If you have a Massachusetts Bay State Access 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 Massachusetts EBT Card Balance.
This Post Will Cover:
- How to Check Massachusetts EBT Card Balance
- List of Stores That Take EBT Online for Delivery
- Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is responsible for administering Food Stamp benefits to approved, low-income households who meet income and other requirements. These benefits allow households to buy the food they need for good health.
If you are approved for Massachusetts food assistance, your benefits will be deposited electronically on an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card.
The Massachusetts EBT Card, also known as the Bay State Access Card is similar to a standard ATM or debit card.
The state of Massachusetts deposits food stamp benefits on your EBT Card on the same day every month.
Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts grocery stores accept EBT Cards as payment. Also, some grocery stores accept EBT online for pickup and delivery.
Additionally, you can use your Massachusetts Bay State Access Card at most farmers’ markets, including at select locations where you can double your money when you buy produce.
Also, eligible Massachusetts EBT cardholders can use their SNAP benefits to buy hot food at approved restaurants in Massachusetts.
Lastly, you can get discounts and perks with your Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts EBT Card, keep reading below.
How to Check your Massachusetts EBT Card Balance
There are three options for checking your Bay State Access Card balance. Here they are:
Option 1 – Locate Your Last Purchase Receipt
One of the easiest ways to check your Massachusetts 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 Bay State Access Card receipts.
Option 2 – Check Your Bay State Access Card Balance Via Phone
Another option is to check your card balance by calling the Massachusetts EBT Bay State Access Card Customer Service phone number at 1-800-997-2555.
Representatives are available to help you retrieve your Bay State Access 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 Bay State Access Card balance information.
Option 3 – Check Your Bay State Access Card Balance Online
The last option to check your Massachusetts Bay State Access Card balance is online.
You can find out your EBT Card balance online by using the Massachusetts DTA Connect Website.
Once you are on the site, click “Log in” button on the page and 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.
If this is your first time logging in, you must first create an account.
Click on the “Create Your Online Account” link as shown by the arrow above to create your online Account. Be sure to fill out all the requested information.
List of Stores That Take EBT Online for Delivery
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 19 grocery stores that accept Massachusetts EBT Cards online for home delivery or store pick-up.
Massachusetts EBT Cardholders can buy food online for delivery and/or pickup from the approved grocery stores listed below.
- ALDI
- Amazon
- BJs Wholesale Club
- Brothers Marketplace
- Daily Table
- Geissler’s Supermarket
- Hannaford
- McKinnon’s Supermarkets
- Price Chopper Supermarkets
- Price Rite
- Ring Bros. Marketplace
- Roche Bros
- Shaw’s
- Star Market
- Stop & Shop
- Target
- Walmart
- Wegmans
- Whole Foods
For more information about how you can use your EBT Card to shop online for delivery, click here.
Massachusetts EBT Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions about the Massachusetts 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 food stamps eligibility 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 Massachusetts EBT Card?
Here’s what you can and cannot buy with your Massachusets EBT Card:
With SNAP benefits:
You can buy any food item except alcohol or prepared meals sold hot and ready to eat.
You can even buy seeds or plants for growing food.
For a complete list of what you can buy with your Bay State Access EBT Card, click here.
With cash benefits:
Anything you need, except:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Court-ordered fees, fines, bail or bail bonds
- Firearms and ammunition
- Gambling
- Lottery tickets
- Jewelry
- Adult-oriented entertainment material
- Recreational marijuana
You can even pay your rent or utility bills, purchase money orders, and buy food.
Can I have someone else help me shop using my EBT account?
Ask your local DTA 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 Massachusetts EBT card in other counties and other states?
Your Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts EBT Card Customer Service phone number at 1-800-997-2555.
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 DTA caseworker.
Does my Bay State Access Card Need a Photo?
Massachusetts law requires the use of photo identification on the front of each EBT card.
The state will use the photo from your driver’s license or other state-issued ID.
If you don’t have a driver’s license or other state-issued ID, you should schedule an appointment with the DTA office to take a photo.
You can still get a card and benefits while waiting to take your picture.
You are not subject to the photo EBT requirements if you are:
- 18 or under
- 60 or over
- Blind
- Disabled
- Homeless
- A victim of domestic violence
- Prevented by your religious beliefs
- Getting benefits for someone else, but not yourself
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).
What’s the Bay State Access Card Schedule?
Benefits will load onto your EBT card on the same day(s) every month when your case is active based on the last number of your Social Security number (SSN):
| SSN ending in: | Cash/SNAP benefits: | Cash benefits: |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1st | 16th |
| 1 | 2nd | 17th |
| 2 | 4th | 19th |
| 3 | 5th | 20th |
| 4 | 7th | 22nd |
| 5 | 8th | 23rd |
| 6 | 10th | 25th |
| 7 | 11th | 26th |
| 8 | 13th | 28th |
| 9 | 14th | 29th |
If you are also getting cash benefits and have a bank account, you may get your cash benefits by Direct Deposit on these dates and use your EBT card to get your SNAP benefits only.
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 Massachusetts 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:
- Look for the Quest® mark on the door or the window of the store.
- At check-out, swipe your EBT card.
- Enter your secret PIN on the number pad, then press Enter.
- Tell the cashier how much money to enter or enter the purchase amount yourself.
- Remember, you can only buy eligible food items with your SNAP benefits.
- Check your receipt to make sure that the amount on the EBT receipt is the same as your grocery receipt.
Massachusetts EBT Card Discounts and Savings
Did you know that there are exclusive discounts and freebies available to Massachusetts EBT Cardholders?
It’s true! If you are currently receiving food stamp, find out how you can save with your Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts EBT card here.
Massachusetts EBT Card Account
We hope this article on how to check your Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Bay State Access 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.
Also, check out our other articles about Massachusetts Food Stamps and EBT, including:
- How to Check Massachusetts EBT Card Balance
- Income Limit for Massachusetts Food Stamps
- Massachusetts EBT Card Discounts & Free Admissions
- Restaurants that Accept SNAP EBT in Massachusetts
- How to apply for Massachusetts Food Stamps Online
- Grocery Stores that Accept EBT online
- How to Get 50% off Amazon Prime with EBT
- Eligible Food Stamps Items