What is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)?
Electronic Benefit Transfer Card
SNAP participants receive their benefit amount every month on their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, also known as the Colorado Quest Card, which looks and functions like a debit card.
Set up your EBT card
You will need to set up a 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) before you use your card. Your PIN is a unique number that keeps the benefits on your card secure. 
To set up your card, go to ebtEDGE mobile app or the Cardholder Portal and enter your 16-digit card number. You can also call Customer Service at 1.888.328.2656 (1.800.659.2656 – TTY) to set up your PIN. Select a 4-digit PIN that won’t be easy for others to guess. Birth years, 1234, 1111, etc. are examples of unsafe PINs because they are easy to guess.
Using your EBT card at brick-and-mortar stores
SNAP participants can use the card in participating stores, in the same way they’d use a debit card. If checking-out in person, you will be required to swipe your card, enter your four-digit PIN, and press OK or ENTER. The receipt will show you the remaining balance in your account.
Using your benefits online
You can also use your SNAP benefits at participating online stores, by following retailer website instructions. Delivery fees and other associated charges cannot be paid for with SNAP benefits, so you may need to add additional payment information if you are requesting delivery.
How to check my balance and protect my card
Your can keep track of your account balance by checking your receipts or by using the ebtEDGE mobile app, Cardholder Portal, or calling EBT Customer Service at 1.888.328.2656 (1.800.659.2656 – TTY).You can also use the ebtEDGE mobile app, Cardholder Portal, and Customer Service line to check your transaction history, and change your PIN.
It is a good idea to regularly check your balance and transaction history. Like debit cards, EBT cards can be vulnerable to different forms of electronic theft. While the burden of prevention should not be on SNAP participants, you can take some measures to protect your benefits by checking your transactions and changing your PIN regularly.
If you’d like to learn more about protecting your card from electronic theft, click here.
Learn what you can buy with SNAP benefits here.
How can I maximize my benefits?
While SNAP benefits are meant to supplement a household’s grocery budget, high food prices and cost of living often mean that current benefit amounts do not adequately meet household needs. When working with a limited budget, SNAP households may struggle to purchase high quality fresh foods.
The Double Up Food Bucks program helps SNAP households access fresh nutritious foods by providing incentives for the purchase of fruits and vegetables with SNAP benefits. When you use your SNAP at farmers markets or grocers that participate in Double Up Food Bucks, the program will match what you spend with up to $20 a day to purchase additional produce or provide you produce discounts. If you spend $20 of SNAP at a participating farmers market, for example, you could receive a voucher for $20 through Double Up Food Bucks, to use right away or later on more fruits and vegetables.
- Click here to learn more about maximizing your benefits through fruit and vegetable incentives.
- To learn more about what Hunger Free Colorado is doing to ensure SNAP benefits meet households’ needs, click here.
Additional Resources
SNAP participants can access additional resources like free nutrition classes through SNAP Education. Learn more here.
Participation in SNAP may also qualify households for other cost-saving benefits, such as:
- Discounted internet and cell service through the Affordable Connectivity Program
- Free or reduced rates at museums and other cultural landmarks across the State through Museums for All.
Have more questions?
We know SNAP is a complex program and you may have more questions, but we are here to help. If you’d like to learn about how to get SNAP, click here. If you’d like to read more about SNAP basics, click here.
If you have questions about the SNAP application process or how to use your benefits, you can reach out to our hotline at 855-855-4626 during business hours Monday through Thursday.
SNAP qualifies households for other cost-saving benefits, such as discounted internet and cell service through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and reduced rates at museums, zoos and other cultural landmarks across the State through Museums for All.