Electronic Benefits Transfer ("EBT")

Expand your customer base with a new payment option
Now, in addition to cash, credit, debit, and check, you can offer your customers one more payment solution. Introducing the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, a payment option that brings the former paper environment of government Food Stamps or Cash Benefits programs into the electronic age.

What is EBT?
EBT is a Government sponsored program providing a replacement for Food Stamps and various cash benefits. EBT Programs began issuing benefit recipients plastic "debit" cards and personal identification numbers (PINs) to be used at retail locations such as supermarkets participating in an EBT Program.
The EBT System handles transactions for the United States Department of Agriculture, Food Stamp program, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program, and other Government cash assistance programs, by tracking allocations electronically. Retailers wanting to participate in these benefit programs must be equipped with a terminal, printer and PIN pad.

In the future, additional types of government benefits will be delivered electronically. Some of the additional programs to be added to EBT

Energy assistance

Housing & child care assistance

Unemployment

What are the benefits to a Merchant that accepts EBT cards?

Customers who may have shopped elsewhere can easily make purchases of food and non-food items in your store.

Food can be purchased with an exact debit from the recipient's food stamp account, instead of the recipient receiving cash change.

EBT increases the efficiency of depositing Food Stamp payments directly to merchant business accounts.

EBT increases the speed and efficiency of transactions at the checkout lanes.

Retailers no longer have to process food coupons or checks.

EBT cards go beyond the grocery store
The EBT card may be used to access funds in two types of benefit programs (depending on the issuing state), the cash benefits or food stamp program. One or both programs may be right for your retail establishment.

It's easy to get started
IF you have been approved to process credit cards with us, you can participate as an EBT Cash Benefits merchant automatically and accept on-line debit cards as well. (Specific hardware required)


For more information about how Acies can enhance the performance of your business at the point-of-sale and beyond, with 24-hour toll free support, call us at: 1-800-361-5540.