If you have a Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania EBT Card Balance.
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is responsible for administering and managing the Pennsylvania Food Stamps program to approved households. This includes reviewing and approving new applications, renewals and preventing abuse of the assistance program.
If you are approved for Pennsylvania food assistance, your benefits will be deposited electronically on an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card. The Pennsylvania EBT Card, also known as the Pennsylvania ACCESS Card is similar to a commercial debit or ATM card.
You can make approved purchases at approved retail locations with your EBT Card. Most Pennsylvania grocery stores accept the Pennsylvania ACCESS Card.
To check the balance on your Pennsylvania EBT Card, keep reading below.
This Post Will Cover:
- How to Check Pennsylvania EBT Card Balance
- List of Stores That Take EBT Online for Delivery
- Pennsylvania EBT Frequently Asked Questions
How to Check your Pennsylvania EBT Card Balance
There are three options for checking your ACCESS Card balance. Here they are:
Option 1 – Locate Your Last Purchase Receipt
One of the easiest ways to check your Pennsylvania EBT Card balance is to find the most recent purchase receipt or ATM receipt (for TANF recipients).
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 Pennsylvania ACCESS Card receipts.
Option 2 – Check Your Balance Via Phone
Another option is to check your card balance by calling the Pennsylvania ACCESS Card Customer hotline at 1-888-EBT-PENN (1-888-328-7366). Be sure to have your ACCESS EBT Card number and PIN ready. You must provide this information to receive your ACCESS Card balance.
Option 3 – Check Your Balance Online
The last option to check your Pennsylvania EBT Card balance is online. You can check your ACCESS Card balance online by using your Pennsylvania Connect EBT account. Once you are on the site, enter your User ID and Password to retrieve your balance as shown in the image below.
If you do not have an account, click on the “Create User Account” link. Once you click the Create Account link, you will see instructions on how to create an account for online access to your Pennsylvania EBT ACCESS Card.
List of Stores That Take EBT Online for Delivery
As you may be aware, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has started a pilot program (Online Purchasing Pilot) to allow select grocery stores to start accepting EBT cards online for grocery shopping, including delivery to your doorstep.
The grocery stores listed below have been approved for the pilot that will offer the ability for EBT cardholders to buy food online for delivery.
- ACME
- ALDI
- Amazon
- BJs Wholesale Club
- Burkholder’s Market
- Cottman Food Market
- Dave’s Super Duper
- East End Food Coop
- Giant Company, LLC
- Giant Eagle
- Lake Region IGA
- Martin’s
- Mignosi’s Super Foodtown
- Price Chopper Supermarkets
- Price Rite
- Sam’s Club Scan and Go
- ShopRite
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Stauffers of Kissel Hill
- Target
- TheFreshGrocer
- Tops Market
- Walmart
- Wegmans
- Weis Markets
- Whole Foods
For more information about how you can use your EBT Card to shop online for delivery, click here.
Pennsylvania EBT Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions about the Pennsylvania ACCESS Card.
Can I purchase non-food items with SNAP benefits?
No. 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?
Yes, but to do so you must ask your county food stamps caseworker to set up an Authorized Representative (AR). The AR will have a separate card with his/her own account number and PIN. 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 or 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.
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, and you may use these benefits in the following months.
What do I do if I suspect someone has stolen benefits from my EBT account?
If your card is stolen or you think someone knows your PIN, you should immediately call the customer service number at the back of your EBT card to have your EBT card canceled or to change your PIN.
If you believe your benefits have been stolen, contact your caseworker or county office for assistance. You should also file a police report.
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).
How do I buy food and items with my ACCESS Card?
Here’s how to use your Pennsylvania EBT ACCESS Card to purchase food items:
- Swipe your card in the store’s payment machine.
- Then select “EBT”.
- Next, enter your PIN.
- Remember to keep the receipt – it shows the updated amount left on your card.
How do I renew my Pennsylvania EBT benefits?
You can renew your assistance benefits online by logging into your Pennsylvania COMPASS Account. If you do not have a COMPASS account, you can create one by following the instructions here.
Pennsylvania EBT ACCESS Card Account
We hope this article on how to check your Pennsylvania EBT Card Balance was helpful. If so, please share it using the “Share this” button below.
If you have additional questions about the Pennsylvania EBT ACCESS Card, please leave those in the comments below. We are happy to help!
Check out the current EBT Discounts and Perks available exclusively to Pennsylvania EBT ACCESS Cardholders! You can save on phone service, museum admission, and even on Amazon Prime! Check out how you can save with your Pennsylvania EBT card here.
Be sure to check out our other articles about Pennsylvania Food Stamps and EBT, including:
- Pennsylvania Food Stamps Office
- Income Limit for Pennsylvania Food Stamps
- How to apply for Pennsylvania Food Stamps
- Renew your PA Compass Food Stamps
- How to Create Compass.state.pa.us Account
- MyCompass.state.pa.us Login Help
- Grocery Stores that Accept EBT online
- How to Get 50% off Amazon Prime with EBT