If you have a New Jersey 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 New Jersey EBT Card Balance.
The New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Family Development is responsible for administering New Jersey Food Stamp benefits to approved, low-income households. These benefits allow households to buy the food they need for good health.
If you are approved for New Jersey food assistance, your benefits will be deposited electronically on an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card. The New Jersey EBT Card, also known as the New Jersey Families First Card is similar to a standard ATM or debit card.
Food stamp benefits are deposited on your New Jersey EBT Card on the same day every month. New Jersey EBT Card benefits can be accessed by 5AM the morning after they are posted to your Families First Card account.
Benefits can be used to make approved food purchases at eligible retail locations. Most New Jersey grocery stores accept the Families First Card as payment.
For instructions on how to check the balance on your New Jersey EBT Card, keep reading below.
This Post Will Cover:
- How to Check New Jersey EBT Card Balance
- List of Stores That Take EBT Online for Delivery
- New Jersey 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.
How to Check your New Jersey EBT Card Balance
There are three options for checking your New Jersey Families First Card balance. Here they are:
Option 1 – Locate Your Last Purchase Receipt
One of the easiest ways to check your New Jersey 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 New Jersey Families First Card receipts.
Option 2 – Check Your Families First Card Balance Via Phone
Another option is to check your card balance by calling the New Jersey EBT Card Customer Service phone number at 1-800-687-9512. Representatives are available to help you retrieve your Families First 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 Families First balance information.
Option 3 – Check Your Families First Card Balance Online
The last option to check your New Jersey Families First Card balance is online. You can find out your EBT Card balance online by using the New Jersey Connect EBT website. Once you are on the site, enter your User ID and Password on the left-side of the page. When complete, click the “Login” button to access your Families First Card information.
If you do not have a New Jersey Connect EBT login, click the “Create User Account” link if it is your first time accessing your EBT Card information online. You will see instructions on how to create an account for online access to your Families First Card.
List of Stores That Take EBT Online for Delivery in New Jersey
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 18 stores that accept New Jersey EBT Cards online as payment.
You can use your NJ EBT Card and food stamp benefits to purchase approved grocery items and have it delivered directly to your door.
However, your New Jersey SNAP benefits cannot be use to pay for delivery fees.
Currently, the following stores accept New Jersey food stamps and EBT Cards online:
- Acme
- ALDI
- Amazon
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Food Bazaar
- Food Circus Super Markets, Inc. DBA Super Foodtown
- Kings Super Markets
- Price Rite
- Sam’s Club Scan & Go
- ShopRite
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Stop & Shop
- Target
- TheFreshGrocer
- Walmart
- Wegmans
- Weis Markets
- Whole Foods
For more information about how you can use your EBT Card to shop online for delivery, click here.
New Jersey EBT Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions about the New Jersey EBT Card.
How much will I get on my EBT card each month?
The amount of benefits you receive on your Families First 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.
Can I have someone else help me shop using my EBT account?
Ask your local New Jersey 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 EBT card in other counties and other states?
Your 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 Families First Card account?
If your card is lost, stolen or damaged, please call the New Jersey EBT Card Customer Service phone number toll-free at 1-800-687-9512.
A replacement 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 should also contact your local DHS caseworker to alert them of this.
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 New Jersey 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 Families First Card?
Here’s how to use your Families First Card to purchase food items:
- Swipe your card at the store’s payment machine.
- Then select “EBT” from the card options.
- Next, enter your 4-digit PIN.
- Complete the transaction and take your receipt – it will show your current EBT Card balance at the bottom.
New Jersey EBT Card Account
We hope this article on how to check your New Jersey 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 Families First Card including the New Jersey SNAP eligibility and application process, please leave those in the comments below. We are always happy to help!
Check out the current EBT Discounts and Perks available exclusively to New Jersey EBT Cardholders! You can save on phone service, museum admission, and even on Amazon Prime! Check out how you can save with your New Jersey EBT card here.
Also, be sure to check out our other articles about New Jersey Food Stamps and EBT, including:
- Income Limit for New Jersey Food Stamps
- How to apply for New Jersey Food Stamps Online
- Can you Buy Groceries Online with New Jersey EBT Card?
- Grocery Stores that Accept EBT online
- How to Get 50% off Amazon Prime with EBT