How to Apply for EBT Cash Cards for a Business
Anyone receiving money from the government for food through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is given an electronic benefits transfer card, or EBT. EBT cards look like a credit or debit card and work in a similar manner. Each month a designated amount of money is placed into the account and the recipient uses the card to make purchases against the cash in the account. Businesses that want to offer the EBT payment option need to register with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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Instructions
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Call the Food and Nutrition Service of the USDA and ask for an EBT vendor package. The FNS handles the registration, licensing and monitoring of businesses participating in the EBT card program. Local FNS office locations and phone numbers can be found at the FNS website. Vendors can also apply at the FNS website by creating a free USDA account and then completing an online application.
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Review the application in the package and all supporting instructions to determine whether your business is eligible to participate. Any business applying for the EBT program must sell staple foods that SNAP participants can use to prepare meals at home such as fruits, meats, vegetables, cereal, dairy or bread products. Eligibility requirements can also be found at the FNS website.
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Fill out the application. The application requires the business to provide personal information about the business owner such as her name, Social Security number and home address. Detailed information about store sales and inventory are also requested. Accuracy and completeness are important when filling out the application and supplying additional documents. The FNS conducts a background check on the owner, including prior SNAP activity, and evaluates the store.
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Submit the application and supporting documents to the FNS office. Applicants submitting an application online will be directed to mail or deliver supporting documents to a FNS office. Applicants applying through an FNS office need to return the application and documents to the local FNS office.
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The FNS to mails an approval letter to eligible businesses. An FNS employee may visit the business location during the application review process. Application status is viewable through a free USDA user account. The FNS website indicates that the application review process can take 45 days to complete.
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Receive the FNS approval package. The FNS mails an approval notice, an instructional video and a training guide to each business accepted into the EBT program. All questions regarding acceptance and the use of EBT cards should be directed to the local FNS office.
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Tips & Warnings
Training employees on the proper use of the EBT is important. Businesses accepted into the EBT program are responsible for their employees' actions regarding the use of EBT cards and interaction with a SNAP user.
