How To Check Your EBT Balance In New Jersey [Get The Facts]

David Duford last updated on April 19, 2022

For many low-income American families, additional food stamp benefits are a crucial part of their monthly budget.

Food stamp coupons, now known as SNAP benefits, are received via EBT, or Electronic Benefits Transfer. Since you now need an online account to receive and use your benefits, each household will need to keep an eye on their balance.

So, how can you check your EBT balance in New Jersey? What about P EBT? Let’s find out.

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What is EBT?

EBT is an umbrella term used to refer to all electronically issued benefits, including SNAP, FA, and WIP. These benefits are designed to supplement a household’s nutrition, allowing them extra money to pay for food groceries.

If you use EBT, you’re likely already familiar with the rules and regulations. These benefits are designed for food groceries only. Unfortunately, non-food groceries (even the essential ones!) aren’t covered by food stamp benefits or any other EBT cash.

Your benefits will be deposited into your account every month, and you’ll receive a plastic card, like a debit or credit card, to pay for your food online or in stores.

It’s also worth noting that you won’t be able to use your EBT card to get cash, either via cashback from a purchase or from an ATM.

So, what can you use your EBT card for? What does “food groceries” entail? Let’s find out.

Here’s what you can buy with EBT:

Fruit and vegetables (canned, frozen, or fresh)
Bread, cereals, and grains
Baby food and formula
Meat, poultry, and fish
Nuts, beans, and legumes
Non-alcoholic beverages
Snack foods (like ice cream, chips, and candy)

In short, most foods are covered by your SNAP benefits. Whole foods, ingredients, and even some luxury goods (snacks, soda, coffee beans, and steak are all covered by your benefits) are available.

While you can buy virtually every kind of food with your EBT card, not everything is approved.

Here’s what you can’t buy with EBT:

Alcoholic beverages
Tobacco products
Gambling/lottery tickets
Pet food
Clothes, cosmetics, and other personal items
Electronics
Vitamins, medicines, and supplements
Hot, pre-prepared food and drink (like hot coffee and rotisserie chickens)
Household supplies (cleaning products and paper goods)
Hygiene and grooming items (pads, tampons, soap, shampoo, etc)

It’s important to only use your EBT card to buy approved goods. Buying even one unapproved item will lead to your card being declined altogether, or you’ll have to pay for the item yourself later.

You can’t overspend your EBT balance. Once the money in your account is gone, you can’t spend any more. On the other hand, unspent cash rolls on to the next month and adds to your next set of benefits.

Frequently Asked EBT Questions in New Jersey

Since each state has slightly different rules for EBT – as well as a slightly different login site – it’s important to do your research, if you plan to travel or move to another state.

Is New Jersey P EBT a monthly payment?

P EBT is an extra payment given to eligible children, who would have been receiving free or reduced-price school meals. School closures mean that these children aren’t able to get this food, so P EBT supplements the gap.

P EBT is a monthly payment in New Jersey, with a top payment of $122.76 per month.

How can I use my EBT card in New Jersey?

New Jersey has a special card for EBT, known as the Families First Card EBT. This website shows you how to use that card, as well as other benefits you may be eligible for.

Checking Your New Jersey EBT Balance

There are several ways to check your EBT balance in New Jersey. The simplest way to check your balance is to review the receipt for your latest EBT purchase, which should have your closing EBT balance.

Alternatively, you can call the customer service number on the back of your EBT card. However, most users prefer to log in to their online accounts. This should be easy enough, presuming that you have all the details needed for your account.

Step One: Start by visiting this website. This will take you straight to the New Jersey EBT login site, and you’ll be prompted to enter your details, like your user ID and password. Then you can log in to your EBT account, view your balance, and review other important information.

Step Two: If you forget some of your details, don’t worry! If you forget your user ID, click on the “forgotten user ID” option below the login button. To reset your ID, you’ll need to enter some details, like your social security number, date of birth, and EBT card number.

Step Three: If you’ve forgotten your password (we’ve all been there!) click the “reset password” option below the login button. Once again, you’ll need to enter your social security number, date of birth, and EBT card number. Then you’ll be able to reset your password and create a new one.

Step Four: If you’re still having difficulty logging into your account, click the “help?” option below the login button. This will bring up a popup box going through details to log in to your account. You’ll also notice that there are a few commonly asked questions, listed to the right of the login box. If you see a question that interests you, click the option and it will bring up more information about that particular concern.

The Bottom Line

Using your EBT card and checking your balance online is a simple process, once you’re used to it.

You might find yourself worrying about non-food essential goods, like cleaning products, clothes, and hygiene items. Fortunately, most stores will allow you to make several payments on one order of shopping, meaning that you can use your EBT card to pay for your family’s food, and your own money to pay for other groceries.

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