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Q: I’m a new retailer and would like to sign up to accept food stamp benefits via EBT. Who do I call?
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A: Call the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) (877) 823-4369 to receive an application.
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Q: I received authorization from FNS to accept EBT, what do I do now?
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A: The State’s vendor, J.P. Morgan EFS, will contact you about installing the state-owned EBT equipment. If you don’t hear
from them in a couple of weeks, you can call them at (800) 350-8533.
If you have your own point-of-sale (POS) equipment that includes a personal identification number (PIN) pad, contact your third
party processor and ask them to add the California EBT bank identification number (BIN). We recommend you include the BIN for all
other states to enable you to process transaction for cardholders from other states.
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Q: Do I have to buy special equipment to be able to participate in EBT?
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A: No. You can choose to use your existing point-of-sale (POS) equipment as long as it has a personal identification number (PIN)
pad. If you do not have this type of equipment, the State does provide equipment free of charge to FNS
authorized retailers; however this equipment processes EBT transactions only.
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Q: If I already have debit/credit equipment, can it do EBT also?
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A: As long as your equipment has a PIN pad, it can process EBT transactions. Just call your third party
processor and ask them to add the California EBT BIN. We recommend you
include the BIN for all other states to enable you to process transactions for cardholders from other states.
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Q: I’m a retailer authorized to accept food stamp benefits and already processing food
stamp transactions. How do I get the free state-owned EBT equipment?
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A: In order to qualify, you must transact at least $100 per month in food stamp redemption. If you
do qualify or you are not sure, call the J.P. Morgan EFS Retailer Support line (800) 350-8533 to request EBT-only
equipment paperwork.
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Q: Is there a fee to access food stamp benefits?
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A: A retailer incurs no fee using the state-owned EBT equipment.
Retailers using their own equipment will be charged a fee by their third party processor.
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Q: Can a retailer charge a fee for food stamp transactions?
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A: No. Federal regulations prohibit any food stamp program participating retailer from charging a fee for food stamp benefits.
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Q: I’m a retailer that does not sell food, but would like to add EBT cash. How do I do that?
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A: The State does not provide equipment for EBT cash only transactions. However, you can add EBT cash to your existing
debit/credit equipment as long as your equipment has a PIN pad. Just call your third party processor and ask them to add
the California EBT BIN. We also recommend that you add the BINs for the other states as
the cardholders tend to be very mobile.
If you do not have debit/credit equipment, you can call the J.P. Morgan EFS Retailer Support line (800) 350-8533 to inquire about
leasing equipment.
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Q: As a cash-only EBT retailer, can I charge a fee?
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A: Surcharges are allowed for EBT cash. If you choose to surcharge, you should treat your EBT customers the same as your
debit customers. However, many retailers choose not to surcharge EBT customers.
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Q: What if the state-owned equipment is not working?
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A: Call the J.P. Morgan EFS Retailer Help Line (the number is on the terminal) (866) 312-5971.
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Q: What if I have problems processing an EBT transaction on my commercial (not state-owned) equipment?
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A: Contact your third party processor.
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Q: I am a farmer’s market, produce stand or open-air market and would like to add EBT. Who do I call?
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A: Call EBT Operations for referral to a State Retail/Benefit Access Specialist (916) 263-6600.
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Q: Must an EBT card be present for a key-entered Food Stamp transaction?
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A: Yes, the EBT card must be present for key-entered transactions. It is incumbent upon the food retailer to
request service for any malfunctioning equipment through their commercial service provider or through the State agency
and/or its EBT contractor. Likewise, Food Stamp households need to obtain a replacement card if it is damaged.
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