There are simple steps. To check your Montana EBT card balance any time you want, however, before that, food stamp benefits for Montana Food Assistance must be accepted and then deposited electronically on the Montana EBT card. Learn the details below!
SNAP helps households By putting healthy and nutritious food on the table. Food stamps are available to low-income households that meet federal income rules.
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is responsible for administering Montana food stamp benefits. Also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), it is a food stamp program.
Montana’s Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card is similar to a standard ATM or debit card. Each month, food stamp benefits are deposited to your EBT card the same day.
You can access the benefits from your EBT Card account by 8:00 AM the morning after they are posted.
Benefits may be used to purchase approved foods at qualifying retailers. Most Montana grocery stores accept Montana food stamp vouchers. There’s even a farmer’s market.
Some farmers markets even let you double your EBT cash. Makes you receive more monthly benefits as well.
This post will cover:
- Montana Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- What is a Montana Access Card?
- Eligibility Criteria
- Montana EBT Payment Schedule
- Stores that accept EBT online for shipping
- Where can I use my Montana EBT card?
- Food and products not eligible for purchase with the Montana EBT Card
- How to check your Montana EBT card balance
- Montana EBT FAQs
Montana Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Congress passed the Food Stamp Act (now SNAP) of 1977 to provide eligible families with more nutritious food by supplementing their food budgets.
Income, income, and household size determine the amount of SNAP assistance a household will receive. The system is also funded by the U.S. Bureau of Agriculture and the State of Montana.
Montana residents eligible for general benefits include: People who live together and purchase and prepare food together are grouped into SNAP “households.”
“Husband and wife and children under 22 years of age will be treated as one family. together with adoptive parents or their stepparents
Household members wishing to be included must be U.S. citizens. or legal alien Household members wishing to incorporate must provide or register a Social Security number.
Must meet the income and resource guidelines outlined in this summary. All sound-minded members of the household between the ages of 16 and 59 must register for employment. and may be required to participate in food stamp employment and training programs. unless specifically exempted
There are additional qualification criteria. Therefore, you must work with your local county public assistance office to determine whether you are eligible for benefits.
Please note that you will need to be interviewed to confirm your eligibility in addition to completing an application to receive benefits.
What is a Montana Access Card?
- The Montana Access Card is Montana’s EBT card.
- EBT = Electronic Benefits Transfer
- EBT Card = A card that looks and functions like a debit or credit card. But it’s full of food stamps and/or cash benefits. You can use it at any store that accepts EBT.
- You will receive a Montana Access Card once you are approved for benefits.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for this incentive program You must be a Montana resident and fall into one of two groups:
(1) Those who have a current balance in the bank (savings and checking combined) less than $2,001, or
(2) Those who have a current balance in the bank (Savings and checking combined) less than $3,001 who share their household with a person or persons aged 60 years or older, or with a person with a disability
to have qualifications You must have an annual household income that is less than or equal to the sum of the following: (before tax):
Annual household income limit (before tax) | |
Household size* | Highest income level (per year) |
1 | $24,980 |
2 | $33,820 |
3 | $42,660 |
4 | $51,500 |
5 | $60,340 |
6 | $69,180 |
7 | $78,020 |
8 | $86,860 |
*For households with more than eight people, add $8,840 per additional person. Always check with the appropriate management agency to ensure the most accurate approach.
Montana EBT Payment Schedule
If your case number ends with | Benefits are deposited at |
0 or 1 | 2nd day of the month |
2 or 3 | 3rd day of the month |
4 or 5 | 4th day of the month |
6 or 7 | 5th day of the month |
8 or 9 | 6th day of the month |
Once your benefits have been deposited into your account You can start using those benefits with your Montana EBT card to purchase eligible food items.
Stores that accept EBT online for shipping
As you know The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has started a pilot program. (Online Purchasing Pilot) to allow some grocery stores to begin accepting EBT cards online for grocery purchases. Including delivery service to your doorstep.
The grocery stores listed below have been approved for a pilot project that will offer the ability for EBT cardholders to purchase food online for delivery.
Where can I use my Montana EBT card?
You cannot use the Montana EBT card at the following locations:
- Casino
- poker room
- card room
- Cigarette and marijuana shops
- adult entertainment business
- Nightclub/living room/tavern
- Tattoo and piercing shop
- Spa/massage shop
- Bingo Hall
- bail bond
- Race track
- Gun/ammo shop
- cruise ship
- psychic reader
Food and products not eligible for purchase with the Montana EBT Card
- Hot food from the deli/meals eaten inside the restaurant
- Vitamins or medicine
- pet food
- Paper or cleaning products
- Alcohol/Tobacco products
For a complete list of approved foods, see: A list of foods eligible for food stamps can be found here..
How to check your Montana EBT card balance
There are three options for checking your Montana EBT card balance. They are here:
Find your most recent purchase receipt.
One of the easiest ways to check your Montana EBT card balance is to look for a recent purchase or ATM receipt (for TANF recipients only).
You’ll see the current balance at the bottom of your account receipt. Be sure to save all of your most recent EBT card receipts to check your balance this way.
Check your card balance over the phone.
Another option is to test your card balance by calling. 1-866-850-1556 Go to Montana EBT Card Customer Service Call Number.
An automated voice system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to refund your card balance. Make sure your EBT card number, 4-digit PIN, and Social Security Number (SSN) are ready before you call.
Type your sixteen (16) digit EBT card number after you call. You will then hear your new food assistance or cash account balance. To receive information about your EBT card balance, you must provide this information.
Check your Montana EBT card balance online.
The final way to check your Montana EBT card balance is online. The Montana My Bnft website allows you to find your EBT card balance online.
Once you have entered the site Enter your username and password on the left-hand side of the page in the login section.
After that, to log into your Montana EBT account and check your EBT balance, you must enter your username and password.
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