Maryland EBT Card Basics: What It Is, How It Works, and How to Move Forward

The Maryland EBT card is a plastic debit-style card used to access certain public benefits, mainly food assistance (SNAP) and sometimes cash assistance (TCA or other cash programs). It is not a credit card, and it is not issued by HowToGetAssistance.org.

This guide walks you through the basics of how the Maryland EBT card typically works, how people usually apply through official channels, what to expect once approved, and how to avoid common problems.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational resource only. It does not process applications or manage benefits. To apply, check your status, or make changes, you must go through Maryland’s official benefits offices or portals.

What Is a Maryland EBT Card?

An Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card is a state-issued payment card that looks and works similar to a bank debit card. In Maryland, it is commonly used to access:

• SNAP (food stamps) – for buying eligible groceries
• Cash assistance – such as Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) or other state cash benefit programs, if you qualify

When you’re approved for these programs, your benefits are loaded onto the EBT card each month. You then:

• Swipe or insert the card at the checkout
• Enter your 4-digit PIN
• Pay for eligible items from your SNAP or cash balance

You do not receive cash SNAP benefits; those are meant for food purchases only. Cash assistance, if you receive it, can often be withdrawn at ATMs or used for broader purchases, subject to program rules.

Who Typically Qualifies for a Maryland EBT Card?

You don’t apply for “an EBT card” by itself. Instead, you apply for benefit programs like SNAP or cash assistance. If you’re approved, Maryland typically issues an EBT card to deliver those benefits.

Eligibility depends on the specific program, but common factors include:

For SNAP (Food Assistance)

People often qualify if they:

• Have low or very limited income
• Have limited resources/assets (rules vary by household)
• Are U.S. citizens or certain qualified non‑citizens
• Live in Maryland
• Meet household size and income guidelines

Special rules may apply to:

• Seniors (60+)
• People with disabilities
• Students in college or training programs

For Cash Assistance (e.g., TCA)

Cash assistance programs often consider:

• Very low income and limited resources
• Children in the home, or pregnancy (for some programs)
• Residency in Maryland
• Citizenship or eligible immigration status
• Willingness to participate in work or job-related activities, where required

Because rules can change and there are many details, it’s best to check with your local Department of Social Services office or Maryland’s official benefits portal to review the current eligibility criteria.

What Documents Do You Usually Need?

Having documents ready can help your application move faster. Requirements vary by county and program, but people are commonly asked for:

Proof of identity

• Driver’s license or state ID
• Passport
• School ID or other government-issued photo ID

Proof of Social Security number (for each person applying)

• Social Security card
• Official letter showing the SSN

Proof of Maryland residency

• Lease or rental agreement
• Utility bill with your name and address
• Official mail from a government agency

Proof of income

• Recent pay stubs
• Employer letter stating hours and pay
• Unemployment benefit letters
• Social Security or pension award letters
• Self-employment records

Proof of expenses (helps determine your benefit amount)

• Rent or mortgage receipt
• Utility bills
• Childcare expenses
• Medical expenses for elderly or disabled household members

Immigration or citizenship documents (if applicable)

• Birth certificate
• Naturalization certificate
• Permanent resident card (“green card”)
• Other immigration documents

If you’re missing some documents, do not assume you can’t apply. Many local offices allow you to submit what you have and then work with you to obtain additional proof.

How to Apply for Benefits That Use a Maryland EBT Card

To get a Maryland EBT card, you generally need to apply for SNAP or cash assistance through official state channels. You cannot apply through HowToGetAssistance.org.

In Maryland, people typically apply in one of these ways:

1. Online Through the Official Benefits Portal

Maryland has an official online benefits system where you can:

• Create an account
• Start a SNAP and/or cash assistance application
• Upload documents (in many cases)
• Check messages from the agency

To find the correct portal, search for the official Maryland benefits website or look for information from the Maryland Department of Human Services.

2. In Person at a Local Department of Social Services (DSS) Office

You can usually:

• Pick up a paper application
• Ask staff basic questions about the forms
• Drop off completed applications and copies of documents

A typical way to find your local office is to search for “Maryland Department of Social Services [your county]” or call state information lines for directions.

3. By Mail or Fax

Many Maryland counties will:

• Allow you to print an application from the official website
• Fill it out at home
• Mail or fax it to the address/number provided on the form

If you apply by mail or fax, keep copies of everything you send.

What Happens After You Apply?

Once you submit your application through official channels, a few steps usually follow:

1. Application Review

The local DSS office reviews your:

• Application answers
• Documents you provided
• Household situation

They check whether you meet financial and non-financial criteria for SNAP and/or cash assistance.

2. Interview

Most SNAP and cash assistance applications require an interview. It may be:

• By phone, or
• In person at the local DSS office

During the interview, a caseworker typically:

• Confirms the information you provided
• Asks follow-up questions about income, household members, and expenses
• Lets you know if more documents are needed

If you miss a scheduled interview, it can delay or deny your application, so it’s important to call your local office if you need to reschedule.

3. Decision and Notice

After the review and interview:

• The agency decides whether you are approved or denied
• You receive a written notice explaining:
  • If you qualify
  • Your benefit amount and start date, or
  • Why you were denied or your benefits were reduced

If approved for SNAP or cash assistance, you are usually:

• Issued a Maryland EBT card if you don’t already have one, or
• Have benefits added to your existing EBT card

4. Getting and Activating Your EBT Card

If it’s your first EBT card:

• It is normally mailed to the address you provided
• The envelope may look plain, so watch your mail carefully
• Instructions usually explain how to:
  • Call the EBT customer service number
  • Set your PIN
  • Activate the card

You normally must choose a 4‑digit PIN before you can use the card. Keep your PIN private.

Using Your Maryland EBT Card: Where and How

Using SNAP Benefits (Food Assistance)

You can typically use SNAP benefits at:

• Most grocery stores and supermarkets
• Many smaller food stores
• Some farmers’ markets
• Some online grocery retailers, depending on current state options

You can use SNAP to buy eligible food items, such as:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, poultry, fish
• Dairy products
• Bread and cereals
• Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages
• Seeds and plants that grow food

SNAP cannot be used for:

• Alcohol or tobacco
• Vitamins, supplements, or medicines
• Hot foods prepared for immediate eating (with limited exceptions)
• Non-food items like soap, paper products, or pet food

Using Cash Benefits

If you receive cash assistance on your EBT card, you can often:

• Use it at stores that accept EBT for eligible purchases
• Withdraw cash at ATMs that accept your card network, subject to any fees and program rules

Some locations charge ATM fees, and your program may limit or discourage certain types of withdrawals. Check your official program information or call the EBT customer service number on the back of your card with questions.

Checking Your EBT Balance

You can typically check your Maryland EBT balance:

• By calling the EBT customer service number on the back of your card
• At most store receipts after you use the card
• By logging into the official EBT cardholder website or app, if available in Maryland

Never share your PIN, full card number, or other personal information on unofficial websites or with people who contact you unexpectedly.

Common Problems, Delays, and Denials

People using or applying for Maryland EBT benefits often run into similar issues. Understanding these can help you avoid delays.

Common Reasons for Delays

• Missing documents – proof of income, identity, or residency not submitted
• Incomplete forms – sections left blank or unsigned
• Missed interviews – not answering the phone or not attending a scheduled appointment
• Difficulty verifying information – such as uncertain income or unclear household composition

If you think your application is delayed:

• Call your local DSS office
• Use the official online portal (if you applied there) to check messages or status
• Ask whether any additional documents or steps are needed

Common Reasons for Denials or Lower Benefits

• Income above the program limit for your household size
• Not meeting citizenship or immigration requirements
• Not living in Maryland (or recently left the state)
• Not responding to requests for more information or missing the interview
• Previously unreported changes that affect eligibility

If you’re denied and you disagree, you generally have the right to request an appeal or fair hearing.

How Appeals and Fair Hearings Typically Work

If you receive a notice that you were:

• Denied
• Given lower benefits than expected
• Had your benefits stopped

You typically have the right to ask for an appeal (fair hearing) through the Maryland Department of Human Services.

The process usually involves:

1. Reading your notice carefully

   • Note the reason for the decision
   • Note the deadline to request a hearing (often within a set number of days)

2. Submitting a hearing request

   • Usually done in writing, by mail, in person, or sometimes online or by fax
   • You can state why you think the decision is wrong and what you’re asking for

3. Preparing for the hearing

   • Gather documents, such as pay stubs, bills, or letters that support your case
   • You may ask someone to speak on your behalf or help you, such as a legal aid representative

4. Attending the hearing

   • Hearings may be by phone, video, or in person
   • An impartial hearing officer listens to both you and the agency before making a decision

For free or low-cost legal help, many Maryland residents contact:

• Legal aid organizations
• Local nonprofit advocacy groups
• 211 (by dialing 2‑1‑1) for referrals

Keeping Your Maryland EBT Card and Benefits Safe

EBT cards can be targeted by scammers. A few basic steps can help protect your benefits.

Security Tips

• Never share your PIN with anyone, including friends or relatives you don’t fully trust
• Do not write your PIN on the card or keep it in your wallet
• Beware of skimming devices on ATMs or card readers that look tampered with
• Avoid typing your card number and PIN into unofficial websites or apps
• Hang up on callers who:
  • Ask for your full card number and PIN
  • Claim they are from “the EBT office” but call you unexpectedly

If your card is lost, stolen, or you suspect fraud:

1. Call the EBT customer service number immediately (on the back of your card or from official state information).
2. Report the problem and request a card replacement.
3. Contact your local DSS office to ask about next steps or possible benefit protections, if any.

Verifying You’re on an Official Maryland Channel

To avoid scams or confusion, it’s important to confirm you’re dealing with official Maryland benefit offices, not third‑party sites or individuals.

You are more likely on an official channel if:

• You’re on a website ending in “.gov” associated with Maryland or a clearly identified state agency
• You got the contact information directly from:
  • A local DSS office
  • A notice or letter from the Maryland Department of Human Services
  • The back of your EBT card
• Phone representatives do not ask for your PIN, although they may verify your identity with other questions

You are likely not on an official channel if:

• A website promises “instant approval”, “guaranteed benefits”, or charges a fee to apply
• Someone says they can sell you extra benefits or buy your card (this is illegal)
• You’re asked to pay money to receive an EBT card or to be placed “at the front of the line”

HowToGetAssistance.org does not process applications, manage accounts, or provide official customer service. Use it only as a guidance resource.

Alternatives and Additional Help if You Don’t Qualify

If you are not eligible for SNAP or cash assistance, or you receive less than you need, you might consider:

• Food pantries and food banks – Many operate through community organizations, religious groups, and nonprofits
• Free or low‑cost community meals – Some community centers, churches, and shelters provide meals
• Utility assistance programs – Such as LIHEAP or local energy relief funds
• Rental or housing assistance – Through local housing authorities or nonprofit agencies
• 211 – Dialing 2‑1‑1 in Maryland can connect you to a range of local assistance programs and referrals

These resources usually have their own eligibility rules, but they can be useful alongside or instead of EBT‑based benefits.

Quick Reference: Maryland EBT Basics at a Glance

Understanding these Maryland EBT card basics can help you decide whether to contact your local Department of Social Services or visit the official Maryland benefits portal to move forward with an application, check your case, or ask detailed questions about your situation.