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Looking for how to activate your EBT card? This article is for you.
Activating your EBT card is easy and will only take just a few minutes. You can activate your EBT card in two simple ways either by phone or online.
You first need to apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits, once approved, you will be issued the Electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card. The card will arrive in the mail between 5 to 10 days after you applied for it.
Once you receive your card, the first step is to activate it before you can start using it.
Activate EBT card by phone
To activate your EBT card by phone, call the number on the back of the card. It’s typically the customer service number. Once you call the number, follow the automated prompts and select the option “activate your EBT card.”
The prompt is usually as follows:
After you dial the number on the back of the card, you’ll be prompted to press “1” for English or “2” for Spanish. The next step is to enter the 16-digit card number which is located on the front of the card. Enter your date of birth and Social Security Number. Create a 4 number Personal Identification Number (PIN) and then re-enter the PIN number when prompted.
That’s it! you’ve successfully activated your EBT card using the phone option.
Activate EBT card online
You can also activate your EBT card online by following the steps below:
Go to ebtedge.com and click on “Cardholder Login.” Enter the 16-digit card number on the front of your card and click the “Login” button. The next step is to click “PIN Select” and enter your date of birth and Social Security Number. Create a 4 number Personal Identification Number (PIN) and then re-enter the PIN number for confirmation when prompted. Finally, click on “Update.”
That’s it! you’ve successfully activated your EBT card through the online option.
EBT card assistance
If you’re having problems activating or using your card or your card was stolen, lost, or damaged. You can contact the EBT service number. at (800) 997-2555. The customer service number is usually the number on the back of your card.
You can also ask for a replacement for your EBT card if lost, stolen, or damaged. A replacement EBT card will set you back $5 which will be taken from your benefits. In some cases, you won’t pay the $5 fee if the card was lost in the mail or you changed your name or Social Security Number.
The benefit of using your EBT card after activation
There are many benefits to using EBT cards. For one, they help to ensure that benefits are only used for their intended purpose. For example, if someone were to use their SNAP benefits to purchase alcohol, they would be unable to do so, as EBT cards can only be used to purchase food and non-alcoholic beverages.
EBT cards can also help to make sure that benefits are used in a timely manner. For example, if someone were to forget to use their SNAP benefits for a month, they would lose those benefits, as they would be unable to use them the following month.
Overall, EBT cards have many benefits that make them a useful tool for those who receive state-issued benefits.
Bottom line: How to activate an EBT card
You can activate your EBT card in two easy ways, both of which take a few minutes to complete. You can activate your EBT card online or by phone. The number to call to activate an EBT card is usually available on the back of the card.