How Long Does It Take For Food Stamps To Get On The Card After Being Approved
Once approved for SNAP and/or TANF benefits, your re-loadable EBT card will be mailed to your mailing address on file. The time it takes for benefits to post to an EBT card after approval varies depending on the situation.
EBT Card Issuance
First-time benefit recipients will be mailed an EBT card with instructions on use. If you received benefits in the past 25 months and still have your EBT card, you can still use that card. If you are reapplying for benefits and no longer have your EBT card or your card has expired, please contact EBT customer service at 1-888-356-3281 for a replacement. Your EBT Card will arrive in 5 – 7 business days. If your card has been canceled or has expired, it cannot be used and will need to be replaced.
Using your Card
You can use your EBT card at locations that display the QUEST logo and supported remarks such as “EBT Accepted Here”. Sales tax cannot be charged on items bought with SNAP benefits. Cash benefits can be withdrawn at ATMs displaying the Quest Logo. Cash benefits can be withdrawn with no ATM fees at specific locations. Items can be purchased with cash, and cashback with a purchase is allowed where available. Food Assistance can be used in all 50 states.
Acceptable EBT Purchases
Your EBT card can be used to buy breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, dairy, and plants and seeds to grow food for your household to eat. It cannot be used for food assistance benefits to buy nonfood items such as pet foods, soaps, paper products, household supplies, grooming items, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, food to eat in the store, or hot foods.
PIN Instructions
A PIN (personal identification number) is a secret numeric password shared between a user and the EBT system. To select your PIN code, call the EBT Customer Service at 1-888-356-3281. It is important to keep your PIN number secret, don’t write your PIN on your card, or on anything you keep with your card and/or share your PIN with anyone else. If someone takes your card and knows your PIN, they can use ALL your benefits. These benefits cannot be replaced.
Account Adjustments
Errors on your EBT account do not happen often but can occur. If you notice an error in your account, call EBT Customer Service at 1-888-356-3281 to report the problem. You have 90 days from the date of the suspected error to report and file a claim on your account. If a system error causes you to receive funds to which you were not entitled or causes your account to not be charged for a transaction you did, an adjustment may be completed to reclaim the funds or settle the transaction.
Checking Your Balance
The best way to know your balance(s) is to refer to your last receipt. You may also obtain your balance by logging on to the EBT Cardholder Portal or by calling the EBT Customer Service number (1-888-356-3281) on the back of your card. After you enter your sixteen (16) digit EBT card number, you will hear your current food assistance or cash account balance(s). Unused benefits will rollover each month, and accounts without purchases or returns will expire after 274 days.
Card Care Instructions
It is important to take care of your EBT card. Do not damage or bend your card, write on or scratch the black stripe on the back of your card, get your card wet, put your card near magnets, TV’s, stereos, VCR, or cell phone, leave your card in the sun, or throw your card away.
Customer Service
If you need to report your card lost, stolen, damaged, or not received in the mail, know the date your benefits will be available in your account each month, or check if your benefits have been deposited into your account, you can call EBT Customer Service at 1-888-356-3281.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does it take for benefits to post to an EBT card after approval?
At application, if you have never had a case, it takes 5-7 days to receive an EBT card. At review, unless your case has been closed, you will receive benefits on your normal issuance cycle. If your case has been closed and you are being recertified after your normal issuance cycle, it takes 2 days for benefits to post to your EBT card.
2. Can I use my EBT card outside of the State of Florida?
Cash benefits cannot be used outside of the State of Florida for more than 30 days. However, Food Assistance can be used in all 50 states.
3. What should I do if I notice an error in my EBT account?
If you notice an error in your EBT account, call EBT Customer Service at 1-888-356-3281 to report the problem. You have 90 days from the date of the suspected error to report and file a claim on your account.
4. How can I obtain my EBT card balance?
You can obtain your EBT card balance by referring to your last receipt, logging on to the EBT Cardholder Portal, calling the EBT Customer Service number (1-888-356-3281) on the back of your card, or checking at an ATM or POS machine.
5. What is the process for selecting a PIN code for my EBT card?
To select your PIN code, call the EBT Customer Service at 1-888-356-3281. It is important to keep your PIN number secret and not share it with anyone else.
6. How long do I have to report and file a claim on my EBT account if I notice an error?
You have 90 days from the date of the suspected error to report and file a claim on your EBT account.