Your EBT case number — also called your SNAP case number or food stamp case number — is a unique ID your state assigns to your household when you are approved for benefits. You need it to check your application status, speak with a caseworker, complete recertification, and access your state’s online benefits portal.
If you cannot find your EBT case number, this guide covers every place it is stored and how to retrieve it if you have lost all your documents.
What Is an EBT Case Number?
Your EBT case number identifies your SNAP household in your state’s benefits system. It is different from your EBT card number — the 16-digit number on the front of your card. The case number is assigned to your household file, while the card number is assigned to the physical card.
You may see it labeled differently depending on your state:
- Case number
- SNAP case number
- Food stamp case number
- Client ID
- Case ID
- EDG number (Texas calls it Eligibility Determination Group number)
- BIN number (Benefit Identification Number — used in some states)
Regardless of what your state calls it, it serves the same purpose — it is your household’s unique identifier in the benefits system.
Where to Find Your EBT Case Number
1. Your Approval Letter
The fastest place to find your SNAP case number is your original approval letter. When your SNAP application was approved, your state mailed a written notice confirming your eligibility, benefit amount, and deposit date. Your case number is printed at the top of this letter — often labeled “Case Number,” “Client ID,” or simply “Case #.”
If you kept your approval letter, check the top header of the document. It is typically one of the first pieces of information listed.
2. Any SNAP Notice or Letter From Your State
Every piece of official correspondence from your state SNAP agency — recertification notices, benefit change notices, denial letters, interview scheduling letters — includes your case number in the header. Check your mail or any documents you have received from your state benefits office.
3. Your State’s Online Benefits Portal
If you have an online account with your state’s benefits portal, your case number is visible on your account dashboard or profile page. Log in and look for:
- “My Case”
- “Case Information”
- “Account Details”
- “Case Number” in the header or sidebar
This is the easiest method if you have already set up your online account. States with online portals include BenefitsCal (California), YourTexasBenefits (Texas), MyACCESS (Florida), myBenefits (New York), MI Bridges (Michigan), and all others listed in our food stamp recertification article.
4. Your EBT Card’s Automated Phone Line
Call the customer service number on the back of your EBT card. After entering your card number and PIN for identity verification, ask the representative to provide your case number. The EBT card line may or may not have access to your full case number depending on your state — if they cannot provide it, they will direct you to the SNAP agency line.
5. Call Your State SNAP Office Directly
Call your state’s SNAP agency hotline and ask a representative to look up your case number. You will need to verify your identity with:
- Your full name
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Current address
Once verified, the representative can provide your case number over the phone. Find your state’s SNAP phone number in our EBT phone number directory — every state’s number is listed.
6. Visit Your Local SNAP Office In Person
Bring a photo ID and any documents you have — your EBT card, a recent utility bill, or any prior SNAP notice — and ask a caseworker to look up your case number. In-person visits are the most reliable method when you have no documents and need the case number urgently.
What Your EBT Case Number Looks Like
Case numbers vary in format by state but are typically 6 to 12 digits long. Some states use letters combined with numbers. Examples of typical formats:
| State | Format Example |
|---|---|
| California | 10-digit numeric (e.g., 1234567890) |
| Texas | 9-digit numeric EDG number |
| Florida | 10-digit numeric |
| New York | 9 to 11-digit numeric |
| Illinois | 9-digit numeric |
| Georgia | 7 to 9-digit numeric |
| Most other states | 7 to 12-digit numeric |
Your state’s format is consistent — every case number in your state will have the same number of digits.
When You Need Your EBT Case Number
Knowing where to find your food stamp case number matters most in these situations:
Checking your application status. When you call your state SNAP hotline to ask about a pending application, having your case number ready lets the representative pull up your file instantly instead of searching by name.
Completing recertification online. Most state portals require your case number to register for an online account or to link your case to an existing account. Without it, you may not be able to access the online renewal option.
Reporting changes. When you call to report a change in income, household size, or address, giving your case number gets you to the right caseworker faster.
Appealing a denial or benefit reduction. Fair hearing requests and appeal letters must include your case number to be properly filed and tracked.
Accessing the EBT automated phone system. Some states use your case number — rather than your card number — as the verification input on their EBT automated lines.
What to Do If You Cannot Find Your Case Number
If you have checked all the sources above and still cannot locate your SNAP case number, call your state’s SNAP agency hotline. As long as you can verify your identity — name, date of birth, Social Security number, and address — a representative can look up your case number in the system.
You do not need your case number to call for help finding it. Your Social Security number is sufficient to locate your file.
Is Your Case Number the Same as Your EBT Card Number?
No. These are two completely different numbers:
| Number | What It Is | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| EBT card number | 16-digit number on the front of your card | Front of your physical EBT card |
| Case number / SNAP case number | 7–12 digit household ID | Approval letter, state portal, SNAP office |
Your card number identifies the physical card. Your case number identifies your household’s benefits file. You need both at different times — the card number for balance checks and PIN resets, the case number for caseworker calls and portal access.
FAQs
What is my EBT case number?
Your EBT case number is a unique ID assigned to your SNAP household by your state when you were approved for benefits. It is printed on your approval letter and visible in your state’s online benefits portal. It is different from your 16-digit EBT card number.
Where can I find my SNAP case number?
Check your original SNAP approval letter, any recertification or benefit change notice from your state, your state’s online benefits portal under account or case details, or call your state SNAP office and verify your identity to have it looked up.
Is my case number on my EBT card?
No. Your EBT card displays your card number (16 digits on the front) but not your case number. Your case number is in your paperwork — approval letter, SNAP notices — or available through your state’s online portal or by calling your SNAP office.
What if I lost all my SNAP documents and cannot find my case number?
Call your state’s SNAP agency hotline and verify your identity with your full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. A representative can look up your case number in the system without any documents. Find your state’s number in our food stamps phone number directory.
Do I need my case number to check my EBT balance?
Usually no. Balance checks through the automated EBT phone line use your 16-digit card number and PIN — not your case number. However, some states use the case number as an alternative verification input on their phone systems.
Is my SNAP case number the same in every state?
No. If you move to a new state and reapply for SNAP, you are assigned a new case number in the new state. Your old state’s case number does not transfer. Each state has its own numbering system.
Summary
Your EBT case number — also called your SNAP case number or food stamp case number — is on your approval letter, in your state’s online benefits portal, and available from your state SNAP office if you call and verify your identity. It is not the same as your 16-digit EBT card number.
Keep your case number written down somewhere accessible — it saves time every time you need to call your caseworker or log into your state’s benefits portal. Use our SNAP benefit calculator to estimate your monthly amount, or see our full EBT card overview for everything about managing your benefits.
Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Administration — SNAP. Information reviewed for accuracy [year].