We know readers have various questions regarding the Alabama EBT Card and the SNAP Benefits program in general. As a result, we have set up this Alabama EBT Card FAQs page to address the most common questions we get.
More questions will be added as and when we receive reader feedback.
See the most frequently asked questions about Alabama Food Stamps and Alabama EBT below.
What is the Alabama EBT Card?
An EBT (electronic benefits transfer) card is a plastic card that acts like a debit card that is used to distribute public assistance benefits.
The Alabama EBT card is used for the delivery of benefits such as Alabama Food Assistance (SNAP benefits) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
Once you are approved for food stamps or cash assistance, you will receive your benefits each month on an Alabama EBT Card.
How much you receive in EBT benefits largely on your income and the number of people in your household.
Your EBT card can be used to purchase food at grocery stores, convenience stores, and some farmers’ markets, and co-op food programs.
Furthermore, you can use your EBT card to buy groceries online at select retailers for delivery, including Amazon and Walmart.
How do I apply for Alabama EBT?
There are three ways you can apply for food stamps EBT benefits in Alabama:
Option 1 – Apply online
You can apply online through the Alabama MyDHR account.
If you have an account, you can log in or create your MyDHR Account. Click here to be taken to the website.
Option 2 – Apply at DHR Office Near You
You can apply in person at the Alabama Department of Human Resources office near you. Click here to locate a DHR office.
Option 3 – Download Alabama Food Stamps Application
You can download an application, complete it, and mail it to your county DHR office or submit it in person.
Call your county DHR office if none of these methods will work for you. Click here to locate a DHR office.
What Can I buy with an Alabama SNAP EBT Card?
The USDA, which runs the food stamps program has a strict guide on what you can and cannot buy with SNAP benefits.
Here is the list of food items you are allowed to purchase with your SNAP Benefits card:
- fruits
- vegetables
- meats, fish, poultry
- deli meats and steak
- dairy products
- breads
- cereals
- seeds and plants that produce food for the household
- soft drinks
- candy
- cookies
- snack crackers
- ice cream
- energy drinks (must have a nutrition label)
- live seafood, such as lobster, fish, and shellfish
- pumpkins (as long as they are edible)
- birthday cakes (the non-edible piece of the cake cannot exceed 50 percent)
- bakery items
Here’s what you CANNOT buy with your SNAP benefits:
- Alcoholic beverages
- tobacco products
- hot food (prepared for immediate consumption)
- Nonfood items
- pet foods
- soaps
- paper products
- medicines and vitamins
- household supplies
- grooming items
- cosmetics
How do I Check Alabama EBT Card Balance?
Here are the options available to you to check the balance on your Alabama EBT Card:
Check Your Balance Online
Logging on to the EBT Card website, as shown above, to check the balance on your card.
Check your Balance by Phone
Also, you can call the Alabama EBT Customer Service Helpline Number (1-800-997-8888) on the back of your card.
After you enter your sixteen (16) digit EBT card number, you will hear your current food assistance or cash account balance(s).
Use an ATM or POS Machine
Additionally, you can check your food assistance or cash account balances at an ATM or Point of Sale (POS) machine.
Locate Your Last Receipt
Finally, you can also check your Alabama EBT Card balance by viewing your last transaction receipt.
Your EBT Card balance should be printed at the bottom of your receipt.
What is the Phone Number for Alabama EBT?
Here’s the number to call if you are trying to reach Alabama EBT Customer Service (Alabama ConnectEBT Support):
1-800-997-8888
You can call 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week
You can call the Alabama EBT Phone Number if:
- Your card is lost or stolen.
- Your card does not work.
- You want to change your PIN because you forgot it or if
someone else knows your PIN. - You want to find out how much you have left in your account.
- You have been charged for a purchase but you didn’t get the food or
if you were charged too much for what you bought. - You have other questions or problems.
How do I get a Replacement Alabama EBT Card?
If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged call EBT Customer Service at 1-800-997-8888 right away.
Your replacement card will be mailed to you and it will take 7-10 business days to arrive.
What Grocery Stores Accept Alabama EBT for Delivery?
As of March 2020, you can use your Alabama EBT card to make purchases online.
You can purchase groceries online for home delivery using your Alabama EBT card at Walmart and Amazon as the tweet below from Amazon shows.
We’re committed to making food accessible through online shopping, especially as millions are being encouraged to #StayHome. As part of our partnership w/ @USDA, we’re pleased to announce we’ve expanded the SNAP Online Pilot to Alabama. We look forward to adding more states soon.
— Amazon Public Policy (@amazon_policy) March 30, 2020
Furthermore, groceries can also be purchased online for pick up at participating Wright’s Market.
Also, you can use your EBT card at Aldi stores through the grocery shopping App – Instacart. For further instructions, click here.
Does Instacart Accept Alabama EBT?
Instacart accepts EBT for same-day delivery and pickup at participating retailers.
Aldi shoppers can place online orders via Instacart and enter EBT-card information at checkout for items covered under the list of eligible food stamps items.
Furthermore, a credit or debit card must be used for non-eligible costs, including delivery and service fees, taxes, tips, and bottle deposit fees in some states.
What Restaurants accept EBT in Alabama?
Since 1977, the Restaurant Meals Program has been an important part of the food stamps program.
It enables qualified elderly, disabled, and homeless SNAP recipients to buy food at authorized restaurants.
Any state or county can enroll in the Restaurant Meals Program.
The purpose of the program is to help expand food access to those who do not have a place to store and cook food, who may not be able to prepare food, or who don’t have access to a grocery store.
Unfortunately, the state of Alabama does not participate in the Restaurant Meals Program.
Therefore, you will not be able to use your Alabama EBT card to purchase food at restaurants, even if you meet the eligibility requirements for the program.
We will provide an update here as soon as the state of Alabama decides to offer the program.
How do I get Amazon Prime EBT Discount for $5.99?
If you have an Alabama EBT Card, you can now sign up for Amazon Prime EBT Discount and get all the great benefits that come with Prime membership, at a fraction of the cost.
The regular Amazon Prime membership is $12.99 a month. However, if you have an EBT Card, you can get Prime Membership for $5.99. That’s over 50% off the regular price.
Given that Amazon is part of the USDA pilot of vendors approved to accept food stamps online for delivery, prime membership is going to be a great thing to have.
Sign up for Amazon Prime EBT DiscountTo get Amazon Prime Discount at $5.99, click the link above or the image below.
Is there Free Admissions with Alabama EBT?
If you currently have an Alabama EBT, you are eligible for free or discounted admission to over 600 museums nationwide.
This program is sponsored by Museums for All, and includes access to all types of museums — including art, history, natural history/anthropology, and general museums, children’s museums, science centers, planetariums, nature centers, historic houses/sites, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and arboretums.
See the list of places in Alabama that offer Free or Discounted Admission for EBT Cardholders.
What Farmers Markets Double Alabama SNAP EBT Money?
Double Up Food Bucks in Alabama doubles the value of SNAP EBT benefits (Alabama EBT) spent at participating farmers’ markets and grocery stores, like Wright’s Market.
The program is run by Fair Food Network, a national nonprofit on a mission to connect people to the power of food to grow community health and wealth.
The goal of the program is to help low-income families bring home more healthy fruits and vegetables while supporting local farmers.
To locate Alabama Double Up Food Bucks Locations, click here.
How do I Login to Alabama EBT Account?
To log in to your Alabama EBT Card account, you need to visit the Alabama EBT Card website, which is run by Connect EBT.
To go to the Alabama Connect EBT website, click here.
Once there, User ID and Password, as shown by the image below.
Once logged in, you’ll be able to view your EBT account information, including the current balance and transaction history.
If you do not have a ConnectEBT account, click on the “Create User Account” link as shown below.
How do I recertify/Renew my Alabama Food Stamps?
Once you are approved for food stamps, your caseworker will tell you how long you’ve been approved for and how often you have to renew your benefits.
Generally, you will have to renew your food stamps every 6 months, 12 months, or 18 months depending on your situation.
This is called your certification period (the amount of time you will get food stamps before you have to renew your benefits).
When the time is near for you to renew your benefits, you will get a letter in the mail with instructions on how to renew your Alabama SNAP benefits.
There are two ways you can renew your benefits:
You can renew your benefits online using your MyDHR online account.
However, if you prefer to renew in person, you should call your caseworker or local DHR SNAP office for help.
Click here to locate a DHR office near you.
What if I lost food when my power was out because of the disaster?
If you lost food you purchased with your Alabama EBT benefits due to a power outage from a natural disaster, here’s what you can do:
The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) gives replacement food stamps in disasters.
Contact your local DHR office. Click here to locate a DHR office.
If you asked for replacement food stamps and were denied, you can appeal.
To appeal, write to the food stamp office where you applied.
When will Benefits Be Deposited to Alabama EBT?
Your benefits will be deposited onto your EBT card according to the schedule below:
If your Case Number ends in | Benefits are deposited on the |
00-04 | 4th of the month |
05-09 | 5th of the month |
10-14 | 6th of the month |
15-19 | 7th of the month |
20-24 | 8th of the month |
25-29 | 9th of the month |
30-34 | 10th of the month |
35-39 | 11th of the month |
40-44 | 12th of the month |
45-49 | 13th of the month |
50-54 | 14th of the month |
55-59 | 15th of the month |
60-64 | 16th of the month |
65-69 | 17th of the month |
70-74 | 18th of the month |
75-79 | 19th of the month |
80-84 | 20th of the month |
85-89 | 21st of the month |
90-94 | 22nd of the month |
95-99 | 23rd of the month |
Once your benefits are deposited into your account, you can begin using them with your Alabama EBT card to purchase eligible food items.
Alabama EBT Card FAQs Summary
We hope this post on Alabama EBT Card FAQs was helpful.
If you have further questions about the Alabama EBT Card, EBT discounts in general or Alabama SNAP benefits, please let us know in the comments section below.
Be sure to check out our other articles about Alabama EBT and EBT Cards in general, including: