New York EBT Phone Number (Speak to a Live Person)

Last Updated on 8/19/22

The Customer service agents at that answer the New York EBT card phone number are there to help you with questions regarding your EBT, P-EBT or cash assistance card. Even though the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) offices may be closed due to the pandemic, OTDA employees are assisting people by telephone. In this post, we will provide the New York EBT Phone Number to call for help with your EBT or P-EBT benefits.

However, before you call the New York EBT Helpline, scroll below to see if the question you are calling about is already answered here.

This post will cover:

• New York EBT Phone Number
• How to Speak to a Live person at NY EBT Customer Service
• Before You Call NY EBT Customer Service

New York EBT Card Customer Service Phone Number

1-888-328-6399

You can call the this toll free number 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week.

However, hold times have been reported to be very long, as many people are calling the OTDA to inquire about EBT benefits.

To save you time and frustration, we have provided answers below to the most common reasons people call the New York EBT Phone Number.

Scroll down to see if your question is answered below.

How to speak to a live person

Here’s how to reach a LIVE person at the New York EBT Phone Helpline:

It can be frustrating to call the EBT helpline and find yourself speaking to an automated system.

Here is how you can get to a real person when you call the New York EBT helpline:

Step 1

Call 1-888-328-6399 for assistance.

Step 2

Select your language

Step 3

Enter your 13 or 19 digit card number

Step 4

Select “0” to be connected to a person

Step

When connected to a live person, you can proceed to ask them your question or tell them about the issue with your NY EBT Card.

Before you call the New York EBT Phone Number

As we mentioned above, the New York EBT Phone lines are flooded with phone calls from people trying to get details about EBT benefits.

Therefore, hold times are long when you call the phone number.

We have answered the top questions people call the New York EBT Phone Number for.

Scroll down below to see if your question has been answered below.

How Do I Check the Balance on my New York EBT Card?

There are four different ways to check the balance on your NY EBT Card.

You can do FREE balance inquiries:

• By calling the EBT Helpline toll free number at 1-888-328-6399.
• You can also check your balance online at www.connectebt.com. For instructions, click here.
• Additionally, you can check the balance at any store that takes SNAP benefits.
• Lastly, you can check your EBT card balance at ATMs where EBT cards are accepted (for Cash benefit EBT Cardholders).

How do I replace a Lost or Stolen New York EBT Card?

Here’s how to replace a lost or stolen NY EBT Card:

First, If you suspect or know:

• That your New York EBT card or card number has been lost or stolen;
• That someone not authorized by you has gained access to your EBT card or card number and PIN;
• or, That someone has gained information about your identity that may result in your benefits being stolen.

If any of the above is true, follow these three (3) steps:

Step 1

First, you must immediately contact EBT Customer Service (1-888-328-6399) to report your EBT card lost or stolen.

Only by first contacting EBT Customer Service to deactivate your EBT card can you protect yourself against potential benefit theft.

When you call, the EBT Customer Service will deactivate your card so that no one else can use it.

You can also request a new replacement card to be mailed to you at this time.

Step 2

Contact your local SNAP caseworker to report the problem and to request what is called EBT ARU PIN Restriction.

This is a procedure that your SNAP office can use to make it impossible to change your PIN over the phone through the EBT
Customer Service helpline or through the Internet Cardholder Account website.

Once this procedure is done, any PIN changes would have to be done by you, with your card in hand, at the local agency or assistance center.

Furthermore, this restriction can also be removed upon your request by your agency worker.

Step 3

If you did not request a replacement card when you called EBT Customer Service to report your card lost, stolen or damaged,
contact your SNAP caseworker and request one.

Also, It is recommended that you select a new PIN for your new card at the SNAP office or assistance center.

How Do I reset my New York EBT Card PIN?

Your PIN is your electronic signature for your EBT Card. It contains four (4) numbers.

It is important to keep this information safe.

Your New York EBT benefit card will not work without your PIN.

If you forget your PIN or want to change your PIN at any time, here’s how:

Here are the steps to reset or change your New York EBT Card PIN:

To access your EBT benefits, you need a PIN.

If you do not remember your PIN, you can select a new by completing the following instructions:

First, call 1-888-328-6399.

When prompted, select your preferred language from those offered – for example, press ‘1’ for English.

Next, you’ll be asked to enter the 19-digit number from the front of the card using your phone’s keypad.

After entering the card number, you will hear a series of options. Press ‘1’ to create your PIN or if you have forgotten your previously selected PIN, ignore the prompt to enter your PIN number and press ‘2’ to create a new PIN.

You will be asked to enter the last four digits of the cardholder’s Social Security Number.

The Cardholder is the person whose name is on the front of the card.

Be sure to enter only the last 4 digits of that person’s Social Security Number.

After entering the cardholder’s Social Security Number, you’ll be asked to enter your zip code.

Finally, you will be asked to select your new 4-digit PIN.

Enter a 4-digit number using your phone’s keypad.

Memorize this number.

Like when using a debit card, you’ll be asked to enter it whenever you make a purchase using your EBT food benefits.

Additionally, you may also change your PIN at most Social Services Offices, Job Centers and SNAP Centers.

How do I Activate New York EBT Card?

To activate your NY EBT Card, follow the instructions that came with your EBT Card in the mail.

The envelope containing your EBT card should have a sheet of paper with instructions on how to activate the card and set up your PIN.

If you have questions about activating your card, call your caseworker.

What Can I call the New York EBT Phone Number for?

You may use the helpline to:

• Check your SNAP or cash account balance information.
• Hear your last ten transactions.
• Request a printed 2-month statement of your account history.
• File a claim if you suspect that a transaction error occurred.
• Change your PIN.
• Report damaged, lost, or stolen cards, and request a replacement card be mailed to you.

Can I get New York SNAP right away?

If your household has little or no money and needs help right away, you may qualify for “expedited” SNAP.

If you do qualify, you must receive your initial benefit within 5 days.

However, you will will still have to complete the eligibility process and supply the requested documentation at a later date.

You can get expedited SNAP if any of the following apply to you:

• Your household has less than $100 in cash or other available resources. You will have less than $150 in gross income (before taxes) during the month that you apply.
• Your combined income and available resources in the month that you apply are less than the total of your rent or mortgage plus heat, utilities, and phone bills.
• At least one person in the household is a migrant or seasonal farm worker who has less than $100 in cash or other available resources.

What Can You Buy with New York EBT?

According to guidelines established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which administers the food stamps/SNAP program, here is the list of items you are allowed to buy with your EBT Card.

What you CAN buy with EBT Card:

Foods for the household to eat, such as:

• bread and cereals;
• fruits and vegetables;
• meats, fish and poultry; and
• dairy products.
• Seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat.

What you CANNOT buy with EBT Card:

• Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco
  Any nonfood items, such as:
• pet foods
• soaps, paper products
• household supplies
• Vitamins and medicines
• Food that will be eaten in the store
• Hot foods

Which Grocery Stores accept NY EBT Card Online?

Under the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot launched by the USDA 2019, 49 states including New York now allow food stamps SNAP beneficiaries to shop and pay for groceries online.

Below is the current list of supermarkets that accept New York EBT card online for delivery/and or pick-up.

• 3 Guys From Brooklyn
• ALDI
• Amazon
• BJs Wholesale Club
• Dash’s Market
• Ferreira Foodtown
• Food Bazaar
• Foodtown-Freshtown
• GreenStar Food Co-op
• Hannaford
• Manhattan Fruit Market
• My Foodtown
• Price Chopper Supermarkets
• Price Rite
• Sam’s Club Scan and Go
• Schneider’s of Kirkwood
• ShopRite
• Stop & Shop
• Tops Market
• Walmart
• Wegmans
• Weis Markets
• Whole Foods

New York EBT Phone Number Summary

We hope this post on the New York EBT Phone Number was helpful.

If you have further questions about New York SNAP or New York EBT, please let us know in the comments section below.

Also, be sure to check out our other articles about NY SNAP and EBT, including:

• New York EBT Deposit Dates for 2021
• Get Free Admission with NY EBT Card
• New York P-EBT Benefits for Summer 2021
• P-EBT Extension for NY for School Year 2020/2021
• How much will I get in New York EBT Benefits?
• New York EBT Login