About Maryland EBT

The Maryland Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program is administered by the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) and delivers food assistance benefits to more than 700,000 Maryland residents each month through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Our Mission

The Maryland Department of Human Services empowers Marylanders by connecting them to resources that promote independence, dignity, and economic stability. Through SNAP and EBT, we help families put nutritious food on the table while they work toward long-term self-sufficiency.

The EBT Card

EBT is the system used to deliver SNAP benefits. Instead of paper food stamps, recipients use a magnetic-stripe debit card — soon transitioning to a more secure EMV chip card — at authorized retailers across the country. Benefits are loaded onto the card each month and deducted at checkout.

Programs We Administer

• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): Monthly food benefits for low-income households.
• TCA (Temporary Cash Assistance): Cash benefits for families with children.
• WIC partnership: Coordination with the Women, Infants, and Children program.
• Emergency Assistance: Short-term help for households facing crisis.

Program History

Maryland transitioned from paper food stamps to EBT in the late 1990s, joining a nationwide modernization of the food assistance program. In 2026, Maryland is moving to a new EBT vendor (Fidelity Information Services) and a new cardholder portal called ebtEdge — a major step toward more secure, fraud-resistant benefits delivery.

Commitment to Security

The new EMV chip-and-tap EBT cards being rolled out across Maryland in 2026 use the same security technology as commercial credit and debit cards, dramatically reducing skimming and benefit theft. DHS continues to work with federal partners and law enforcement to protect cardholders from fraud.