If you don’t know how to check the balance on your Maine EBT card, you may be disqualified when it comes to food stamps for low-income families who meet the federal income requirements. Read on to find out everything you need to know before it’s too late!
Overview of Maine EBT Card Balances
The Supplementary Food Program offers essential nutrition and food assistance to eligible low-income and vulnerable households.
Your benefits will be deposited electronically on your EBT (electronic benefit transfer) card if you are accepted for the Maine Supplement Plan.
The Maine EBT Card is like a regular ATM or debit card, also known as the Maine Pine Tree Card. Each month, food stamp benefits are deposited to your EBT card the same day.
You will use your Maine EBT Card benefits by 5:00 AM the morning after they are added to your EBT Card account.
Benefits can be used to purchase approved food from qualifying retailers. Most department stores in Maine accept the Maine Pine Tree Card as payment.
About the Maine EBT Card
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers economical food assistance funds that help low-income families purchase the food they need for healthy living.
The amount of benefit each household receives from food assistance is based on the Thrifty Food Plan, a U.S. model weight loss plan. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) uses various household sizes. To estimate the price of food in one month
Under SNAP rules, resources are weighed to decide whether a household is eligible for SNAP, such as bank accounts, real estate, and cash. Personal property, cars, etc.
Some resources are counted according to their allowance. and other resources are not counted. Employees at SNAP must explain what is counted.
Services for those requiring public assistance, SSI, and general assistance in some areas do not count toward the cap.
Eligibility Criteria for Maine EBT
To qualify for this incentive plan You must be a Maine resident and fall into one of two groups:
(1) Those who have a current balance in the bank (savings and checking combined) less than $2,001
(2) Those who have a current bank balance (Savings and checking combined) less than $3,001 who share their household with a person or persons aged 60 years or older, or with a person with a disability
to have qualifications You must have an annual household income that is less than or equal to the sum of the following: (before tax):
Annual household income limit (before tax) |
|
| Household size* | Highest income level (per year) |
| 1 | $23,107 |
| 2 | $31,284 |
| 3 | $39,461 |
| 4 | $47,638 |
| 5 | $55,815 |
| 6 | $63,992 |
| 7 | $72,169 |
| 8 | $80,346 |
An additional $8,177 is added for households with more than 8 people. To ensure the most reliable advice, always consult with the correct management.
All households may have countable resources worth up to $2,000 and still be eligible. Households are responsible for up to $3,000. If at least 1 member is 60 years of age or older
Most households must have income before and after deductions are allowed. Equal to or below the specified dollar limit.
However, households in which all members receive public assistance or SSI (or general assistance in some areas) are not required to meet income requirements.
Maine EBT Payment Schedule
| If the last digit of your birthday ends with | Benefits are deposited at |
| 0 or 9 | 10th day of the month |
| 1 or 8 | 11th day of the month |
| 2 or 3 | 12th day of the month |
| 4 or 7 | 13th day of the month |
| 5 or 6 | 14th day of the month |
Once your benefits have been deposited into your account You can start using those benefits with your Maine EBT Card to purchase eligible food items.
List of stores accepting online EBT for delivery.
As you know The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has introduced a pilot program. (Online Buying Pilot Program) to encourage select grocery stores to begin accepting electronic EBT cards for grocery purchases. Including delivery to your doorstep.
The grocery stores listed below have been approved for the pilot project. This will give EBT cardholders the opportunity to purchase food for delivery online.
- Amazon
- Dash Flea Market
- Fresh Direct
- Hart’s Local Grocery Store
- Hi-Vee Inc.
- Safeway
- Shoprite
- Wal-Mart Store Inc.
- Write Inc Market
Where can I use my Maine EBT card?
You cannot use your Maine EBT card in the following locations:
- Casino
- poker room
- card room
- Cigarette and marijuana shops
- adult entertainment business
- Nightclub/living room/tavern
- Tattoo and piercing shop
- Spa/massage shop
- Bingo Hall
- bail bond
- Race track
- Gun/ammo shop
- cruise ship
- psychic reader
Food and products not eligible for purchase with the Maine EBT Card
- Hot food from the deli/meals eaten inside the restaurant
- Vitamins or medicine
- pet food
- Paper or cleaning products
- Alcohol/Tobacco products
For all approved food items Please see a list of foods eligible for food stamps here.
What is a Maine Pine Card?
- The Maine Pine Tree Card is the state of Maine’s EBT card.
- EBT = Electronic Benefits Transfer
- EBT Card = A card that looks and functions like a debit or credit card. But it’s full of food stamps and/or cash benefits. You can use it at any store that accepts EBT.
- You will receive a Maine Pine Tree card once you are approved for benefits.
- Maine’s EBT customer service number is 1-800-477-7428.
How to check your Maine EBT card balance.
It’s important to know the current EBT balance on your Maine Pine Tree card. This can help you plan your grocery shopping throughout the month until the state next refills your EBT card.
There are several ways to check how much money you have on your card. Here’s how to check your Pine Tree Card balance.
Option 1 – Check your most recent receipt.
The first way to check your Pine Tree card balance is to search for your most recent receipt. This is the fastest and easiest way to find the current balance on your Maine EBT card.
Your balance will be displayed at the bottom of your most recent grocery or ATM receipt. You can familiarize yourself with your most recent EBT receipt, so before you shop. You still have a way to quickly test your balance.
Option 2 – Login to your Pine tree Card account.
A second option to test your Maine EBT card balance is available online through the Pine tree Card website. Visit the Pine tree Card website to sign in, then enter your user ID and password.
You will be able to access your current balance and transaction history once you are logged in. You can create a user account. If you don’t have a Pine tree Card account
Option 3 – Check by phone
The final way to check your card balance is by phone. Call back your card with the EBT customer service number (1-800-477-7428).
Hotline customer support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Type your sixteen (16) digit EBT card number after you call. You will then hear your new food assistance or cash account balance.