Electronic Benefits Transfer
Electronic Benefits Transfer or EBT, allows individuals to receive food
stamp benefits and purchase their food electronically. The benefits are
deposited into the recipients’ accounts each month. Using magnetic
stripe cards similar to debit cards, recipients swipe their cards
through Point of Sale devices in grocery stores at checkout counters.
After entering a PIN (Personal Identification Number), the amount of the
food is deducted electronically from the recipients’ food stamp
accounts.