How To

How to use your EBT Card

All Food Stamps & Most Cash Benefits Are Distributed By EBT

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 you believe you may be a victim to a skimming or phishing scam, call 1-888-328-2666 to cancel your EBT card or change your PIN; notify DSS at 1-855-626-6632 and file a report with your local police department.
• Avoid using common PINs such as 1234, last 4-digits of your Social Security Number, or your Date of Birth. 

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!