If you receive food assistance benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Nebraska, you can check your EBT card balance in a few different ways. Your EBT card allows you to access your SNAP benefits to purchase eligible food items at authorized retailers. It’s important to keep track of your EBT balance so you know how much you have left to spend for the month.
Check Your Balance By Phone
One way to check your Nebraska EBT balance is by calling the toll-free customer service number printed on the back of your card. The number is 1-800-997-2222. When you call, you will need to enter your 16-digit EBT card number and PIN to access your account balance. The automated phone system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Have Your EBT Card Ready
Before you call, make sure you have your EBT card in hand. You will need to enter the 16-digit card number into the phone system in order to access your account. Your card number is printed on the front of the card. Do not share this number with anyone besides the EBT customer service line.
Know Your PIN
You will also need to enter your 4-digit personal identification number (PIN) to check your balance by phone. When you were approved for SNAP benefits, you should have selected a PIN to use with your EBT card. Do not share your PIN with anyone besides SNAP customer service staff. If you have forgotten or lost your PIN, you can call the toll-free number and follow the prompts to reset it.
Check Your Balance Online
Another way to check your balance is by logging into your online EBT account. You can create an account at www.connectebt.com. This website allows you to check your food stamp balance, view your transaction history, and receive notifications about your account. To register, you will need your EBT card number, social security number, date of birth, and residential address.
Create a Login
The online account system will walk you through the steps to establish a username and password. Make sure you choose login credentials that are secure but also easy for you to remember. Write them down in a safe place for future reference.
Check Current Balance
When you log in to your ConnectEBT account, your current EBT balance will be displayed. You can view the remaining benefits you have to spend for the month. Your transaction history showing your recent EBT purchases will also be available to view. Keeping track of your spending on this website can help you budget your food assistance funds.
Check Your Balance at the Store
You also have the option to check your Nebraska EBT card balance when you shop at authorized SNAP retailers. Before you begin ringing up your groceries, swipe your EBT card through the point of sale terminal like you would a debit card. The terminal will connect to the EBT system and display your current SNAP balance. This allows you to know how much you have left before paying for your transaction.
Swipe Your EBT Card First
When checking your balance at checkout, it’s important to swipe your EBT card first before any other form of payment. If you swipe a debit card or pay with cash first, you will not be able to then check your SNAP balance at that time. The EBT card should be swiped first so the system can identify you as a SNAP recipient when displaying your balance.
Do Not Enter Your PIN
When swiping your EBT card first to check your balance, do not enter your PIN after swiping. Simply swipe the card and your remaining SNAP funds will be displayed on the terminal screen. Entering your PIN authorizes a transaction, which you do not want to do until after verifying your balance.
Check Your Balance on Your Mobile Device
If you have a smartphone, you can download the free ConnectEBT mobile app to check your EBT balance on the go. The app is available for both Apple and Android devices. To use it, you will need to log in with the same username and password as your online account. The mobile app provides the same account access, allowing you to view your current SNAP balance, transaction history, and receive alerts.
Download the App
To download the ConnectEBT mobile app, visit the App Store if you have an iPhone or iPad, or Google Play if you have an Android device. Search for “ConnectEBT” and download the app to your phone or tablet. You can use the app to check your balance no matter where you are, as long as you have your mobile device with you.
Log In
Once downloaded, open the ConnectEBT app and log in using your existing online account username and password. If you have not previously set up an online account, you can use the app to do so. Provide your EBT card details, social security number, date of birth and address to register directly in the app.
Request a Balance Inquiry at Withdrawal
If you withdraw cash benefits from your Nebraska EBT card at an ATM, you can request a balance inquiry during the transaction. After inserting your EBT card into the ATM, choose the option to withdraw funds from your cash account. Before completing the withdrawal, you should be given the option to request your current balance. Your total SNAP and cash assistance balances will print on your receipt after finishing the transaction.
Insert Your EBT Card
To check your balance at an ATM, start by inserting your EBT card into the machine and entering your 4-digit PIN when prompted. Select the option to withdraw funds from your cash account (usually choice #2). Follow the steps to enter the amount of cash you wish to withdraw.
Select “Balance Inquiry”
Before confirming the withdrawal, look for a “Balance Inquiry” option on the screen. Select this option to request your current EBT benefit balances. The ATM will communicate with the EBT system to retrieve your balances before completing the transaction.
Avoid Balance Inquiry Fees
It is important to note that some ATMs may charge a fee just to check your EBT balance, even if you do not withdraw any cash. These fees can range from $0.50 to $3.00. To avoid fees, use an ATM affiliated with MoneyPass. You can locate these by looking for the MoneyPass logo on the ATM. MoneyPass machines allow EBT cardholders to conduct balance inquiries at no cost.
Look for MoneyPass ATMs
MoneyPass has over 30,000 ATMs nationwide that participate in their surcharge-free network for EBT cardholders. ATMs that are part of the MoneyPass network will have a green MoneyPass logo on the front. You can conduct a balance inquiry at any MoneyPass ATM without incurring a fee.
Avoid Private ATM Charges
Private, non-affiliated ATMs often charge fees for EBT balance inquiries, sometimes as high as $3.00 per inquiry. Only use private ATMs if necessary, and if there are no MoneyPass ATMs nearby. Otherwise, it’s best to avoid the fees and locate a MoneyPass ATM using their ATM locator on their website.
Monitor Your Balance Regularly
The easiest way to manage your SNAP benefits is to monitor your EBT balance regularly. When you check your balance frequently, you can track your spending patterns and avoid overdrawing your available funds for the month. Get in the habit of checking your card balance with each purchase or at least weekly when possible.
Avoid Mid-Month Shortages
Running out of SNAP benefits in the middle of the month can put you in a difficult position. Checking your balance often helps you pace out your food shopping and meal planning appropriately. You can better anticipate when your funds will run low and plan low-cost meals accordingly.
Catch Errors Quickly
Frequently monitoring your EBT balance also helps you identify any potential errors or fraudulent charges on your account. The sooner you catch mistakes, the quicker you can have them corrected. Report any unknown EBT transactions to your caseworker.
Plan Accordingly for the Month
Use EBT balance checks as an opportunity to plan your spending for the remainder of the month. When reviewing your balance, determine if you have enough to suffice until your next benefits deposit. If your balance seems inadequate for the remainder of the month, you may need to turn to food banks/pantries or reduce spending in other areas to have enough food.
Compare Expenses to Balance
When you check your SNAP balance, take a moment to add up your estimated food expenses for the rest of the month. Will your remaining balance realistically cover groceries, school lunches, etc? Comparing expenses to your EBT balance helps identify if you need to make adjustments to stay within your SNAP budget.
Utilize Community Resources to Fill Gaps
If it appears your EBT benefits will run short, look for ways to supplement your groceries, such as food banks, church pantries, discounted meal programs for kids, and community gardens. These resources can help fill gaps if your SNAP benefits do not stretch far enough for the month.
| EBT Balance Check Method | What You’ll Need | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Call the EBT Customer Service Number | Your EBT card number and PIN | Check your balance by phone 24/7; automated system |
| Check Online | EBT card number, SSN, DOB, address to register | View balance and transaction history; receive alerts |
| Check at Retailers | Your EBT card | Verify balance at checkout before purchasing |
| Use the ConnectEBT Mobile App | Smartphone, account login info | Check your EBT balance anywhere mobile |
| ATM Balance Inquiry | Your EBT card and PIN | Printout of balance provided after transactions |
Replace Your EBT Card if Lost or Stolen
If your EBT card is ever lost, stolen or damaged, it is important to report it right away. You can call the 24-hour Toll-Free SNAP Client Help Desk number at 1-800-383-4278 to request a replacement card. Your benefits are protected, but you need a working EBT card to access your funds. Until the replacement arrives, speak to your caseworker about your options for purchasing food without your card.
No Cost for Replacement Cards
Nebraska will replace lost, stolen or damaged SNAP EBT cards at no cost to the beneficiary. You can request a free replacement card by calling the Help Desk. Just be sure to report your missing card right away so no one else can use it.
Emergency Benefits May be Available
If you report your EBT card missing and it will take more than 24 hours to receive a replacement, you may be eligible for emergency SNAP benefits. These short-term benefits would be provided on a different card to purchase immediate food needs. Contact your local SNAP office to inquire about emergency allotments.
Change Your PIN if Compromised
If you suspect someone else knows your EBT card PIN, change it right away by calling customer service. Do not share your PIN with anyone. If someone gains access to your PIN, they can use your SNAP benefits without your permission. Protect your benefits by keeping your PIN confidential.
Never Share Your PIN
Never provide your personal identification number to a cashier or anyone else. The only entity that should have your PIN on record is SNAP customer service. Not even grocery store employees need access to your PIN to run EBT purchases.
Change It Quickly if Compromised
If you mistakenly shared your PIN or suspect someone saw it, take immediate steps to change it. Call the toll-free customer service number as soon as possible and follow prompts to reset your PIN. Chose a new number that you can remember but would not be easy to guess.
Conclusion
Monitoring your EBT balance regularly is the best practice to stretch your SNAP food dollars and avoid running short on benefits. Take advantage of the phone line, online account access, mobile app, and in-store balance checks to stay updated. With some planning and responsible spending, you can manage your SNAP funds to cover your food needs throughout each month. Use the resources Nebraska provides like the 24-hour customer service line and replacement card process in order to maintain access to your important nutrition benefits.
