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EBT Acceptance FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions
About Electronic Benefits Transfer

How long does activation take?

Once you provide your FNS number, we typically activate EBT within 2 to 3 business days.

What is the process of activation of EBT payment processing like?

Host Merchant Services simplifies the process so that adoption for businesses is a breeze:
  • Onboarding help from a dedicated specialist.
  • Free terminal shipped fast after approval.
  • Hands-on training for your staff on EBT best practices.
  • 24×7 support and clear reporting from day one.

If I don’t accept PIN debit now, can I still add EBT?

Yes. If your terminal is from Host Merchant Services, it’s already PIN-debit capable; if not, we’ll send a free, pre-programmed terminal.

Can I take EBT online?

Online EBT is limited and approved on a case-by-case basis under USDA programs; many national retailers support it, but availability varies. Talk to us about your use case.

What are some EBT processing rules?

Here is the checklist for businesses to understand common rules when processing EBT payments:
  • Sell only SNAP-eligible foods for SNAP transactions.
  • No cash refunds on SNAP purchases.
  • Don’t charge sales tax on SNAP-eligible items paid with EBT.
  • Card + PIN required at time of purchase; no delayed/credit EBT transactions.

What if I need more than EBT?

We can bundle credit/debit and other payment types on the same account with interchange-plus pricing and next-day funding.

For more information about EBT payments please contact us.