If you have a Maryland 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 Maryland EBT Card Balance.
This Post Will Cover:
- How to Check Maryland EBT Card Balance
- List of Stores That Take EBT Online for Delivery
- Maryland 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.
The Maryland Department of Human Resources (DHR) is responsible for administering Maryland Food Stamp benefits, also called the Food Supplement Program.
The Food Supplement Program helps households by providing them with healthy, nutritious food to put on the table.
Food stamps are available to low-income households that meet the federal income eligibility rules.
If you are approved for Maryland food assistance, your benefits will be deposited electronically on an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card.
The Maryland EBT Card, also known as the Maryland Independence Card is similar to a standard ATM or debit card.
Food stamp benefits are deposited on your EBT Card on the same day every month. Maryland EBT Card benefits can be accessed by 5 AM the morning after they are posted to your EBT Card account.
Benefits can be used to make approved food purchases at eligible retail locations. Most Maryland grocery stores accept the Maryland Independence Card as payment.
For instructions on how to check the balance on your Maryland EBT Card, keep reading below.
If your EBT benefits have been stolen due to fraud, you can get your money back. See the EBT reimbursement guide.
How to Check your Maryland EBT Card Balance
There are three options for checking your Maryland Independence Card balance. Here they are:
Option 1 – Locate Your Last Purchase Receipt
One of the easiest ways to check your Maryland 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 Maryland Independence Card receipts.
Option 2 – Check Your Independence Card Balance Via Phone
Another option is to check your card balance by calling the Maryland EBT Card Customer Service phone number at 1-800-997-2222.
Representatives are available to help you retrieve your Independence 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.
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Option 3 – Check Your Maryland EBT Card Balance Online
The last option to check your Maryland EBT Card balance is online. You can find out your EBT Card balance online by using the Maryland Connect EBT 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.
List of Stores That Take EBT Online for Delivery in Maryland
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 21 grocery stores that accept Maryland EBT Cards online for home delivery or store pick-up.
However, your Maryland SNAP benefits cannot be use to pay for delivery fees.
Maryland EBT cardholders can buy food online for delivery and/or pickup from the approved grocery stores listed below.
Currently, the following stores accept Maryland SNAP EBT online:
- ACME
- ALDI
- Amazon
- Balducci’s
- BJs Wholesale Club
- Food Lion
- Geresbeck’s Food Market
- Giant Eagle
- Giant of Maryland
- Martin’s
- Price Rite
- Safeway
- Sam’s Club Scan and Go
- Seven Mile Market
- ShopRite
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Target
- Walmart
- Wegmans
- Weis Markets
- Whole Foods
For more information about how you can use your EBT Card to shop online for delivery, click here.
Maryland EBT Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions about the Maryland 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 Maryland EBT Card?
You cannot use your Maryland 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 Maryland 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 Maryland EBT card in other counties and other states?
Your Maryland 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 Maryland EBT Card Customer Service phone number at 1-800-997-2222.
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 Maryland EBT Benefits Deposited?
The day your benefits are available on your Independence Card is based on the first three letters of your last name.
Please see the schedule below for the day your benefits will be on your card.
| If the First three letters of your last name are between | Benefits are deposited on the |
| AAA and BAO | 4th of the month |
| BAP and BQZ | 5th of the month |
| BRA and CAQ | 6th of the month |
| CAR and COQ | 7th of the month |
| COR and DIZ | 8th of the month |
| DJA and FIS | 9th of the month |
| FIT and GON | 10th of the month |
| GOO and HAX | 11th of the month |
| HAY and JAB | 12th of the month |
| JAC and KIM | 13th of the month |
| KIN and LOX | 14th of the month |
| LOY and MCO | 15th of the month |
| MCP and NEF | 16th of the month |
| NEG and PGZ | 17th of the month |
| PHA and RIC | 18th of the month |
| RID and SDZ | 19th of the month |
| SEA and STC | 20th of the month |
| STD and TRA | 21st of the month |
| TRB and WES | 22nd of the month |
| WET and ZZZ | 23rd of the month |
Are there any fees for using my Maryland 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 – FSP 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
Maryland EBT Card Discounts and Savings
Did you know that there are exclusive discounts and freebies available to Maryland EBT Cardholders? It’s true!
If you are currently receiving food stamps, find out how you can save with your Maryland 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 Maryland EBT card here.
Maryland EBT Card Account
We hope this article on how to check your Maryland 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 Maryland Independence 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.
In the meantime, be sure to check out our other articles about Maryland Food Stamps and EBT Card benefits, including:
- How to Apply for Maryland Food Stamps Online
- Maryland Food Stamps Income Limit
- Farmers Markets In Maryland that Double Your EBT Money
- My DHR Maryland Login Help
- Can you buy groceries online with a Maryland EBT Card?
- Grocery Stores that Accept EBT online
- How to Get 50% off Amazon Prime with EBT