Why is my EBT card not working today?
From national outages to a damaged card, there are a couple of reasons why your EBT card might not be working today. Learn why, and what you can do about it if you rely on your EBT card for buying groceries with SNAP.
Propel is the #1-rated EBT balance checking app
There’s an EBT system outage#theres-an-ebt-system-outage
The system behind your EBT card may periodically experience temporary region-specific or national outages or technical difficulties.
While these outages are brief, it often means your EBT card won’t work at approved stores.
Similarly, issues with a store’s point-of-sale system or checkout system due to a wider outage could mean your EBT card won’t work at that specific store.
What to do#what-to-do
- Sites like Detectordown catalogue user-submitted EBT outages and show a real-time map of other EBT users experiencing issues. This could help confirm if there is an outage in your area.
- Call the EBT customer service number on the back of your card to report the issue. They may be able to confirm if there’s an outage in your area. You can also call your local SNAP office to report an issue.
- Try making another EBT-eligible purchase at a nearby store if you suspect the problem is with the store’s system.
Your SNAP deposit hasn’t arrived yet#your-snap-deposit-hasnt-arrived-yet
An EBT transaction will only go through if you have enough money in your account to pay for it.
Your EBT card might not be working because it has an empty or low balance and can’t cover the cost of your purchase.
If your EBT card isn’t working, it could be because your latest SNAP deposit hasn’t arrived yet, so there’s not enough money in the account to complete the purchase.
What to do#what-to-do
- Regularly check your EBT balance using a trusted source like the Propel app.
- Contact your local SNAP agency or caseworker to notify them of the delay. It could be due to an issue on their end or a change in your status.
Your new EBT card has been issued#your-new-ebt-card-has-been-issued
If you requested a new EBT card in the mail due to fraud, damage, or expiration, your current EBT card will be cancelled and the funds will be switched over to your new card.
When you try to make a purchase with a cancelled or expired EBT card, it won’t work.
What to do#what-to-do
- Reach out to your local SNAP agency to confirm a new EBT card has been ordered. They may also be able to provide updates on its arrival.
Your EBT card is broken#your-ebt-card-is-broken
Your EBT card might not work if it’s:
- Bent
- Bracked
- The magnetic strip is damaged
- The chip is scratched or broken (if you have a chip-enabled card)
Even if it isn’t expired, a broken card will not work at checkout.
What to do#what-to-do
- Request a replacement EBT card online or through your local SNAP office. They should be able to mail you a replacement within 7-10 days. Some SNAP offices can even replace cards in person on the same day.
