Alaska EBT Card Balance: All you should Know about Alaska's Quest Card

– Alaska EBT Card Balance –

This is the responsibility of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) to manage Alaska Food Stamp benefits.

The food aid program supports low-income families by providing healthy, affordable food to them. In order to obtain payments, households must follow the federal income eligibility rules.

If you are eligible for food assistance in Alaska, your payments will be automatically deposited on an EBT (Electronic Payments Transfer) card.

The Alaska EBT card is similar to a standard ATM or debit card, also known as the Quest Card. Each month, food stamp benefits will be deposited on your EBT Card the same day.

You can access the Alaska EBT Card benefits by 5AM the morning after they are posted to your EBT Card account.

Benefits may be used to make approved purchases of food at qualifying retail locations. Most grocery stores in Alaska accept the Quest Card as their payment.

Alaska Food Stamp Program

The Alaska Food Stamp program provides food benefits for households with low incomes. The federal government finances 100 per cent of the income from the food stamp.

The Government covers half the costs of running Alaska’s Food Stamp Program. The Public Assistance Division provides benefits for food stamps through the Alaska Quest Card.

Every month, the amount a household receives depends on the household ‘s accounting income and household size. Registered households take advantage of the food stamp benefits to purchase food items from locally approved stores.

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What’s the Alaska Quest Card?

The Alaska Quest Card is Alaska’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 Alaska Quest Card once you’re approved for benefits.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for this incentive program, you must be a resident of the state of Alaska and fall into one of two groups:

(1) those with a current bank balance (savings and checks combined) below $2.001, or

(2) those with a current bank balance (savings and checks combined) below $3.001 who share their household with an individual or persons 60 years of age or over, or with a person with a disability (a person with a disability)

For 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	$20,280
2	$27,469
3	$34,658
4	$41,847
5	$49,036
6	$56,225
7	$63,414
8	$70,603

*For households with more than eight people, add $7,189 per additional person. Always check with the appropriate managing agency to ensure the most accurate guidelines.

Alaska EBT Payment Schedule

The Alaska EBT Card ( also known as the Quest Card) carries the food help benefits that are given to you every month. Food Stamps Proceeds in Alaska are paid on the first day of each month into EBT Card accounts.

Once your benefits are deposited into your account, you can start purchasing eligible food items using your Alaska EBT card.

Stores That Take EBT Online for Delivery

As you may know, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has started a pilot program (Online Purchasing Pilot) to allow select grocery stores to start accepting EBT cards online for grocery shopping, including delivery to your doorstep.

The grocery stores listed below have been approved for the pilot that will offer the ability for EBT cardholders to buy food online for delivery.

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 Alaska EBT Card?

You cannot use your Alaska 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 Alaska 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.

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How to Check your Alaska EBT Card Balance

There are three options for checking your Alaska QUEST Card balance. Here they are:

Option 1 – Locate Your Last Purchase Receipt

One of the easiest ways to check your balance of Alaska EBT cards is to find the most recent purchase receipt or ATM receipt (only for TANF recipients).

At the bottom of the receipt, you will find the current balance on your card. To check your balance using this method, be sure to save all your recent Quest Card receipts.

Option 2 – Check Your Alaska EBT Card Balance Via Phone

Another option is to check your card balance by calling the Alaska Quest Card Customer Service phone number toll-free at 1-888-997-8111 (AlaskaRELAY 1-800-770-8973).

Representatives are available to help you retrieve your EBT Quest Card balance 24 hours a day , 7 days a week.

Before you call, be sure to have your EBT Card number, 4-digit PIN, and Social Security Number (SSN) ready. You must provide this information to receive your EBT Card balance information.

Option 3 – Check Your Alaska EBT Card Balance Online

The last choice to check your Alaska EBT Card balance is online. You can find out your EBT Card balance online by using the Alaska Quest Card website at EBT Bottom.

Once you are on the EBT Edge website, click Cardholder Login and enter your User ID and Password. You must log into your account to check your EBT balance.

Alaska EBT Frequently Asked Questions

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

What Do I Do if I Suspect Someone Has Stolen Benefits from My Ebt Card Account?

If your card is lost, stolen or damaged, contact the Alaska EBT Card Customer Service Call 1-888-997-8111 immediately. After claiming that your card was lost, stolen or damaged, a new card will be mailed to you.

Replacement cards are to be received within three to five business days. You can also contact your local DHSS caseworker or your county social services department.

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

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

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

Yes, the SNAP benefits are for food only. Some people have an EBT card for their TANF (cash help) benefits, however.

You can use the TANF advantages to buy food and non-food products. Contact your local government Service Assistance office for clarification on eligibility for TANF.

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

Ask your local caseworker on creating an Approved Representative (AR) for Alaska Food Stamps. The AR will have a separate card that includes its own account number and PIN.

Additionally, the EBT system can track at any time which card is being used. The AR will be given access to all of your benefit account.

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

Your Alaska EBT card can operate at any store or ATM accepting U.S. EBT Cards, as well as the District of Columbia, U.S.A. And Guam and the Virgin Islands.

Furthermore, there are no rules against using your EBT card outside of your home state.

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 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.

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