EBT

Grocery shopping is one of the most widely performed activities around the world.

If you are a food merchant, you probably know that not everyone pays for their food with cash or credit cards, but many use food stamps as well. Now that paper is becoming a less and less common form of the food stamp, many purchases are made with the use of a single card called Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.

The EBT card works much like a credit card. You can even use the same terminal through which you scan your credit cards, but a specific program is required for this kind of transaction to work efficiently. Retailers wishing to participate in these benefits programs must be equipped with electronic point-of-sale equipment including a terminal, printer and pin pad.

The EBT system will be handling transactions for The United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Service food stamps benefits, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, and other government delivered cash assistance benefits programs, by tracking allocations electronically.