How do I check my EBT balance without the card?

Use your state's EBT app or website. You log in with your account, not the card number, so it works even if the card is lost. It shows the same balance the register sees.

Do EBT benefits expire at the end of the month?

No. Whatever you don't spend rolls over to the next month. The only catch: if you don't use the card at all for 9 months, the state can take back what's left.

What time do benefits hit my card?

Each state loads benefits on a monthly schedule, usually spread across several days based on your case number or last name. Your state's EBT site lists the schedule.

Is there a fee to check my balance?

No. The phone line, the apps, and the websites are all free. Some out-of-network ATMs charge to show a cash balance on screen, so use the free ways instead.

Why is my balance lower than I expected?

Pull up the transaction history in the app or on the phone line. It lists every charge. If you see a charge you didn't make, call the number on the back of the card right away and ask to dispute it.

Guides

How to check your EBT balance

Checked August 2026 against state EBT portals and USDA's state directory

3 free ways, under a minute

Your last EBT receipt, the phone number on the back of your card, or your state's EBT app. All three are free and work in every state.

1. Look at your last receipt

Every EBT purchase prints your remaining balance at the bottom of the receipt. If you shopped recently, the answer is already in your pocket.

2. Call the number on the back of your card

Every EBT card has a toll-free customer service number printed on the back. It answers 24 hours a day. Punch in your card number and it reads your balance first thing, no waiting for a person.

Card lost? Find your state's number through USDA's state directory. The same line handles replacement cards.

3. Use your state's app or website

Every state runs an EBT portal, and most work with one of these apps. Set one up once and the balance is two taps away.

ConnectEBT, the official app in many states
ebtEDGE, the official app in most of the rest
Providers, a free app that shows balances for nearly every state

Your EBT card mailer says which portal your state uses. The apps also show your transaction history, which is the fastest way to spot a charge you didn't make.

No home internet for the apps? EBT households qualify for discounted internet at around $10 a month.

Worth knowing

Unspent benefits roll over month to month. They don't reset.
A card unused for 9 months can have its balance taken back. One purchase resets the clock.
Check the balance before big trips. A declined cart is a bad way to find out.
If your card has food and cash balances, the receipt and app show both. Registers charge them separately.
Not sure the balance covers an item? Formula is always food, and protein powder depends on its label.

Common questions

How do I check my EBT balance without the card?: Use your state's EBT app or website. You log in with your account, not the card number, so it works even if the card is lost. It shows the same balance the register sees.
Do EBT benefits expire at the end of the month?: No. Whatever you don't spend rolls over to the next month. The only catch: if you don't use the card at all for 9 months, the state can take back what's left.
What time do benefits hit my card?: Each state loads benefits on a monthly schedule, usually spread across several days based on your case number or last name. Your state's EBT site lists the schedule.
Is there a fee to check my balance?: No. The phone line, the apps, and the websites are all free. Some out-of-network ATMs charge to show a cash balance on screen, so use the free ways instead.
Why is my balance lower than I expected?: Pull up the transaction history in the app or on the phone line. It lists every charge. If you see a charge you didn't make, call the number on the back of the card right away and ask to dispute it.