EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. It is a way of delivering Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits without paper coupons. Using a plastic card that works like a debit card, recipients may access their benefits at retail Point-of-Sale (POS) devices. Each Mississippi SNAP Benefit household will be issued an EBT card. The Mississippi EBT card can be used at any participating store displaying the Quest® logo. The recipient’s Mississippi EBT card is scanned at a Point-of-Sale (POS) device. The recipient than enters their secret four-digit PIN to approve the SNAP purchase. SNAP recipients may also purchase food products at non-traditional stores such as farmers markets, truck vendors, and community support agencies, if they have been approved by Food and Service (Food and Nutrition Service). A Customer can find out their balance at any time using any of the following options: Calling the Cardholder Services Center number printed on the back of their EBT card Performing a “balance-inquiry-only” transaction on the POS terminal installed at the food store Reviewing the last EBT transaction receipt. The customer’s current account balance will be printed on the bottom of each EBT receipt If the customer does not have enough benefits remaining in his/her account to cover the purchase, the transaction will be denied, and the receipt will display “Denied-Insufficient Balance.” They may pay the difference between the purchase amount and the available balance in cash, the original purchase may be reduced to an amount less than or equal to the remaining balance in the SNAP account or the balance may be paid by conducting a TANF transaction with the Mississippi Debit MasterCard, if the client is eligible for TANF. Please note that in either case the transaction must be re-entered. Do Not Keep Your Card and PIN Together Do Not Damage or Bend Your Card Do Not Write on or Scratch the Black Stripe on the Back of your Card Do Not Get Your Card Wet Do Not Put Your Card Near Magnets, TVs, DVD Players, CD Players, Stereos, VCRs or Telephones Do Not Leave Your Card Out in the Open—Always Put Your Card in a Safe Place Do Not Throw Your Card Away—You Will Use the Same Card Every Month as Long as You Have Benefits or if You Reapply for Benefits After Your Case Closes Do Not Sell or Give Your Card and PIN to Anyone Do Not Accept Cash Back from your EBT Card Clients who have been issued a card should retain their card for the future use. A new card will be issued if the client calls the Cardholder Service Help Desk to report the card is lost, stolen or destroyed. If you have additional questions, please refer to the following Fact Sheet: Mississippi SNAP Facts for Clients Please call Cardholder Assistance at 866-512-5087 if you need additional assistance.

Applications for SNAP benefits are available online (English), (En Español - Spanish) , or (Tiếng Việt - Vietnamese) or you may request an application by phone, in person, by fax, or by mail from your county office. Complete as much of your application as you can. Your name, address, and signature are necessary on the application for it to be accepted on the same day it is turned in, even if there is no interview on that day. Only one adult household member or authorized representative may sign the application for SNAP benefits under penalty of perjury. When your application has been turned in, the local county office will set up an interview to review your application. At the time of your interview, bring verification of your income and expenses. If you cannot get all the information together by your interview date, come for the interview because you will have additional time to provide this information. If you need assistance in obtaining this information, please discuss this with your caseworker at the time of the interview. The following are examples of what to bring: Proof of identity (driver’s license, etc.) Social Security Numbers for all household members. If employed, proof of income (wage stubs, earning statements, etc.) for the four weeks prior to your interview or last filed tax return if self-employed. Proof of residency (utility bills, rent/mortgage payments, lot rent, taxes) SNAP Applications (English), (En Español - Spanish) , or (Tiếng Việt - Vietnamese) SNAP Brochure SNAP Rights & Responsibilities (English), (En Español - Spanish), (Tiếng Việt - Vietnamese) You may be asked to provide additional information based on your circumstances. After the interview and collection of needed information for eligibility determination, the worker will send your household a notice. If your household does not qualify for SNAP, a notice will be provided giving the reasons for ineligibility. If your household is determined to be eligible, the notice will provide the monthly benefit amount and length of the certification period. As soon as all necessary information is provided and verified for eligibility, you will be able to receive your SNAP benefits within 30 days of your dated application.

FAQs Archive - Mississippi Department of Human Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Vanessa Lowe2018-01-08T20:26:59+00:00

Adult Protective Services, under the Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Aging & Adult Services, investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable persons residing in private home settings, as well as any follow-up services provided by Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) to those vulnerable persons as a result of the investigations. [...]

Frequently Asked QuestionsVanessa Lowe2018-01-08T20:26:59+00:00

My MDHS online account

Morgan Stewart2017-12-11T15:15:49+00:00

The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), Division of Field Operations (DFO), now has the capability to offer limited internet services through a secure online account known as “My MDHS Account.” The service will allow you to receive, view, and print the following information about your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Disaster SNAP (DSNAP), Temporary [...]

My MDHS online accountMorgan Stewart2017-12-11T15:15:49+00:00

EBT Information

Morgan Stewart2017-12-11T15:14:38+00:00

EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. It is a way of delivering Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits without paper coupons. Using a plastic card that works like a debit card, recipients may access their benefits at retail Point-of-Sale (POS) devices. Each Mississippi SNAP Benefit household will be issued an EBT card. The Mississippi EBT card [...]

EBT InformationMorgan Stewart2017-12-11T15:14:38+00:00

Reporting changes in household circumstances

Morgan Stewart2017-12-11T15:13:23+00:00

Most households found eligible for SNAP benefits must only report when the household income meets or exceeds the current income level for the household size. The change must be reported by the tenth (10th) of the month following the month in which the change occurred. The current income level may be found on the back [...]

Reporting changes in household circumstancesMorgan Stewart2017-12-11T15:13:23+00:00

Document verification of eligibility checklist

Morgan Stewart2017-12-11T15:12:50+00:00

This checklist gives examples of the information that may have to be verified to determine your eligibility for SNAP and/or TANF. Use this checklist to help you gather the items needed for your interview. Identity of person making application and authorized representative, if applicable Divorce decree marriage license, death certificate for spouse Proof of relationship [...]

Document verification of eligibility checklistMorgan Stewart2017-12-11T15:12:50+00:00

How do I apply?

Morgan Stewart2017-12-11T15:11:24+00:00

Applications for SNAP benefits are available online (English), (En Español - Spanish), or (Tiếng Việt - Vietnamese) or you may request an application by phone, in person, by fax, or by mail from your county office. Complete as much of your application as you can. Your name, address, and signature are necessary on the application for it to be accepted on [...]

How do I apply?Morgan Stewart2017-12-11T15:11:24+00:00

How can I determine if I am eligible?

Morgan Stewart2017-12-11T15:07:08+00:00

Use of a SNAP pre-screening tool, available through the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), does not determine a household’s eligibility for SNAP, but can be used to give you an idea of how eligibility is determined. Access the SNAP pre-screening tool.

How can I determine if I am eligible?Morgan Stewart2017-12-11T15:07:08+00:00

Do I qualify?

Morgan Stewart2017-12-11T15:06:35+00:00

Those who qualify for SNAP include, persons who: work for low wages. are unemployed or work part-time. receive TANF, SSI or other assistance payments. are elderly or disabled and live on a small income. Click here to see if you may be eligible for SNAP benefits.

Do I qualify?Morgan Stewart2017-12-11T15:06:35+00:00