Card balance at the bottom.
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.
Can I Have Someone Else Help Me Shop Using My Ebt Account?
Ask your local Alabama Food Stamps caseworker about setting up an Authorized Representative (AR). The AR will have a separate card with his or her own account number and PIN.
In addition, the EBT system is able to track which card is used at any time. The AR will have access to your entire benefit account.
What Do I Do if I Suspect Someone Has Stolen Benefits from My Ebt Card Account?
If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, please call the Alabama EBT Card Customer Service phone number toll-free at 1-800-997-8888.
A replacement will be mailed to you upon reporting that your card has been lost, stolen, or damaged. Replacement cards will be received within 3-5 business days. You should also contact your local DHR caseworker to alert them of this.
Are There Any Fees for Using My Alabama 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 Use My Alabama Ebt Card in Other Counties and the Other States?
Your 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 United States.
And Guam and the Virgin Islands. Furthermore, there are no rules against using your EBT card outside of your home state. Nevertheless, you are expected to inform your local county public assistance office of any change of address.
If I Don’t Use All of The Benefits I Received This Month, Will These Benefits Still Be Available to Me Next Month?
Yes, benefits that are not used in the month issued will stay in the EBT account. You may use these benefits in the following months.
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.
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.
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