The Health Care Authority’s mission is: We ensure that New Mexicans attain their highest level of health by providing whole-person, cost-effective, accessible, and high-quality health care and safety-net services.
When you are approved for certain benefits, you will be issued a New Mexico Electronic Benefits Transfer Card (EBT). Your EBT card is used like a bank debit card. Each month your benefit amount will be deposited into your EBT account. If you receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (formerly Food Stamps), you can use your card to purchase qualified food items at any participating grocer. If you are eligible for Cash benefits, you can use your card to withdraw your benefits at ATMs throughout New Mexico or pay for purchases at participating grocers.
Help Desk Phone Numbers
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 1-800-283-4465
EBT Fraud
New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) is aware of SNAP households that are potential victims of EBT fraud.
New Mexico residents who receive SNAP benefits need to be aware and monitor their benefits and if they believe benefits have been stolen due to card skimming, cloning or phishing should contact HSD. Benefits dating back to October 2022 can be replaced. SNAP customers must contact HSD 30 days from the day they suspect theft of their benefits. For additional questions you may have, refer to the FAQ listed here.
How to use your EBT Card at the grocery store
How to use your EBT Card for cash at an Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
When will I get my EBT card?
If this is your first SNAP or Cash assistance case with the New Mexico Human Services Department, your EBT card will be mailed to you on the first working day after your application is received by the local ISD office. You should receive your EBT card within 7 days of applying. If you do not receive your card, please contact the Customer Service Help Desk at 1-800-283-44651-800-843-8303 How do I get my benefits with the EBT card?
Each month your benefits will automatically be added to your NM EBT account. You will use the same EBT card every month to get your benefits. As you use your card to get cash or buy goods, your account balance will decrease.
When do I get my benefits?
Usually a partial benefit will be available the day after your application is processed. Ongoing benefits are available monthly. SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) are distributed from the first of the month through the twentieth, depending on the last two digits of your Social Security Number. Cash benefits are issued on the first of the month, even if it falls on a weekend or on a holiday. Any benefits you have left over at the end of the month will be carried over to the next month.
Each month your cash benefit will be deposited in your EBT account on the first day of the month. Your SNAP/food benefits will be deposited in your EBT account on the day of the month in the box above that lists the last two digits of the head of the household’s Social Security Number.
Combined Schedule: If you have applied for SNAP/food assistance after the 15th day of any month and are approved for expedited assistance, you will receive your benefits according to the schedule below.
This will be your regular day of the month to receive your future SNAP/food benefit.
Where can I use my EBT card?
You can use your EBT card at hundreds of participating grocers and ATMs (cash machines for Cash benefits only) across the country. You can also use your card wherever you see the Quest logo.
How do I use my EBT card?
After you swipe or insert your EBT card into the Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal at a retail store or an ATM, you must enter your Personal Identification Number (PIN) and follow the instructions.
What should I do if I lose my card?
If your EBT card is lost or stolen, immediately call the 24-hour Fidelity Information Services (FIS) Customer Service Help Desk at 1-800-843-8303 . Your card will be immediately cancelled and a replacement card will be ordered. No one else will be able to use your card once you report it missing. Please verify your current address. If your address is not correct, please call the HSD/EBT Help Desk, Monday through Friday at 1-800-283-44651-800-283-4465 Will I be charged for a replacement card?
What if my card won’t work? Call the 24-hour Fidelity Information Services (FIS) Customer Service Help Desk at 1-800-843-83031-800-283-4465 How do I take care of my card?
What is a Personal Identification Number (PIN)?
A PIN is a four-digit secret number that allows only you to use your EBT card. You must call Customer Service to choose your new or replacement PIN. Never tell your PIN to anyone! If someone knows your PIN, they can use your card to get ALL of your benefits and those benefits will not be replaced or reimbursed.
How do I remember my PIN?
You will be asked to choose four numbers that are easy for you to remember, but hard for someone else to figure out. (Example, your child’s or parent’s birthday). Do not write your number on your EBT card and do not keep it written down in your wallet or purse.
What if my card is taken by the ATM?
If your card is taken by the ATM, contact the 24-hour Fidelity Information Services (FIS) Customer Service Help Desk at 1-800-843-83031-800-843-8303 Can I go to a bank teller and withdraw money or inquire about my EBT account?
No. You can only use the ATM machine or use a cash-back/cash only withdrawal at a POS terminal to withdraw cash and check your balance.
How will I know my account balance?
The easiest way to know your account balance is to keep your receipts. If you don’t have your receipts, you may check your balance on the Internet at www.ebtedge.com and you will be guided through the steps to check your balance. You will need the 16-digit card number from the front of your EBT card. You should always check your account balance before you go to get cash or shop or you can call the 24-hour Fidelity Information Services (FIS) Customer Service Help Desk at 1-800-843-8303 What happens if the POS machine is not working?
If you want to purchase eligible food items with your SNAP benefits, and the POS machine is not working or there is not one at the store, the cashier will fill out a paper form called a food benefit voucher. The cashier will write in your EBT card number and the amount you are spending. DO NOT give the cashier your PIN. The cashier will call to see if you have enough benefits in your SNAP benefit (ONLY) account to buy the food. If there is enough in your SNAP benefit account, you will be asked to sign the voucher and will be given a copy of it. It is very important to keep this copy so you can subtract what you spent from the balance shown on your last EBT receipt. This will give you the current amount on your account. The store cannot process a manual voucher for Cash benefits.
Can I withdraw coins or cash denominations less than $5.00 from the ATM?
No. The smallest cash denomination that will be dispensed from a bank machine is usually a $10 or $20 dollar bill. The ATM menu will inform you of the cash denominations. If I have less than $10.00 worth of cash on my EBT card, how will I get it out? You can make a Point-of-Sale purchase or cash-back transaction at participating stores to get these funds.
Are there any transaction fees or surcharges for using my EBT card?
There is never a transaction fee for using your SNAP benefits to buy food with your EBT card. There is also never a transaction fee for using your Cash benefits to buy food or get cash at a POS machine. At ATMs, a 50-cent transaction fee is automatically taken out of your Cash account each time you withdraw cash. A surcharge is an additional fee charged by the owner of an ATM or POS machine for using that machine to make cash withdrawal. Surcharges, if any, for getting cash will also be taken from your account automatically. If you do not want to pay the surcharge, simply cancel your transaction and go to another ATM or POS location that does not charge a surcharge.
No Fees
Fees
Can I deposit money into my EBT account?
No. You may only withdraw money from your Cash account.
What if I plan to move or change my address?
In order to be eligible for benefits, you must contact at 1-800-283-4465 When do I call the HSD Customer Service at 1-800-283-4465?