Programs using EBT

Numerous government assistance programs in the United States use EBT to issue benefits to eligible individuals which in turn can be used to purchase essential items. The programs using EBT include:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)- This program offers assistance to low-income individuals and families so that they can purchase nutritious food for themselves.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)- The program provides nutritional assistance to pregnant women, new mothers, and their children to improve their overall health and development.

Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF)- The program offers financial assistance to low-income families with children. The assistance is in the form of living expenses, job training, and child care support.

Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)- The program offers food assistance to low-income Native American Families living on Indian reservations.

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)- The program offers assistance to low-income seniors so that they can purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from approved farmers’ markets.

Apart from these programs, other programs are depending on the state or local area. The other programs that use EBT include:

The Medicaid program offers health insurance to low-income individuals and families.

Child Nutrition programs- Child nutrition programs provide nutritious food to children in low-income households. The programs included further in Child nutrition programs include National School Lunch Program, the School breakfast program, and the summer food service program.

Energy Assistance Programs- Some states use EBT cards to distribute benefits for energy assistance programs which include weatherization assistance programs and Low-income home energy assistance programs (LIHEAP).

With EBT, the recipients don’t have to carry cash with them as they can purchase food and other items with an EBT card.