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Launching Your EBT Program: A Guide to Understanding LINK, EBT, SNAP, and Food Stamps

This guide helps you establish your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program by clarifying key terms like LINK, EBT, SNAP, and food stamps. Learn about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, and how it operates. Understanding these terminologies is essential for effectively implementing your EBT program and supporting those who rely on these benefits for their nutritional needs.

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Launching Your EBT Program: A Guide to Understanding LINK, EBT, SNAP, and Food Stamps

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  1. Getting your EBT program Up and running
  2. Sorting out the terminology: LINK, EBT, SNAP, and Food Stamps
  3. Sorting out the terminology: LINK, EBT, SNAP, and Food Stamps SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as "food stamps” Administered by the USDA office of Food and Nutrition Services(FNS). Federal program that helps low-income individuals and families buy the food they need for good health. EBT: Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) is an electronic system that allows recipients to access their SNAP benefits using a card similar to a credit card.
  4. Sorting out the terminology: LINK, EBT, SNAP, and Food Stamps
  5. Sorting out the terminology: LINK, EBT, SNAP, and Food Stamps cont.. LINK: The name for the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system used in Illinois to distribute food and cash assistance benefits, including SNAP. The card used to redeem benefits is known as a Link card. Each state has a different name for its EBT system-- for example, Louisiana Purchase, Golden State Advantage (California), Oregon Trail, Lone Star (Texas), or Hoosier Works (Indiana).
  6. Assists People in Transition National Characteristics of SNAP Households 48% of all participants are children $711 is the average gross monthly income per SNAP household 79%of all benefits go to households with children 58% of households with children are headed by single parents Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 2009, USDA FNS
  7. Helps Families Make Healthier Choices SNAP-Eligible Food Purchases Breads and cereals Fruits and vegetables Meats, fish and poultry Dairy products Fruit or Vegetable producing plants/seeds Households CAN use SNAP benefits for: Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco Any nonfood items, such as pet foods, soaps, paper products Vitamins and medicines Food or hot meals that will be eaten on-site or in the store Households CANNOT use SNAP benefits for:
  8. SNAP Benefit $$$ in Billions FY 2011 preliminary numbers
  9. Persons receiving SNAP BenefitsFY 2011 preliminary numbers
  10. Is a LINK Program Feasible for your Market? * Staffing and support LINK/EBT coordinator Works the LINK booth/tent/table Keeps track of receipts, tokens, incentive program Prepares accounting reports
  11. Is a LINK Program Feasible for your Market? Backroom Accounting Processes checks for vendors Pays transaction fees if any Between 2-4 hours work per week
  12. How SNAP/LINK works in the Market Needs a special redemption system Since most farmers/vendors do not have a machine at their stand for processing, a method of exchanging food for payment needs to be in place. Token, Script, or Receipt? Token Paper Receipt
  13. Redemption systemsToken or Paper? Easier for Customers to use, more back end accounting for you. Accounting Keep good accounting of stock – do 3 counts and record! 1st of complete stock. 2nd of Tokens given out. 3rd of tokens coming back from Farmer.
  14. Redemption systems“CHITs” Easier for Market Manager, more work for shopper Be sure to have extra Generic CHITs on hand. Keep all returned CHITs for accounting at end of day. Farmer John 01 $10.00 Apples
  15. Ideas on Improving your existing program? Incentive Programs LINK Up Illinois Double Value Coupon Program(modeled after Wholesome Waves DVCP) helps to increase a SNAP recipients buying power for food at Farmers Markets. This is basically a 2 for 1 program (up to a certain amount)
  16. Ideas on Improving your existing program?Incentive Programs Helps to grow your market by reaching new customers who could not otherwise afford to purchase fresh and wholesome foods.
  17. What did customers buy?SNAP purchases 2011 season a program of Data from 11 of the 20 LINK Up Illinois supported markets.
  18. What did customers buy?DVCP purchases 2011 season a program of Data from 11 of the 20 LINK Up Illinois supported markets.
  19. Basic First Steps Apply to with Food and Nutrition Service http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailers/application-process.htm Online application. Turn around time less then 45 days, faster for Farmers Markets. Determine How to process payments Free EBT only Machine from FNS Need phone line and electricity Voucher Can combine with EBT machine Buy, rent, or get FREE Wireless Machine from third party processer Responsible for processing fees
  20. For help with bringing EBT/LINK to your market contact… Corey Chatman LINK Up Illinois Program Manager Email corey@experimentalstation.org (o) 773-241-6044 (cell) 773-896-4450 Experimental Station 6100 S. Blackstone Chicago Il 60637
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