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The United States government has taken a technological step into the future when it comes to the way that government benefits are handled. Instead of having to receive a check or voucher for food, the benefits are uploaded onto a card known as the EBT card or the electronic benefit transfer card, that is used to hold any person’s government benefits that they might have received.
The electronic benefit card is a small debit card sized card that holds an electronic strip that is individualized to the person. The strip contains the government benefits that the person received. These are separated into two different types: Cash and Food.
Cash types of benefits usually come from government programs such as welfare or unemployment. The cash portion of the card can be used at any EBT certified cash register and can be used to obtain any type of goods that the store sells. The EBT card can also be used to get cash back from these EBT cash registers or used at local ATMs like a regular bank card.
The second type of benefits that are uploaded to the EBT card include that in the category of food. Food benefits come from food stamps or the WIC, women infant and children’s program, and can only be used at select locations. The food that is brought using the EBT card must be approved by the USDA’s STAMP program and generally is nutrient rich, healthy foods that are considered a necessary food need.
No matter what type of benefits you are trying to redeem, using the EBT card is very simple. EBT card users will swipe the card through the system and push in a personal identification number to verify that they are the correct holders of the card. The money is taken off the card automatically and the card holder pays nothing at the register.
