The EBT/SNAP Program

  (also known as the food stamp program)

 

 

 

 

Take your customer base to new heights

(tremendously fast-growing form of government-issued benefits)

 

EBT is the delivery of government benefit funds via electronic means.As more of our society utilizes government sponsored programs EBT is a payment option growing at a tremendous rate. Federal law mandated that all federal aid distributions must be made electronically by 1999. Government programs such as Social Security, state issued food stamps, Women/Infants/Children (WIC) and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), issue benefits on an electronic card known as an EBT card.

 

All Food and Consumer Services (FCS) certified stores could participate in The Purchase Card Program. If you choose not to participate, you will not be able to accept Food Stamp Purchases or Public Assistance from customers with the Purchase Card.

 

Food Benifits

 

EBT cards work exactly like a debit card. The merchant will swipe the card through their normal credit card terminal* and the consumer will type in their PIN. Once the transaction is approved it is treated exactly like a debit card  and the amount will be credited to your bank account the same way. 

 

*A Pin-Pad is required

 

Cash Benefits

 

Unlike the SNAP (food stamp) portion of EBT, no certification is required by the goverment. Cash benefits may be used to purchase any item at a participating retailer, as well as to obtain cash-back or make a cash withdrawal from a participating ATM. Best of all, surcharges are allowed just like debit to cover your cost.

 

 

Two General Catagories:

Food & Cash

 

Food benefits are federally authorized benefits that can be used only to purchase food and non-alcoholic beverages. Food benefits are distributed through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).  

 

Cash benefits include state general assistance,Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits and refugee benefits. 

 

SNAP retailers must pay for their own Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) equipment.

 

Retailers will no longer be offered free EBT equipment, supplies and related services (“EBT equipment and 

services”) to participate in SNAP. Retailers that become SNAP-authorized after March 21, 2014, must pay for their 

own EBT equipment and services. Retailers authorized on or before March 21, 2014, and who have already been 

given free EBT equipment and services by the State may, at the State’s option, continue to use the EBT equipment

and services for free until September 21, 2014. Such SNAP-authorized retailers should arrange for lease or 

purchase of EBT equipment and services as soon as they can in order to ensure continued participation in 

SNAP. States may provide retailers that use free EBT equipment and services with further instructions and 

deadlines.

EXCEPTIONS: Eligible farmers’ markets, direct-marketing farmers, military commissaries, non-profit 

cooperatives or organizations, group living arrangements, treatment centers, and prepared meal services may 

continue to qualify for free EBT equipment and services until further notice

USDA EBT/SNAP NOTICE!!!