page_title: Electronic benefit transfer
hierarchical_section_title: Electronic benefit transfer
caption_attribution_description: EBT cards from several states
context_page_description: Electronic benefit transfer is an electronic system that allows state welfare departments to issue benefits via a magnetically encoded payment card used in the United States. It commenced its operations in 2004. The average monthly EBT payout is $125 per participant.
  Common benefits provided via EBT are typically of two general categories: food and cash benefits. Food benefits are federally authorized benefits that can be used only to purchase food and non-alcoholic beverages. Food benefits are distributed through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly the Food Stamp Program. Cash benefits include state general assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits and refugee benefits.
context_section_description: Electronic benefit transfer (EBT) is an electronic system that allows state welfare departments to issue benefits via a magnetically encoded payment card used in the United States. It commenced its operations in 2004. The average monthly EBT payout is $125 per participant.
  Common benefits provided via EBT are typically of two general categories: food and cash benefits. Food benefits are federally authorized benefits that can be used only to purchase food and non-alcoholic beverages. Food benefits are distributed through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the Food Stamp Program. Cash benefits include state general assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits and refugee benefits.
caption: EBT cards from several states
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