Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)
has become a mandatory method for the distribution of
cash benefits and food stamps. Almost all supermarkets
and urban retailers have signed up to accept EBT cards
as a form of payment. In
order for a merchant to accept EBT, they must have
an approved FNS / FCS number from their state agriculture
department and a choice of either an internal or external
pin-pad for their credit card terminal. EBT transactions
are switched through the Quest debit network and cost
merchants a minimal transaction fee for processing.
