How does it work?
Eligible recipients receive a Pennsylvania Access Card and select a personal identification number (PIN) to access authorized benefits. When paying for groceries, you use your EBT Access Card and enter your PIN to access your SNAP account. Your pin and account balance is verified electronically, and the retailer receives an authorization or denial. Your account is then debited for the amount of the purchase, and the retailer's account is credited. No money or food coupons change hands. The transaction and settlement processes are the same for cash transactions. You can use your EBT Access Card to obtain cash benefits through ATMs located throughout the state. In addition, you can make cash purchases and receive cash back at participating retailers.
Are there ATMs that do not charge a fee for using my EBT ACCESS card?
This list provides locations of ATMs in Pennsylvania that do not charge recipients a fee to withdrawal cash assistance using an EBT Access card. Other ATMs will inform you that a surcharge will be charged prior to completing the transaction. If you do not want to pay it, cancel the transaction and try an ATM on this list of Surcharge-Free ATMs.
Where should questions/problems about EBT be directed?
The EBT Recipient Hotline may be contacted to:
- Find out where the EBT card can be used;
- Check SNAP and cash assistance account balances;
- Report that an EBT card has been lost or stolen;
- Report that the EBT card does not work; and
- Ask questions about using the EBT card.
The EBT Recipient Hotline is available at 1-888-EBT-PENN (1-888-328-7366). The Recipient Hotline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Questions about your EBT?
Call the EBT Recipient Hotline
1-888-EBT-PENN
(1-888-328-7366)
The EBT Recipient Hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Protect Your Benefits!
New EBT Card Lock Feature is Available Through ConnectEBT
Pennsylvania is proud to offer a new Card Lock safety feature now available on the ConnectEBT website and mobile app, through our Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) vendor, Conduent. This feature allows you to lock your EBT card when not in use to protect your SNAP and cash benefits from skimming and theft. Locking your EBT card blocks all purchases, balance inquiries, and transactions to keep your funds secure. You should always Lock your card when it’s not in use, then simply Unlock your card before making a purchase! You can also use the Auto Re-Lock feature to automatically Re-Lock your card in 30, 60, or 90 minutes after unlocking.
EBT Card Lock
Don’t forget: You can also download the official myCOMPASS PA mobile app for free, which allows users to view their EBT balance and transactions, update personal information, view eNotices, submit documents, and more!
Locking your EBT card is simple:
Download the free, secure ConnectEBT mobile app or navigate to www.connectebt.com and create a User Account to get started!
Select the Lock/Unlock Card Button on the ConnectEBT app or website home screen
- Select your lock preference:
- Lock My Card Everywhere will prevent all types of purchases, including online and at stores
- Lock My Card Outside of PA will prevent all purchases at stores outside of PA but will still allow all online purchases
- Click OK
Done Shopping?
Simply re-lock your card or use the Auto Re-Lock feature to make protecting your benefits on-the-go even easier.
Home Screen with Lock Selection
Lock/Unlock Options
Auto Re-Lock Options