What is the difference between EBT and SNAP?
SNAP is the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (commonly called ‘food stamps’).
These days there are credit card looking “EBT” (electronic benefit transfer) cards given to beneficiaries of the program. That way instead of the shame of having the ‘stamps’ like the old days and so the stamps wouldn’t become a currency, the debit card requires the user to present their ID and it’s run like a credit card.
EBT is the common reference now for ‘food stamps’ with benefits being from 100-700 a month depending on the number of dependents in the family and income (if any).
So the money will stop and shoppers will be told, as they were the past few days, “The system is down.” Or a sign at the door, “We no longer accept food stamps.”
This is if the CURRENT state of affairs continues. The ‘shutdown’ is being made more severe to cause more pressure on the GOP to cave. Parks and monuments weren’t enough.
Bttt
All EBT stands for is Electronic Banking Card.
So yes, one set up as a SNAP card may only purchase food or seeds with same. But those serving as unemployment benefits for instance may work like ATM/debit cards - same as cash with no restrictions.