Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is an electronic system that allows eligible citizens to receive government assistance such as food stamps and cash assistance. EBT cards are issued to eligible citizens, and they function like a prepaid debit card that can be used to purchase eligible food items. The EBT card is a plastic payment card with a magnetic strip and a PIN. When a participant shops at a SNAP authorized retail store, their SNAP EBT account is debited to reimburse the store for food that was purchased. EBT cards look just like a credit or debit card and work similarly, and help reduce the stigma of nutrition assistance by eliminating conspicuous food stamps. EBT is in use in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.

The use of electronic benefits transfer has expanded due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) is one such program used by the federal government to respond to the needs of families impacted by the pandemic that utilizes the convenience of the EBT card.

In Ohio, the EBT card is known as the Ohio Direction Card, and it holds the food assistance also known as SNAP benefits assigned to eligible citizens each month.

To become authorized to accept SNAP benefits, eligible retailers (including farmers markets or direct-marketing farmers) apply to the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) . If they meet the program’s criteria, they become an authorized retailer and may buy or rent point of service (POS) equipment that allows them to process EBT transactions.

In summary, EBT cards are a card-based system similar to a debit card that allows eligible citizens to receive government assistance such as food stamps and cash assistance. They function like a prepaid debit card and can be used to purchase eligible food items.