Learn about EBT Cards

Your Food Stamps and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits will be issued to you on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. The EBT card is like a debit card and can be used at the store to buy food or withdraw cash to pay your rent and bills. Your Food Stamps and TANF benefits will be on the same EBT card, but you can choose which benefit you are using each time you use the card.

When you use your EBT card, you will be given two options at the store. These options are SNAP or CASH. Choose SNAP to use Food Stamps money and choose CASH to use TANF money.

The amount of Food Stamps and TANF you receive is based on your income and family size. The County will determine how much you are eligible to get each month, so your benefits may increase or decrease each month depending on any changes that have occurred.

Purchasing Rules

Food Stamps can only be used to buy food items at the grocery store. You cannot use food stamps to buy anything that is not food. Non-food items can be purchased by choosing CASH to access the TANF money. Your bus pass money will also be issued to the EBT card in the CASH section. You can withdraw money for the bus pass and buy them at the King Soopers customer service counter.

It is important to remember to use the SNAP option when buying food. If you accidentally use TANF to buy food, and spend money from that section of the card, you still cannot use the SNAP section for anything besides food. This could cause problems if you needed that TANF money for rent or bills.

Income Reporting and Changes to Benefits
 

Both Food Stamps and TANF are based on your family’s income. Each month, the county will issue benefits to your EBT card based on your reported income. If the county has the wrong information about your income, you might get more or less benefits than you should. If you receive more benefits, the county will make you pay those back. If you receive less benefits, you will not receive any additional uploads until accurate income is reported to the county. It is very important to always report accurate income information to IRC and the County.

If your income goes over a certain limit, your food stamps and TANF benefits will stop.

Checking Benefit Amounts

Every time you make a purchase with your EBT card, the receipt will show you how much you spent and how much you have left on your card. You can also call the number on the back of the card (1-888-328-2656). This number will take you to an automated system that is only offered in English and Spanish, so may not be the best option for you. If you are able, you can follow the prompts and it will tell you your balance.

Temporary and Permanent EBT Cards

Normally, EBT cards are connected to you by your Social Security Number (SSN). Since you have not received your SSN, the county has issued a temporary EBT card to use until you receive your SSN. Once you get your SSN, the county will issue you a new, permanent EBT card, and ongoing benefits will go to this card. You will still be able to use any benefits left on the temporary EBT card until they are gone, but it will not have new benefits uploaded to it anymore.

Replacing an EBT card

If you lose your EBT card, you can get a new one at the County office, or request one be mailed to you. IRC can assist you if you need help getting a new EBT card.