There’s a ton of EBT information out there, and keeping track of it all can be overwhelming. Our goal at Fresh EBT is to make it easier to manage your EBT benefits, so we’re breaking down all the basics in one handy guide.
If you have a question about your specific case, you should contact your caseworker. (We aren’t the government and don’t have information about your case.) If you have a general question that we haven’t answered here, let us know.
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The Utah Horizon Card is Utah’s EBT card.
EBT = electronic benefits transfer.
EBT card = a card that looks and works like a debit or credit card but is loaded with food stamps and/or cash benefits. You can use it at stores that accept EBT.
You’ll get the Utah Horizon Card once you’re approved for benefits.
Utah’s EBT customer service number is 1-800-997-4444.
If you’d rather apply in person, call your local office or the Utah SNAP hotline (1-866-526-3663) to find out how.
For most Utah households without elderly (60+) or disabled people, that period is 6 months. For most Utah households with elderly (60+) or disabled people, that period is 12 months.
You’ll get a letter in the mail when it’s time to reapply. To be safe, you could also put a note in your calendar or wherever you keep important reminders.
To find out the easiest way to renew in your county, call your caseworker, local office, or the Utah SNAP hotline: 1-866-526-3663.
Most households only have to report these changes twice a year (at the halfway point and when you reapply):
- When someone moves in or out of your household.
- Financial changes like income, rent, savings, or child support.
Most households should report these 2 changes no more than 10 days after they happen:
- When your household income goes over the monthly income limit. This could be because someone starts making more money or someone with income moves in.
- When an adult without a disability or a child (what the government calls an ABAWD) who was working or training 20 hours/week starts working or training less.
If you are moving, you should report your new address ASAP to make sure you don’t miss any important letters.
You can report changes online with a myCase account.
If you can’t find your EBT card, call the Utah EBT hotline as soon as you can: 1-800-997-4444.
If someone manages to use your card, you may not be able to get those benefits back, so make sure you call right away!
You can use food stamps to buy groceries, snacks, and seeds or plants that will produce food.
You can’t use food stamps to buy alcohol, tobacco products, vitamins, live animals, prepared foods, or any non-food household items.
WIC food packages typically include cereal, juice, eggs, milk, peanut butter, dried and canned beans, tofu, fruits and vegetables, and whole-wheat bread. WIC packages also include canned fish and cheese for breastfeeding moms, and baby food for babies.
Once your child is born, your household size will increase. More household members = more benefits.
While you are pregnant, you can’t get more food stamps, but you can apply for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits.
WIC provides food and resources for pregnant women, new parents, and children up to 5 years old.
If you have a child who’s 18 or younger, you may qualify for cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
TANF provides monthly cash assistance to help families with children get by during tough times.