If you have an Iowa EBT Card, there are several ways you can obtain the balance on your card. In this post, we will explain in detail the three ways you can check your Iowa EBT Card Balance.
This Post Will Cover:
- Iowa EBT Card Balance Check
- How to use your Iowa EBT Card Online
- EBT Card Discounts and Savings
- Iowa EBT Frequently Asked Questions
News Alert: Did you know you can use your SNAP EBT Card to buy groceries on Amazon? Click here to find out how.
Iowa EBT Card
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for administering Iowa Food Stamp benefits to approved, low-income households who meet income and other requirements.
The food stamps program is also referred to as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP helps households by providing them with healthy, nutritious food to put on the table.
Healthy food can be expensive and families with a limited income need extra help purchasing the food needed for adequate nutrition.
If you are approved for Iowa Food Assistance, your food stamp benefits will be deposited electronically on an Iowa EBT Card.
The Iowa Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card is similar to a standard ATM or debit card.
The state of Iowa deposits food stamp benefits on your EBT Card on the same day every month.
Iowa EBT Card benefits can be accessed by 5 AM the morning after they are posted to your EBT Card account.
You can use the benefits to make approved food purchases at eligible retail locations.
Most Iowa grocery stores accept EBT Cards as payment. Also, some grocery stores accept EBT online for pickup and delivery.
Additionally, you can use your Iowa EBT card at most farmers’ markets, including at select locations where you can double your money when you buy produce.
Lastly, you can get discounts and perks with your Iowa EBT, including 50% off Amazon Prime, Free or Discounted phone and internet services, and more.
For instructions on how to check the balance on your Iowa EBT Card, keep reading below.
How to Check your Iowa EBT Card Balance
There are three options for checking your Iowa EBT Card balance. Here they are:
Option 1 – Locate Your Last Purchase Receipt
One of the easiest ways to check your Iowa EBT Card balance is to find the most recent purchase receipt or ATM receipt (for TANF recipients only).
At the bottom of the receipt, you will find the current balance on your card.
In order to use this method to check your balance, be sure to save all of your recent EBT Card receipts.
Option 2 – Check Your Card Balance Via Phone
Another option is to check your card balance by calling the Iowa EBT Card Customer Service phone number at 1-800-359-5802.
Representatives are available to help you retrieve your Card balance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Before you call, be sure to have your EBT Card number, 4-digit PIN, and Social Security Number (SSN) ready.
You must provide this information to receive your EBT card balance information.
Option 3 – Check Your Iowa EBT Card Balance Online
The last option to check your Iowa EBT Card balance is online. You can find out your EBT Card balance online by using the Iowa Connect EBT website.
Once you are on the site, enter your User ID and Password in the login section on the left-side of the page.
You must enter your User ID and Password to login to your Iowa EBT account and check your EBT balance.
For more help, please refer to the screenshot below.
To find out how to use your Iowa EBT Card online for grocery delivery, keep reading below.
Stores That Take EBT Online for Delivery in Iowa
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched the Online Purchasing Pilot to allow select grocery stores to accept EBT cards online.
Currently, there are 9 grocery stores that accept Iowa EBT Cards online for home delivery or store pick-up.
Iowa EBT cardholders can buy food online for delivery and/or pickup from the approved grocery stores listed below.
-
Jewel Osco
-
New Pioneer Food Co-op
-
Ramsey’s Market
-
Sam’s Club Scan and Go
Iowa EBT Card Discounts and Savings
Did you know that there are exclusive discounts and freebies available to Iowa EBT Cardholders? It’s true!
If you are currently receiving food stamps, find out how you can save with your Iowa EBT Card.
You can qualify for discounted phone service, internet, free museum admission, and even over save over 50% OFF on Amazon Prime!
Check out how you can save with your Iowa EBT card here.
Iowa EBT Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions about the Iowa EBT Card.
How much will I get on my EBT card each month?
The amount of benefits you receive on your EBT Card each month is determined by your income and household size.
You can use the Maximum Monthly SNAP Amount Chart to find out the highest amount of benefits you can receive each month.
When are my benefits deposited on my Iowa EBT Card?
Your EBT Card benefits are deposited based on the first letter of your last name. To find your scheduled Iowa EBT Deposit Date, view the schedule below.
|
First Letter of Last Name: |
Day of Month: |
|
A-B |
1st Calendar day |
|
C-D |
2nd Calendar day |
|
E-G |
3rd Calendar day |
|
H-I |
4th Calendar day |
|
J-L |
5th Calendar day |
|
M-O |
6th Calendar day |
|
P-R |
7th Calendar day |
|
S |
8th Calendar day |
|
T-V |
9th Calendar day |
|
W-Z |
10th Calendar day |
I have seen people purchase non-food items with an EBT card. I thought SNAP was only for food?
Yes, SNAP benefits are only for food. However, some people have an EBT card for their cash assistance benefits.
You can use cash assistance benefits to purchase food and non-food items. For information on cash assistance eligibility, contact your local government benefits assistance office.
Where can’t I use my Iowa EBT Card?
You cannot use your Iowa EBT Card at the following locations:
- Casinos
- Poker Rooms
- Card Rooms
- Smoke & Cannabis Shops
- Adult Entertainment Businesses
- Nightclubs/Saloons/Taverns
- Tattoo & Piercing Shops
- Spa/Massage Salons
- Bingo Halls
- Bail Bonds
- Racetracks
- Gun/Ammo Stores
- Cruise Ships
- Psychic Readers
Can I have someone else help me shop using my EBT account?
Ask your local Iowa Food Stamps caseworker about setting up an Authorized Representative (AR) for your EBT account. The AR will have a separate card with his or her own account number and PIN.
In addition, the EBT system is able to track which card is used at any time. The AR will have access to your entire benefit account.
Can I use my Iowa EBT card in other counties and other states?
Your Iowa EBT card will work at any store or ATM that accepts EBT cards in the United States, as well as the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam.
Additionally, there are no rules against using your EBT card outside of your state of residence. However, you are required to report any address change to your local county public assistance office.
If I don’t use all of the benefits I received this month, will these benefits still be available to me next month?
Yes, benefits that are not used in the month issued will stay in the EBT account. You may use these benefits in the following months.
What do I do if I suspect someone has stolen benefits from my EBT Card account?
If your card is lost, stolen or damaged, immediately call the Iowa EBT Card Customer Service phone number at 1-800-359-5802.
A replacement card will be mailed to you upon reporting that your card has been lost, stolen or damaged. Replacement cards will be received within 3-5 business days.
You can also contact your local county DHS caseworker.
How do I report a store or person that I think is misusing food or cash benefits (committing fraud)?
Misusing benefits on purpose is a federal crime. If you misuse benefits, your benefits can be taken away. To report a store or person misusing benefits, click here.
What items am I allowed to purchase with my EBT card?
For information on items that you are allowed to purchase with EBT food benefits, click here. Cash aid may be used to purchase anything that can be legally purchased with currency (cash).
Can I go to a bank teller and withdraw money from my EBT account?
No, you may only withdraw money from an ATM or through a cash-back/cash-only withdrawal at a participating store.
Additionally, bank tellers do not have information or access to EBT accounts.
Are there any fees for using my Iowa EBT Card?
There is never a charge for using your card to buy food. However, any Bank surcharges (if any) for using cash machines will be taken from your account.
How do I buy food and items with my EBT Card?
Here’s how to use your EBT card to purchase food items:
1. Know your account balance before you shop. Check your last receipt, call Customer Service or go to ConnectEBT.com.
2. At the checkout lane, tell the cashier that you are using your card and which account you want to use – Food Stamps or Cash.
3. When it is time to pay, swipe your card through the POS machine and select EBT from the POS screen.
4. Enter your PIN on the machine’s PIN pad.
5. The machine will print a receipt with the store name and location, transaction type, transaction amount and remaining account balance.
6. Remember to take your card and receipt with you when you leave.
7. Save your receipt so you know your balance next time you go shopping
Iowa EBT Card Account
We hope this article on how to check your Iowa EBT Card Balance was helpful.
If so, we encourage you to share this article with anyone who may also find it helpful by using the “Share this” button below.
If you have additional questions about the Iowa EBT Card, please leave those in the comments section below. We are here to help you!
Be sure to check out our other articles about EBT Discounts, including How to get 50% OFF Amazon Prime for EBT Cardholders and Medicaid Cardholders, and Lifeline Discounted Phone Program for EBT Cardholders.