SOUTH CAROLINA EBT
(ELECTRONIC BENEFITS TRANSFER)

EBT is the method South Carolina uses to issue Food Stamps.

§         The EBT card is a plastic debit card with the "QUEST" Logo on it.

§         You will use the EBT card to buy food in the same way you use an ATM debit card.

§         You can use your EBT card in any food store in the United States that displays the "Quest" logo.

§         Benefits are put in the EBT accounts nightly only.  If the caseworker approved benefits during the day, the benefits will be placed in the account that night.

How do I use my South Carolina EBT Card?

At the grocery checkout lane, tell the clerk at you are using your South Carolina EBT Card. Once your card has been swiped through the Point-of- Sale (POS) machine (either by you or the clerk), choose “EBT” and enter your PIN. The PIN allows you to control who uses the card. Other people can shop for you, but if you give anyone your EBT Card and PIN, you are still responsible for the transactions.

What will my South Carolina EBT Card look like?

What is a PIN?

PIN stands for Personal Identification Number. Your PIN is a four-digit number you must use with your South Carolina EBT Card. The PIN gives you access to your EBT account.

How do I remember my PIN?

It is very important to memorize your PIN. When you call the toll-free Customer Service telephone number to select your PIN, choose for numbers are easy for you to remember, but hard for someone else to figure out. Keep your PIN a secret. Do not write your PIN on your card. Do not keep your PIN in your wallet or purse.

What if I enter the wrong PIN or I forget my PIN?

If you are in the grocery store and enter the wrong PIN, you have three more consecutive chances to enter the right PIN. If you do not enter the correct PIN by the fourth try, a “lock” is put on your card and you will not be able to use your card until the next day. If you cannot remember your PIN, call the toll-free Customer Services telephone number to select a new PIN. You also need to choose a new PIN if you think someone else knows your PIN and you do not want them to know it. You should always know your PIN before you go to the grocery store

§         ** When you receive your EBT card, you must call to get a PIN:
 

§         Call 1-800-554-5268. This number is available 24 hours a day, and seven days a week. A recording will tell you when to enter information.  You can not call this number from a pay phone.
 

§         Before you call, make sure you have:

·         Your 16 digit EBT Card number

·         Your Social Security Number

·         Your Birth Date

When you start receiving food stamps, you will get your benefits the day after your food stamp case is approved by your local DSS Office. Ongoing food stamp cases will get their benefits the same date each month, even if that date falls on a weekend or holiday.

§         The last number of your food stamp case number tells you what that date is. 
Example: Your food stamp case number is 000228305. Your food stamp benefits will go into your EBT account on the 5th of every month.

How do I take care of my South Carolina EBT Card?

·         Keep you South Carolina EBT Card safe and clean.

·         Do not bend or twist the card.

·         Keep the black magnetic stripe on the back of your card clean and free from scratches.

·         Store your Couth Carolina EBT Card in a wallet or purse.

·         Keep your card away from magnets (i.e., handbag clasps, TV’s, etc.) and other credit or debit cards.

·         Keep your card out of direct sunlight.

·         NEVER tell your PIN to anyone including the store clerk.

What if my South Carolina Card is lost or stolen?

If anyone takes you card and knows your PIN, they can use up ALL your benefits. These benefits will Not be replaced. If your South Carolina EBT Card is stolen, lost or damaged, call 1-800-554-5268 to
report it. No one will be able to use your card once you report it missing to Customer Service.

How can I receive a new South Carolina EBT Card?

If your South Carolina EBT Card is lost, damaged or stolen, you will have to call customer services to get a new card. Your current PIN will carry over to your new card; however, for safety reasons, you may want to change your PIN. You can change your PIN online at www.ebtaccount.jpmorgan.com or by calling Customer Service at 1-800-554-5268.

How will I know the balance in my South Carolina EBT Card account?

There are three easy ways to check how much you have left in your account:

·         Always keep your receipts. Check your receipt from your last purchase; it shows your available balance.

·         Log on to www.ebtaccount.jpmorgan.com.

·         Call Customer Service at 1-800-554-5268.

Always know your balance before you go shopping.

When should I call Customer Service?

·         Call if your card is lost, damaged or stolen.

·         Call if you have forgotten or lost your PIN.

·         Call to change your PIN.

·         Call if you need to know the balance in your account.

·         Call if you have questions or need help with your card.

You can not use a payphone to call 1-800-554-5268.

Note: When you call, stay on the line until a Customer Service Representative answers and can tell you how to get a new South Carolina EBT Card. Remember, no one will be able to use your old South Carolina EBT Card once you request a new one and it takes three (3) to seven (7) days to get a new South Carolina EBT Card.

What if I get an error message from the Point-of-Sale (POS) machine?

Here are some error messages you could get on the POS machine in the store:

INVALID PIN 

If you get this message, you have entered your PIN incorrectly. If you do not enter the correct PIN by the fourth try, a “lock” is put on your card and you will not be able to use your card until the next day. If you cannot remember your PIN, call Customer Service to select a new PIN.

INSUFFICIENT BALANCE

If you get this message, you have tried to spend more than your balance in your South Carolina EBT Card account. If your groceries cost more than your balance, you can put some items back or pay for the rest in cash. Before you shop, check your balance.

CARD NOT ON FILE

If you get this message, call Customer Service at 1-800-554-5268.

How do I take something back to the store? Can I get cash back?

Take the item, store receipt and you South Carolina EBT Card back to the store. The store will issue a credit to your EBT account which will be available immediately. YOU WILL NOT GET CASH BACK.

What if my store does not have a POS machine or the POS machine is not working?

Some retailers may not have a POS machine or the POS machine may be out of order. In these cases, the retailer will use a paper form, called a manual voucher, that you will need to sign. You must still show your South Carolina EBT Card to the store clerk to process the transaction. DO NOT TELL THE CLERK YOUR PIN.

If a POS is not available, the store may have a limit on what you can spend in this situation. If there are not enough benefits in your EBT account to cover your purchase, the store has the legal right to get payment from your future EBT benefits.

What if I plan to move or change my mailing address?

Immediately report mailing address changes to your eligibility worker so you will receive your South Carolina EBT cards and Food Stamp case notices timely.

IF YOU MOVE, CALL YOUR LOCAL DSS OFFICE AND TELL THEM THAT YOU ARE MOVING.

If you are moving to another state with, you can use your SC EBT card to use the remaining balance in your account in stores in that state.

Information about what you buy, where you shop, and how often you shop with your EBT card may be reviewed by the state and/or federal governments. Some stores may also use this information for shopping patterns. You have the right to a fair hearing if your EBT account is debited to correct computer problems.

In accordance with federal law and the US Dept. Of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs or disability.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write to:
USDA, Director Office of Civil Rights
Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-9410
Or call
(202) 720-5964 (Voice or TDD)
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer

If you have questions about EBT, call your case worker at your local DSS Office.