How to Get Your EBT Card Number Without the Card

Every year, thousands find themselves without their EBT card when they need it most. In fact, one USDA report mentioned that up to 30% of recipients have reported their card lost, stolen or damaged within just five days of receiving their benefits!

If you don’t have your EBT card handy or if you’ve misplaced it, you may still be able to order groceries online if you can get the essential information from your card. This provides a vital lifeline for low income families who can’t afford to go weeks or even days without access to their benefits. We’ll show you how to find your EBT card number without the card so that you can keep food on your table while you wait for a replacement.

How to Find Your EBT Card Number Without the Card

Finding your EBT card number online is difficult but it may be possible. These numbers are protected for security reasons, so it will take some time to recover it.

That being said, there are some strategies you can use to find your EBT card number even when the physical card isn’t available to you. This is valuable because it will allow you to use those benefits to order groceries online and continue using those benefits.

However, before you get started, please keep this in mind:

• Security Concerns: Trying to find your full EBT card number without the card is like trying to find your debit or credit card number. For safety and security reasons, this information is hard to find.
• Theft and Fraud: If your card has been lost or stolen, it’s important to order a replacement card as soon as possible to protect your benefits. We’ll include instructions for that below.

Contact Customer Service

The easiest and most secure way to get your EBT card number is to call your state’s official EBT customer service hotline. Usually, you can find this number on the back of your EBT card but since you don’t have it available, you’ll need to take some extra steps.

Here’s how to find the right number:

1. Visit your state’s website: Go to your state government’s main website (example: www.california.gov).
2. Search for “SNAP” or “EBT”: Use the website’s search bar and type in “SNAP,” “EBT,” or “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.”
3. Find the EBT Customer Service Page: The search results should lead you to the page managed by the agency that handles EBT benefits. The customer service number will be prominently displayed on that page.

You will be required to verify your identity during the call. Be prepared to provide information about your identity, contact information and other case details. Since you don’t have your EBT card number, you may be asked to provide your Social Security Number or other identifying information.

The representative will help you retrieve your EBT card number or find another solution in accordance with your state’s policies. If your card was lost or stolen, the agent can also assist you with deactivating the missing card and issuing a replacement.

Use the Online Portal

Most states offer secure online portals that help you manage your EBT benefits. These may include websites or apps that are managed by the state. Online portals are a great way to access information about your benefits.

In some areas, your full EBT card number may be listed in the online portal. However, some states only reveal a portion of the EBT card number in this system.

Here’s how to use your state’s online portal to find your EBT card number without the card:

1. Start with a Search: Navigate to your state’s official government website as your initial step. Always ensure you’re on the official state website or app to avoid phishing scams. Look for “.gov” in the website address.
2. Look for EBT Management: Use keywords like “EBT account management,” “EBT login,” or “SNAP portal” in the site’s search bar to find the online benefits management page.
3. Create or Enter Your Account: If you haven’t already, you may need to create an account using your personal information. If you have an account, log in with your credentials.
4. Navigating the Portal: Once logged in, look for sections labeled “Card Management,” “Benefit Details,” or similar to find information related to your EBT card.
5. Full or Partial Numbers: Depending on your state, the portal might display your full EBT card number or only a portion of it for security reasons.
6. Immediate Actions: The portal often includes options to report a lost or stolen card directly online. Use this feature to promptly deactivate the card and request a replacement.

If the portal does not provide the full card number, it will typically offer features for checking your balance, viewing transactions, or contacting customer service for further assistance. If this happens, you will need to reach out to customer service using the steps outlined above.

You may also be able to obtain a partial EBT card number from other apps you use, like the Providers app. However, that app usually won’t show your full 16-digit EBT card number.

Check Your Saved Payment Methods

Many online browsers save your payment methods for future use. If you’ve previously used your EBT card for online purchases and allowed your browser to save your payment information, this can be a lifeline in situations where your card is lost.

When you’re trying to find your EBT card number without the card, it’s important to check every device where you may have made a purchase with your benefits. Each device may store your payment information differently, so even if you can’t find it on one device you may find it on another.

Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Access Settings: In your browser, navigate to the settings or preferences section.
2. Find Payment Information: Look for a section labeled “Payment methods” or “Saved credit cards.”
3. Identify Your EBT Card: Within this section, you may find your EBT card listed among saved payment methods.

You will usually need to enter your password or other verification details in order to reveal the full EBT card number.

Retailer Payment History

Even if your browser didn’t save your EBT card number, the online stores you ordered from may have stored that information for future purchases. Although they will usually only show you the last few digits of your EBT card number, they will usually allow you to make a purchase with that payment method. That means you can order groceries even without your EBT card in hand!

You can check to see if your EBT payment information is stored by online retailers like these:

• Amazon
• DoorDash
• Instacart
• Walmart

Once you log into the website or app, you will need to click into the payment methods tab in order to see what card numbers are stored there.

Check Your Receipts

In some cases, your full 16-digit or partial EBT card number may be printed on your receipts or included in your digital receipts. This is not a common practice anymore due to security concerns. However, if you are desperate to find your EBT card number without your EBT card in hand, it’s worth a shot.

• Collect Paper Receipts: Start by gathering any recent paper receipts you have from transactions where you used your EBT card.
• Access Digital Receipts: For digital receipts, check your email inbox or retailer apps where you’ve made online purchases with your EBT card.
• Look for the Number: Scan the receipts for any mention of an EBT card number. It’s often located near the bottom or in a summary section of the receipt.
• Identify Partial Numbers: Note that while the full 16-digit number may not be present, a partial number could still be useful.

Remember that finding a partial EBT card number may still be helpful. If each of the strategies we reviewed reveal a different portion of your card number, you may be able to piece it together!

Important Warning

Some websites claim they can recover your EBT card number in exchange for payment. This is a scam! Avoid those websites. Contact your state’s official EBT customer service for free assistance instead.

Here are some ways to protect yourself:

1. Use Official Resources: Always use official channels to recover your EBT card number. You can find official contact information on your state government’s website or through the USDA’s official site.
2. Ignore Unsolicited Offers: Be wary of unsolicited emails, calls, or messages offering EBT assistance for a fee. Scammers often use these methods to prey on those in need.
3. Do Not Share Personal Information: Never share your personal details, such as your Social Security number, EBT PIN, or bank information, with unverified sources. Official EBT representatives will never ask for your PIN.
4. Report Scams: If you encounter a scam, report it to your state’s EBT customer service and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Reporting can help prevent others from falling victim.

With EBT thefts on the rise, it’s important to keep your EBT card number secure. Some users have found it helpful to take a picture of the card or store the written number with other important documents (like birth certificates), but that does put your information at risk if you are hacked or if your information is stolen. Either way, those steps need to be taken before the card is lost or it isn’t much help anyway if you don’t have access to your EBT card right now.

How to Order a Replacement Card

If your card has been lost or stolen, it’s not enough to find your EBT card number. You also need to report your card as lost or stolen so that you can protect your balance and future deposits.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Call Customer Service: Locate your state’s EBT customer service number. This can usually be found on your state government’s EBT information website or through the USDA’s SNAP contact page.
• Inform Them of the Theft: When you get in touch, report that your card has been stolen. The quicker you report, the sooner your card can be deactivated to prevent unauthorized use.
• Provide Necessary Information: Be ready to confirm your identity for security purposes. This may include your full name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and possibly answers to security questions you set up previously.
• Request a Replacement: Once your identity is confirmed and the stolen card is deactivated, request a replacement card.
• Ask About Emergency Benefits: If you need immediate access to your benefits, ask if temporary emergency benefits are available or if there’s a way to expedite your replacement card. Some areas may offer same-day replacement if you visit the EBT facility in person to pick it up!

When the new card arrives, you’ll need to activate it. Make sure to choose a different PIN for maximum security.

Relief Recap

There are several ways that you can find your EBT card number without your EBT card on hand. Whether you call your state’s customer service line or search your saved payment methods, these tactics can help you gain access to your benefits when you need them most. For even more ways to stretch your EBT benefits, explore our list of 1,000+ EBT discounts as well!

Nicole Thelin

Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.