How to check ebt balance by phone

Welcome to EBT! Your food stamp benefits and/or cash assistance benefits are kept in special accounts for you until you want to use them. The following information tells you how.

For an Adobe Acrobat brochure, follow this link.    

How to Use Your Card at the Store

1. Before you shop, check your last receipt to find out how much money is in your account, or call 1-888-328-2666 for your balance
2. Look for the Quest® mark on the door or the window of the store.
3. At check-out, your card is swiped
4. Enter your secret PIN on the number pad, then press Enter.
5. Tell the clerk how much money to enter or enter the amount yourself. Remember, you can only buy eligible food items with your food benefits.
6. Always check your receipt to make sure that the amount on the EBT receipt is the same as the grocery receipt.

To Get Cash at the Store

1. Get your balance by looking at your receipt, or call 1-888-328-2666.
2. Look for the Quest® mark.
3. Your card is swiped.
4. Enter your secret PIN on the number pad, then press Enter.
5. Tell the clerk how much money to enter or enter the amount yourself.
6. Check to make sure the amount on the receipt is the same as the amount of cash you received.

How to Use Your EBT Card at a Cash Machine (ATM)

1. Always follow directions on the ATM.
2. Enter your secret PIN.
3. Press Withdrawal.
4. Press Checking.
5. Enter the dollar amount you want.
6. Take your cash from the machine.
7. Wait for your card and receipt.
8. Check the receipt to make sure it is the same as the amount you got.
9. DO NOT count your money at the machine.

Keep the receipt so you will know how much you have left in your account.

Safety First

• Have your card ready.
• Choose a well lit ATM in a place where you feel safe.
• Never let anyone see you enter your secret PIN.
• Put your cash, card and receipt away quickly.

How to Take Care of Your EBT Card

• Keep your card in a safe place when you are not using it.
• Never write your secret PIN on your card.
• Do not damage or bend your card.
• Do not write on or scratch the black stripe on the back of your card.
• Do not put your card near magnets, TVs, stereos, VCRs, or even the magnetic clasp on a purse.

Your PIN 

PIN stands for Personal Identification Number.

• Your secret PIN is your electronic signature. It is the key that unlocks your benefit accounts.
• To use your EBT card, you must enter your 4 number secret PIN into the machine.
• Keep your PIN a secret.
• Never write your secret PIN on your card.
• Never let anyone see you enter your secret PIN at a machine, even a store clerk.
• Never give anyone your card or secret PIN. If a person has your card and knows your secret PIN, they can use ALL of your benefits.
• If someone else uses your secret PIN and card, your BENEFITS WILL NOT BE REPLACED.

Your EBT Card

• Take care of your EBT Card
• Keep your card in a safe place
• Save your receipts to check your balances
• Call before you go shopping to get your account balances
• Call right away if your card is lost or stolen
• Call your caseworker for a replacement card.
• If you move, contact your caseworker immediately

CUSTOMER SERVICE ON LINE

You can access your EBT account via the Internet.

www.ct.gov/dss/ebt

Once you establish a web account you will be able to:

• check your balances

• change your PIN

• contact customer service

SURCHARGES AT ATM’s

Did you know that most banks and financial institutions in CT do not charge the usual ATM surcharge? This means that the first two transactions each month, conducted at a bank or credit union are FREE. ATM’s located at convenience stores, however, usually charge fees of $1 to $3!

Once you qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or cash benefits (Temporary Assistance) you receive an EBT card, also known as a Common Benefit Identification Card (CBIC). The EBT card looks like a debit card. The EBT card allows you to buy groceries and other items with your cash benefits at participating stores and other locations.

Get the ConnectEBT Mobile App

The ConnectEBT app is the fast and easy way to monitor your EBT Card’s available balance, deposits, and transaction activity. ConnectEBT.com is always available 24-hours a day. The ConnectEBT App is available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

It’s the easy and free way to manage your EBT Card

• Check your available balance anytime, anywhere
• Review up to 12 months of transaction history
• Confirm your last deposit
• Change your PIN

First Time Mobile App and Website Users

You must register your EBT Card account and select your User ID and password by using either the ConnectEBT mobile app or at ConnectEBT.com for access. Registering on either one also registers you on the other. Have your EBT Card handy when registering.

If you already have your ConnectEBT.com User ID and password, you’re ready to use the same ID and password for the ConnectEBT Mobile App.

How do I use and access my cash and SNAP benefits?

New York recipients may access their cash and SNAP benefits at participating EBT locations anywhere within New York State. Cash benefits may also be accessed at participating ATM and authorized retail store locations.

Your EBT card and Personal Identification Number (PIN) are used at authorized retail stores with your cash or SNAP benefits. Many retail stores also provide cash back with your purchase. Check with the store for their cash back policy.

• Swipe the card.
• Enter your PIN in the machine at the checkout line.
• Only you should enter your PIN.
• Always check and keep your receipts for your EBT purchases.

For more information:

You can use your EBT card at:

Cash Purchases

• Any item may be purchased using your cash benefit account where EBT cards are accepted.
• Please be advised that certain types of businesses are not allowed to let you use your EBT cash benefit to purchase items or to withdraw cash on their premises. This restriction applies whether the business is located in New York, in another state, or on Tribal lands.
  • Businesses are not allowed to let you use your EBT card, nor should you use your card, at:
    • Liquor stores
    • Wine stores
    • Beer/beverage centers
    • Race tracks
    • Casinos
    • Video lottery facilities
    • Off-track betting facilities
    • Commercial bingo facilities; and
    • Places that provide adult oriented entertainment in which performers take off their clothes or perform without clothes

Toll-Free Customer Service Helpline

The toll-free number 1-888-328-6399 - is available in Arabic, Chinese, English, Haitian-Creole, Italian, Korean, Russian, and Spanish to recipients 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

You may use the helpline to:

• Check your SNAP or cash account balance information.
• Hear your last ten transactions.
• Request a printed 2-month statement of your account history.
• File a claim if you suspect that a transaction error occurred.
• Change your PIN.
• Report damaged, lost, or stolen cards, and request a replacement card be mailed to you.

EBT Account Website

EBT cardholders can obtain information in English and Spanish about their accounts by going to https://www.connectebt.com.

• Login using your most recent active card number and PIN.
• Create an account ID and password.

Once you sign in with a valid card number and PIN, the following are some of the available functions:

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