OTDA Home → Programs & Services → Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)
What is EBT?
EBT is the method by which the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) delivers cash and food stamp benefits to New York State's recipient population. Cash and food stamp benefits are deposited into electronic benefit accounts which can be accessed using a Common Benefit Identification Card (CBIC) and Personal Identification Number (PIN). The Card can be used at EBT participating ATM machines and Point of Sale (POS) terminals throughout the state.
New York food stamp recipients may access their EBT food stamp benefits anywhere within the United States at participating EBT locations. Cash benefits may also be accessed at participating ATM and POS locations throughout the country.
A toll-free Customer Service Helpline (1-888-328-6399) is available in English and Spanish to recipients 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The helpline may be used by recipients to get account information and balances, for questions about using benefit cards or to report lost or stolen cards. The helpline may also be used to change a PIN.
Changes to Payphone Access to the EBT Customer Helpline
As of August 15, 2007 a caller will no longer be able to reach the EBT toll free Customer Service helpline from a payphone. Calls to this helpline can still be made from any other type of phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Below are links to additional information about this change which may also be found on the EBT Publications page.
- Questions and Answers (Q & As)
- Notice - Changes to Payphone Access to the EBT Helpline
- Poster - Changes to Payphone Access to the EBT Helpline
Cardholder Account Website
Cardholders can now obtain information in English and Spanish about their accounts on the Internet by going to www.ebtaccount.jpmorgan.com. Cardholders need to register the first time they log on to the EBT Account website. Once a cardholder signs in with a valid card number and PIN, the following are some of the available functions:
- Account summary (account balances)
- Account(s)activity (transaction) details
- Online account statement
- PIN change
- Communication with EBT Customer Service via e-mail
- Reporting damaged lost or stolen cards
There is an easy-to-use EBT Cardholder Account Overview Guide on the EBT Publications page.
How to Use Your Benefit Card to Get Food Stamp and/or Cash Benefits
For information about accessing your benefits (OTDA Publication Number 4596), select from the various languages currently available on the EBT Publications page.
To view these publications you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, available free at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/.