\If you have a Maine 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 Maine EBT Card Balance.
This Post Will Cover:
- How to Check Maine EBT Card Balance
- List of Stores That Take EBT Online for Delivery
- Maine 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.
Maine EBT Card
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is responsible for administering Maine Food Stamp benefits to approved, low-income households who meet income and other requirements.
The Food Supplement Program provides crucial food and nutritional support to qualifying low-income and needy households.
If you are approved for the Maine Food Supplement Program, your benefits will be deposited electronically on an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card.
The Maine EBT Card, also known as the Maine Pine Tree Card is similar to a standard ATM or debit card.
The state of Maine deposits food stamp benefits on your EBT Card on the same day every month.
Maine 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 Maine grocery stores accept EBT Cards as payment. Also, some grocery stores accept EBT online for pickup and delivery.
Additionally, you can use your Maine 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 Maine 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 Maine EBT Card, keep reading below.
How to Check your Maine EBT Card Balance
There are three options for checking your Maine Pine Tree Card balance. Here they are:
Option 1 – Locate Your Last Purchase Receipt
One of the easiest ways to check your Maine 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 Maine Pine Tree Card receipts.
Option 2 – Check Your Pine Tree Card Balance Via Phone
Another option is to check your card balance by calling the Maine EBT Card Customer Service phone number at 1-800-477-7428.
Representatives are available to help you retrieve your Pine Tree 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 Pine Tree Card Balance Online
The last option to check your Maine EBT Card balance is online. You can find out your EBT Card balance online by using the Maine Pine Tree Card website.
Once you are there, enter your User ID and Password. You must log in to your account to check your EBT balance.
For more help, please refer to the screenshot below.
Stores That Take EBT Online for Delivery in Maine
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 Maine EBT Cards online for home delivery or store pick-up.
Maine EBT cardholders can buy food online for delivery and/or pickup from the approved grocery stores listed below.
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Sam’s Club Scan and Go
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Tozier’s Family Market
For more information about how you can use your EBT Card to shop online for delivery, click here.
Maine EBT Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions about the Maine 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.
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 TANF (cash assistance) benefits.
You can use TANF benefits to purchase food and non-food items. For information on TANF eligibility, contact your local government benefits assistance office.
Where can’t I use my Maine EBT Card?
You cannot use your Maine 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 Maine Food Stamps caseworker about setting up an Authorized Representative (AR). 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 Maine EBT card in other counties and other states?
Your Maine 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.
What happens if I do not use my benefits?
If you do not use all your EBT benefits for the month, your balance at the end of the month is carried over to the next month.
However, do not go for long periods of time without using your food stamps benefits.
Food stamps or cash payments on EBT cards that have not been accessed for 365 days (one year) will be removed from your account and cannot be restored.
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 Maine EBT Card Customer Service phone number at 1-800-477-7428.
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 county Social Services Agency or your local DHR 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.
When is Maine EBT Benefits Deposited?
The day your benefits are available on your Pine Tree Card is based on the last digits of your birth year.
Please see the schedule below for the day your benefits will be on your card.
| If the Last digit of your Birth Day ends in | Benefits are deposited on the |
| 0 or 9 | 10th of the month |
| 1 or 8 | 11th of the month |
| 2 or 3 | 12th of the month |
| 4 or 7 | 13th of the month |
| 5 or 6 | 14th of the month |
Are there any fees for using my Maine 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.
When Can I Call Maine Pine Tree Card Customer Service?
You can reach the Pine Tree card customer service at 1-800-477-7428. You can call customer service for the following reasons:
- To get your food supplement account or cash account balance.
- For the last 10 transactions on your account.
- If you have questions or problems using your EBT card or PIN. Put your card in the machine.
- You want to change your PIN.
- If your Pine Tree card is lost or stolen.
- You feel there is a mistake with your transaction.
How do I take care of my Maine Pine Tree EBT Card?
It is important to take steps to protect your EBT card from unauthorized use. Here are tips on how you can keep your card safe, including from getting damaged.
- Sign the back of your card
- Do not write your Pine Tree Card PIN on your card
- Keep your card safe and clean
- Do not bend your Pine Tree EBT card
- Keep your card away from magnets and electronic equipment, such as radios and microwaves.
Do not throw your card away. You will be using the same card every month as long as you continue to receive benefits in Maine.
Do I need to give my Social Security Number to apply for Maine EBT?
Applicants are required to provide their social security number if they have one.
If there are members of the household who do not wish to receive benefits, they must be listed as household members on the application.
However, they do not need to provide their social security number.
How Long does it take to process Pine Tree EBT Card Applications?
The normal processing time for food supplement applications is 30 days.
However, certain households are entitled to expedited processing. If approved for expedited processing, you can get benefits within 7 days.
To be approved for expedited processing, you must have less than $150.00 in gross income, be a migrant or seasonal farmworker, or have a household whose total liquid assets do not exceed $100.
In addition, your monthly rent or mortgage and utilities expenses must be higher than the combined monthly gross income to be eligibe for expedited processing.
Did you know that there are exclusive discounts and freebies available to Maine EBT Cardholders? It’s true!
If you are currently receiving food stamps, find out how you can save with your California EBT Card.
You can qualify for discounted phone service, internet, free museum admission, and even over 50% off on Amazon Prime!
Check out how you can save with your Maine EBT card here.
Maine EBT Card Account
We hope this article on how to check your Maine 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 Maine Pine Tree 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.