If it isn’t to round up every coupon you’ve got…
If, instead, you find yourself dialing the number on the back of your EBT card and punching in your account digits to figure out how much you can spend, you should pay attention.
That’s because a handy free app called Fresh EBT lets you view your food stamp balance with a single tap.
How Fresh EBT Modernizes Food Stamp Access
Almost 43 million Americans participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly referred to as food stamps. (If you’re not enrolled, click here to learn if you qualify.)
Each month, SNAP benefits are loaded onto an electronic benefits transfer card — essentially a government-funded debit card. But unlike ordinary debit cards, finding out how much you have left to spend isn’t always straightforward.
Jimmy Chen, a former product manager at Facebook, felt that was unfair.
“If people with credit or debit cards can check their balance, EBT users should have the same ability,” Chen says.
So he and a small team “borrowed the things Facebook did well — making easy-to-use software — and built Fresh EBT.”
The app delivers a smooth, bank-style experience for SNAP recipients. It’s free and available nationwide for Android and iOS.
If you’re on SNAP, you can install the app and register with your EBT number.
After that, your benefits balance refreshes automatically. To view it, simply open the app.
“This is an easier way to manage your benefits,” Chen says. “It replaces calling the number on the back of your card or hanging on to grocery receipts.”
Launched in January 2016, the app now has about 900,000 users who open it at least monthly.
It holds a 4.6 rating on Google Play with over 8,000 five-star reviews, and ranks among the top free finance apps — alongside heavyweights like Venmo, Capital One and Bank of America. In Apple’s App Store it carries a four-star rating. Most negative feedback concerns connectivity or access problems.
How Fresh EBT Can Help You Keep More Money
Beyond making it simple to check your food stamp balance, Fresh EBT offers several tools that may reduce your grocery expenses:
- Nearby vendor map:Open the app to quickly find grocery stores and farmers markets in your area that accept EBT.
- Store discounts:Depending on your region, the app may offer grocery savings. In New York City, for instance, you can get $5 off for every $75 spent at Food Town. The app also tracks your spending by store so you can see where you’re getting the best value.
- Recipe ideas:In collaboration with cookbook author Leanne Brown, the app supplies inexpensive, nutritious recipes for families.
- Alliances with other programs:Programs like EARN Starter, for example, give $10 for every $20 you save.
- Local assistance listings:The app points to organizations offering additional help, such as nonprofits and food pantries.
“Our aim with Fresh EBT is to help users enhance their overall financial well-being,” Chen notes.
For more strategies to cut grocery costs, see this roundup of tips and tricks.
Also, if you’re wondering about paying for groceries online with your benefits, learn more here: can you pay for groceries online with ebt.
