Louisiana Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Welcome to the Louisiana EBT card website! EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. The Louisiana EBT Card is called the Louisiana Purchase Card. It is like a bank debit card that holds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and/or Cash benefits that are deposited into your EBT account each month. Once your benefits are deposited into your account, you can begin using them with your Louisiana Purchase Card. You can use your Louisiana Purchase Card at any ATM or store that accepts SNAP benefits in the United States, Guam and the Virgin Islands. The Louisiana Purchase card is a safe and easy way to get and use your benefits. It’s safe - you can’t use your card without a PIN. And it’s easy - you can use it anywhere you see the Louisiana Purchase logo, and every time you use your card, you get a receipt showing the amount of benefits left in your account. You can use your card at the grocery store to spend your benefits. If you receive cash benefts on your card, some grocery stores will give you cash back with your purchase. Before you begin your shopping, make sure that the store accepts the EBT Card and you know your 4 digit PIN. You should know your balance before shopping. There are three ways to check your balance… Check your last grocery store receipt. Use this Website - you can set-up a User ID and Password to check your account balance and also view transaction history. You can call the Customer Service Call Center. Your balance is provided as soon as you enter your card number. If your card is lost or stolen, call the Customer Service Call Center immediately to prevent anyone from using your benefits. What should I know about my SNAP account? It does not cost you anything to use the Louisiana Purchase Card for SNAP. You do not ever get cash back when you use your SNAP benefits. You can buy the following items with your Louisiana Purchase card: Any food to be eaten at home by people, including baby food, non-alcoholic beverages, and seasonings. Seeds and plants to grow food for your own family’s consumption. You cannot buy non-grocery items with the SNAP benefits, such as cleaning products, pet food, paper products, alcohol, or tobacco. Ongoing monthly benefits will be available from the 6th through the 15th day of each month depending on the first letter of your last name. See the link to Issuance Schedules. You can use your Louisiana Purchase Card even if your SNAP case is closed as long as you have benefits left in your account. Your benefits will be removed from your account if there has not been any financial activity (such as a SNAP purchase) on your account in the past 180 days. You will need to contact your local Louisiana Department of Social Services office to have your benefits re-issued. What should I know about my Cash account? You can buy non-grocery items with your Cash benefits, such as cleaning products, pet food, and paper products. Some grocery stores will let you get cash from your cash account. You can get your Cash benefits from any ATM displaying the Quest logo. You may have to pay a surcharge at the ATM. Cash withdrawals will cost you $1.00 each. You can use your Louisiana Purchase Card even if your Cash case is closed as long as you have benefits left in your account. Your benefits will be removed from your account if there has not been any financial activity (such as a cash purchase) on your account in the past 180 days. You will need to contact your local Louisiana Department of Social Services office to have your benefits re-issued. What is a PIN? PIN stands for Personal Identification Number. You must have a 4-digit PIN to use your Louisiana Purchase Card. Call the Customer Service Call Center to select a PIN to begin using your Louisiana Purchase Card. You will need your: - 16 digit card number from the front of your Louisiana Purchase Card - Social Security Number (last 4 digits only). - Birth Date Choose a PIN that is easy for you to remember, but hard for someone else to guess or figure out if you lose your card. Never tell anyone else, including a grocery store cashier, your secret PIN. Never write your PIN on your card. Do not write your PIN on anything you carry with you like your wallet or purse in case it is lost or stolen. If you forget or want to change your PIN, you must call the Customer Service Call center and follow the automated PIN selection/change instructions. When entering your PIN to make a purchase or withdraw money from an ATM, be sure no one else can see what number you are entering. If someone else learns your PIN and uses your card, your benefits will not be replaced. If you think someone else has learned your PIN, call the Customer Service Call Center immediately to choose a new PIN. How do I select my PIN? You must always call the Customer Service Call Center at 1-888-997-1117 and follow the prompts to select or change your PIN. You will need the following information to select your Personal Identification Number (PIN): To select your new PIN, you will need your: Card number (16 digits on the front of your card). Last four digits of the Social Security number for the person whose name is on the case. Date of birth for the person whose name is on the case. How do I use my Louisiana Purchase Card at the store? Make sure you have selected your PIN and remember it before going shopping. Your Louisiana Purchase card can be used at stores that display the Louisiana Purchase logo. If you do not see the Louisiana Purchase logo, ask at the customer service desk if the store accepts the EBT card. Go shopping as normal. At the checkout lane, slide your own card or give your card to the clerk depending on the store. The clerk enters your transaction amount. The clerk should not leave the area with your card. You will need to enter your 4 digit PIN. Check the amount that shows in the machine window to make sure it is correct. Make sure the amount on the receipt is the same as the amount you spent. If the receipt is wrong, tell the clerk right away. Keep the receipt as a record of your current balance. How do I use my card at the ATM? Insert your card into the ATM. Enter your PIN. Press the button for WITHDRAWAL. Press the button for CHECKING. Enter the dollar amount. If the ATM screen tells you that a surcharge will be charged and you do not want to pay it, cancel the transaction by pressing the CANCEL button and try another ATM. Press the button for CORRECT to go on if the amount is right, or CANCEL to stop if the amount is wrong. How do I protect my Louisiana Purchase Card? If your Louisiana Purchase Card is lost or stolen call the Customer Service Call center immediately. Your benefits will be protected as soon as you report it lost or stolen and a new card with your remaining benefits will be issued to you. When entering your PIN to make a purchase, be sure no one else can see what number you are entering. If someone else learns your PIN and uses your card and PIN to use your benefits, your benefits will not be replaced. If you think someone else has learned your PIN, call the Customer Service Call Center immediately to select a new PIN. Keep your card away from electronic equipment (like TVs and microwaves) and magnets and out of the sun. Misuse of your SNAP benefits is a violation of State and Federal laws. DO NOT: Sell, trade or give away your SNAP benefits, PIN or Louisiana EBT Card. Allow a retailer to buy your food benefits in exchange for cash. Use someone else’s SNAP benefits or Louisiana EBT card for your household.