Important Information on EBT System Downtime
New York's Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system is expected to be unavailable on Sunday, May 19, 2024, between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The actual outage may be shorter or last longer than expected. Check otda.ny.gov for further information regarding the availability of the system and what changes you need to be aware of after the outage.
New York conversion of the EBT system through which Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance (TA) cash benefits are issued will occur on Sunday, May 19, 2024. During the conversion process, EBT access for food and cash purchases or cash withdrawals will not be available to TA and SNAP cardholders for a period of time. This EBT downtime is expected to begin around 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, May 19, 2024, and end at 11:00 a.m. However, the time frame for the system to be down could be shorter or extend longer than 11:00 a.m.
After the conversion, current EBT cards will continue to work and there is no need for clients to replace their card. There will be no impact on cardholders’ ability to access medical (Medicaid) benefits.
During the period of downtime, the EBT helpline printed on the back of the card (1-888-328-6399) and the retailer helpline will not be available, and retailers will not be able to process manual vouchers.
Safeguard Your Card: New EBT Card Lock Feature Is Available
Use the new lock/unlock card feature to help secure your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card and protect your benefits from scam-related theft. You can lock your EBT card when it is not in use and then unlock the card to make a purchase. Locking your card is easy.
Follow these four simple steps:
- Download or open the ConnectEBT app on your mobile device.
- Securely log in to your account andtap the new “Lock/Unlock Card"
- Select “Lock My Card Everywhere.”
- And click “OK.”
Locking your EBT card will block all purchases, balance inquiries, and transactions. Whenever you go shopping, use the ConnectEBT app to unlock your card and lock it again after you check out
For more ways to protect your benefits, visit otda.ny.gov/EBT-cardlock
If you receive SNAP your child is eligible for free Head Start or Early Head Start services!
Head Start and Early Head Start programs deliver free, comprehensive services to children from birth to 5-years-old, as well as to their families, in core areas of learning, health, nutrition, and family well-being.
For more information on Head Start programs, as well as to find a local program and to apply please visit https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/programs/article/head-start-programs
It's easy to prove eligibility with any of the following:
A copy of notice of SNAP approval
Other documentation of eligibility or benefits from the SNAP agency
Your household’s SNAP card (Electronic Benefit Transfer [EBT] card)
Si recibe SNAP su hijo es elegible para los servicios gratuitos de Head Start o Early Head Start.
Los programas Head Start y Early Head Start ofrecen servicios integrales gratuitos a niños desde el nacimiento hasta los 5 años y a sus familias en las áreas centrales del aprendizaje temprano, la salud, la nutrición y el bienestar familiar. Para obtener más información sobre los programas Head Start, visite https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/es/programas/articulo/programas-head-start
Es fácil demostrar la elegibilidad con cualquiera de estos documentos:
Una copia del aviso de aprobación de SNAP
Otro documentode elegibilidado de beneficios de la agencia de SNAP
La tarjeta de SNAP de su hogar (tarjeta de transferencia electrónica de beneficios [EBT]).