How to Use EBT Card 2026: SNAP Benefits, What You Can Buy & Balance Checking

Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is the federal system that delivers SNAP food benefits onto a payment card that works like a regular debit card at any SNAP-authorized retailer. EBT has been the only way SNAP benefits are issued in all 50 states since June 2004, and the same card model is used in DC, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam.

If you just received your first EBT card or you have had one for a while but are not sure about all the rules, this guide walks through everything: how to activate the card, how to check your balance, where you can swipe it, what foods qualify (and which do not), how online grocery purchases work, what to do if the card is lost or skimmed, and how to use EBT in disaster situations.

How do you activate a new EBT card?

Every state has its own EBT card vendor and activation process, but the steps follow the same pattern. Call the customer service number printed on the back of your EBT card, follow the prompts to enter your card number and the last four digits of your Social Security number, and choose a four-digit PIN. The PIN is what you will enter at the checkout terminal every time you use the card.

Some states let you activate the card and set the PIN through a state-managed online portal or mobile app. Check your state’s SNAP agency website for the option that applies to you. Never set a PIN that is easy to guess (1234, your birthday, your address) because EBT skimming and fraud have spiked sharply since 2022 and a weak PIN makes you a target.

How do you check your EBT balance?

Three options work in every state: call the customer service number on the back of your card and follow the prompts, log into your state’s EBT app or online portal, or look at your last grocery receipt (most retailers print your remaining SNAP balance at the bottom). The mobile app option is fastest for daily checking.

You should check your balance at least weekly. EBT skimming and stolen benefits became so common that the federal government created a replacement program under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, but you can only report a theft within 30 days of the unauthorized transaction. Catching a fraudulent charge fast is critical.

What foods can you buy with an EBT card?

SNAP benefits cover any food intended for home preparation and consumption. The complete list of eligible categories is straightforward.

• Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, canned, or dried)
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, butter)
• Breads and cereals
• Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
• Seeds and plants that produce food for the household

The seeds and plants category is one of the most underused SNAP features. A $20 packet of tomato or pepper seeds bought with SNAP can produce hundreds of dollars of vegetables over the growing season. Many community gardens and seed cooperatives accept SNAP for this reason.

What can SNAP NOT buy?

Federal law strictly prohibits SNAP from being used for certain categories regardless of nutritional content. These rules are enforced at the cash register through the SNAP retailer authorization system.

• Beer, wine, liquor, and other alcoholic beverages
• Cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products
• Cannabis, marijuana, and CBD products (even in states where these are legal)
• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements (anything with a “Supplement Facts” label)
• Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered before pickup)
• Hot prepared foods sold ready to eat at the store
• Pet food
• Cleaning supplies, paper products, hygiene items, cosmetics, and other nonfood goods

The “hot foods” prohibition is the most surprising for many new SNAP users. A rotisserie chicken cooked behind the counter cannot be bought with SNAP, but the same brand of chicken sold cold from the refrigerated case can. The rule looks at the temperature at point of sale, not whether you reheat it at home.

Can you use EBT to buy groceries online?

Yes. USDA approved SNAP online purchasing in 2017 and the program now operates in all 50 states. The list of participating retailers includes Amazon, Walmart, Target, Kroger, Aldi, Safeway, Albertsons, ShopRite, and many regional chains plus a growing number of local stores using third-party platforms.

SNAP can cover the food portion of an online order, but it cannot cover delivery fees, service fees, tips, or any nonfood items in the same cart. Most retailers let you split-tender at checkout, paying for food with SNAP and adding a regular debit or credit card for everything else.

What is the difference between SNAP and cash benefits on the same card?

Most state EBT cards carry two separate accounts: a SNAP account for food only, and a cash account for cash assistance programs like TANF, state general assistance, or refugee cash assistance. The two accounts are tracked separately, and only the cash account can be used at ATMs or for nonfood purchases.

When you swipe the card at a grocery store, the terminal asks you to choose between SNAP and cash. SNAP is the default for food items; cash should only be selected for nonfood items if you have cash benefits loaded on the card and you specifically want to spend them.

What happens if you lose your EBT card or it gets stolen?

Report a lost or stolen card immediately by calling the customer service number on your state’s EBT website (the number is also usually on file with your local SNAP office). Reporting promptly is critical: any unauthorized transactions made before you report the loss are usually your responsibility unless they qualify under the federal benefit replacement program.

State EBT vendors typically issue a replacement card within 3 to 7 business days, sometimes faster in urgent cases. Your benefits stay in your account during the replacement period, and your old PIN is canceled. You will choose a new PIN when you activate the replacement card.

EBT card skimming protection

Card skimming devices placed on POS terminals stole an estimated $30 million in SNAP benefits nationwide in 2024 alone. To protect yourself, check the card slot for tampering before inserting your card (loose covers, scratches, hidden cameras above the keypad), use chip-based EBT cards instead of magnetic stripe swipes whenever possible, and change your PIN every 1 to 2 months. Many state agencies now offer “card lock” features in their EBT app that disable the card between shopping trips.

What is Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP)?

D-SNAP is a temporary, emergency version of SNAP that USDA activates after presidentially declared disasters. People who would not normally qualify for SNAP may be eligible for D-SNAP because of disaster-related expenses (lost income, evacuation costs, home damage) that bring their net income within D-SNAP limits.

Existing SNAP recipients in disaster areas often receive automatic supplemental benefits and can use their existing EBT cards to buy hot prepared foods (a temporary exception to the normal hot foods rule). Watch local news and the USDA Disaster Assistance page for activation announcements.

How long do unused EBT benefits stay in your account?

Federal rules require state agencies to expunge unused SNAP benefits after a period of inactivity. The standard rule is 274 days (nine months) of zero use, meaning if you do not make any SNAP purchase in nine months, your remaining balance is removed from your account and returned to the federal government.

Some states use shorter expungement periods (some are as short as 30 days for inactive accounts on case closure). To keep your benefits active, make at least one SNAP transaction every few months, even a small one. Your benefits do roll over month to month if you do not use them, but only up to the expungement deadline.

Where can you find your nearest SNAP retailer?

Use the USDA SNAP Retailer Locator at fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator to find every store within a chosen radius that accepts SNAP. The locator shows large supermarket chains, small corner stores, farmer’s markets, gas station convenience stores, and any other retailer with an active SNAP authorization.

Farmer’s markets are an underused SNAP venue. Most states pair SNAP purchases at farmer’s markets with bonus programs like Double Up Food Bucks, which match every SNAP dollar spent on produce with an extra dollar of free produce. The matching limit is usually $10 or $20 per visit, but used weekly that can add up to hundreds of dollars of free vegetables per year.