Montana SNAP/TANF EBT Card

Important Update: EBT System Update

Montana is updating its statewide EBT system May 8-10. To make these updates possible, card services and account updates will be offline for a short time while these changes are made.

During this period, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) participants are encouraged to plan food and cash purchases around the following schedule:

Service Downtime

  • Check EBT Card Balance: Offline from Friday (May 8) at 6:00 p.m. until Sunday morning.
  • Shopping (In-store and Online): Offline from Saturday (May 9) at 10:00 p.m. until Sunday morning.

All services, including the ability to make purchases and check balances, are expected to be back online by mid-morning Sunday, May 10. 

What You Need to Know

  • Keep Your Card: Your current card will continue to work once the update is finished.
  • New Management Tool: Starting May 10, switch to the ConnectEBT website or app to manage your benefits. The old Bnft portal will be retired.
  • No Changes to Benefits: Your eligibility and benefit amounts remain exactly the same.

Need help? If you have any trouble using your card after the morning of Sunday, May 10, please contact the EBT help desk at 1-866-850-1556.

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services distributes Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly referred to as "Food Stamps" benefits and cash assistance from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program using an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) system.

The Montana EBT Card is similar to a debit card. Cardholders can use it to authorize the transfer of money from a government account to a retailer account to pay for products. Stores that accept the Montana EBT Card display a program logo.

Cardholders can access TANF benefits from most automated teller machines (ATMs), participating retailers, and post offices in Montana and across the nation. Food Stamp recipients can use the card to purchase approved food items at retailers anywhere in the nation who are authorized by the USDA Food and Nutrition Services.

 To use the card, cardholders simply swipe it through a point-of-sale device and enter a personal identification number (PIN) to authorize the transaction.

The Department implemented the Montana EBT Card program for SNAP benefits in June 2002. It expanded the program to include TANF benefits in October 2002. TANF recipients have the option of 1) getting their benefits via the Montana EBT Card, 2) getting a state-issued warrant, or 3) having their benefits directly deposited to their bank account.

Montana EBT Cardholder Services

Montana EBT Retailer Services

  • Retailer Online Portal
  • Manual Voucher Authorization, (866) 850-1563
  • Retail Help Desk (for retailers using state equipment only), (866) 850-1563
  • Retailer General Information, (877) 823-4369

Montana EBT Card and SNAP Benefits Resources