Florida EBT Card Balance: Everything you should know about Florida EBT

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) oversees and administers the Florida Food Stamps program to licensed households.

This involves evaluating and approving new applications, renewals, and prevention of aid program misconduct. If you are eligible for food help in Florida, your benefits will be automatically transferred to an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) account.

The Florida EBT Card, also known as the Florida ACCESS Card, is identical to a commercial debit card or ATM.

You can make accepted purchases with your EBT Card at authorized retail locations. Most grocery stores in Florida accept the ACCESS, Florida Card.

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Florida Food Assistance Program (SNAP)

The SNAP of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), named nutritional aid in Florida and previously known as the Food Stamp Program, offers food benefits, access to a balanced diet, and instruction for low-income families in food preparation and nutrition.

Recipients spend their benefits of buying qualified food in approved retail food stores (provided on an electronic card that is used as an ATM card). SNAP is the biggest home hunger safety net system.

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) partners with state agencies, nutrition educators, and local and religious groups to ensure that those eligible for nutrition assistance can make educated choices about applying for the program and can receive benefits.

What’s the Access Florida Card?

• The Access Florida Card is Florida’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 Access Florida Card once you’re approved for benefits.

Florida EBT Deposit Schedule

The Florida EBT Card holds the food assistance benefits assigned to you each month. Your benefits will be deposited onto your EBT card according to the schedule below: Benefits are only deposited once a day, by 6 am.

If the 9th and 8th digit of your Case number is	Benefits are deposited on the
00-03	1st of the month
04-06	2nd of the month
07-10	3rd of the month
11-13	4th of the month
14-17	5th of the month
18-20	6th of the month
21-24	7th of the month
25-27	8th of the month
28-31	9th of the month
32-34	10th of the month
35-38	11th of the month
39-41	12th of the month
42-45	13th of the month
46-48	14th of the month
49-53	15th of the month
54-57	16th of the month
58-60	17th of the month
61-64	18th of the month
65-67	19th of the month
68-71	20th of the month
72-74	21st of the month
75-78	22nd of the month
79-81	23rd of the month
82-85	24th of the month
86-88	25th of the month
89-92	26th of the month
93-95	27th of the month
96-99	28th of the month

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

Eligibility Criteria

In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of Florida and meet one of the following requirements:

1. You have a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001, or
2. You have a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 and share your household with one of the following:

• a person or persons age 60 and over or
• a person with a disability (a child, your spouse, a parent, or yourself)

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	$24,980
2	$33,820
3	$42,660
4	$51,500
5	$60,340
6	$69,180
7	$78,020
8	$86,860

For households over eight, add $8,840 per person. To ensure the most reliable recommendations always consult with the correct managing department.

Because many programs offer services to families that can qualify them under other local criteria, we strongly recommend that you contact the program for more information and guidance in your community.

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 Florida EBT Card?

You cannot use your Florida 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 Florida 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 your Florida EBT Card Balance

There are three options for checking your ACCESS Florida Card balance. They are:

1. Locate your Last Purchase Receipt

One of the easiest ways to check the balance of your Florida EBT Card is to find the most recent purchase receipt or ATM receipt (for TANF receivers).

You’ll find the current balance at the bottom of the receipt on your card. To check your balance using this form, be sure to save all of your recent ACCESS Florida Card receipts.

2. Check your Balance via Phone

Another option is to check your card balance by calling phone number 1-888-356-3281 of Florida EBT Customer Service.

Make sure your ACCESS card number and PIN number are 16-digit ready. To get your current EBT balance, you must provide this information.

3. Check your Balance Online

The last way to check the balance on the Florida EBT Card is online. You can check the balance of the ACCESS Card online using the Florida EBT Edge account.

Once you have accessed the EBT Edge website, enter your User ID and Password to login and get your balance back. If you do not have an EBT Edge account, click on the Login Portal “Register Here” button.

You’ll see instructions on how to build an EBT Edge account and how to use your Florida EBT Card online.

How do i apply for EBT in Florida?

There are three ways to apply for EBT (Food Assistance) in Florida

1. The easiest way to apply for Florida food stamps is online.
2. You can also apply in person at your local Department of Children and Families (DCF) office.
3. You can also call the Florida Food Stamps Information Line (1-850-300-4323) and have an application mailed to you, which you can complete and return it to your local DCF office.

Which Restaurants take EBT in Florida?

The Restaurant Meals Program is a federal program which allows beneficiaries of eligible elderly , disabled and homeless food stamps to buy food at approved restaurants. Any state or county may register with the Restaurant Meals Program.

The program’s aim is to help extend access to food to those who may not have a place to store and cook food, who may not be able to prepare food, or who have no access to a grocery store.

Unfortunately, at this time Florida is not one of the states that participate in the Restaurant Meals program. And if you have an EBT Card from Florida, you won’t be allowed to use it at a restaurant.

Florida EBT Phone Number

Here’s the number to call if you are trying to reach Florida EBT Customer Service: 1-888-356-3281. You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can call the Florida EBT phone number to:

• Report your card lost, stolen, damaged, or not received in the mail.
• Find out when your benefits will be available in your account each month.
• Know if your benefits have been deposited into your account and get your account balance.
• Hear your last 10 transactions.
• File a claim if you question a transaction in your account.
• Select or change your PIN.
• If your card does not work.
• Find the nearest location where you can use your card.
• Get other questions or problems with your card answered.

How do i use my EBT Card at a Point-of-Sale (POS) or ATM?

1. Follow the instructions provided on the POS/ATM screen.
2. Wait for your receipt. Be sure to check your receipt for accuracy. If the receipt is wrong, tell the cashier right away.
3. Keep your receipt so you will know your balance before you shop the next time.
4. Put your card in a safe place.

How to use your Florida EBT Card to Buy Food

Below are the steps you need to take to buy food that is on the food stamp list at licensed retail stores using your Florida EBT Card. Check your balance before you go shopping. The balance is going to be the most you can spend in your wallet.

Here’s how to use your card to buy food.

1. Swipe your card through the Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal or hand your EBT Card to the clerk.
2. Enter your four-number Personal Identification Number (PIN) on the keypad. Press the “ENTER” key.
3. The clerk enters the purchase amount. If the amount is correct, you press the “OK” or “YES” key.
4. 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. Please note that you cannot be charged a fee to use your food stamp benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions