Maryland is home to nearly 800,000 SNAP recipients spread across a uniquely varied geography — dense urban neighborhoods in Baltimore, sprawling DC suburbs in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, and rural communities on the Eastern Shore and in Western Maryland.
Whether you’re shopping at a Giant Food or a small corner market in Dundalk, keeping tabs on your Maryland Independence Card balance is the fastest way to avoid a surprise decline at the register.
This guide walks you through every method to check your balance, explains Maryland’s name-based deposit schedule, and tells you exactly what to do when something goes wrong.
Ways to Check Your Maryland EBT Balance
Four methods — all free, all available any time of day:
- Phone: Call 1-800-997-2222 (24/7 automated system)
- Online: Log in at ConnectEBT (connectebt.com)
- App: Download the ebtEDGE app (iOS or Android)
- Receipt: Your remaining balance prints at the bottom of every SNAP purchase receipt
For most people the phone line is the quickest option — no account, no password, just your card number. All state EBT hotline numbers are listed at EBT Phone Numbers for All States.
Check Your Maryland EBT Balance by Phone
Maryland EBT Customer Service: 1-800-997-2222 TTY (hearing impaired): 1-800-735-2258
The line runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays. It’s free from any phone.
Step-by-step:
- Dial 1-800-997-2222
- Select your language — options include English, Spanish, French, and Korean; press 0 to reach a live interpreter in 200+ languages
- Enter your 16-digit EBT card number followed by the # key
- Your current SNAP balance is read back to you
The same line handles PIN resets, transaction history, lost or stolen card reports, and replacement card requests.
Tip: Save 1-800-997-2222 in your contacts right now. You’ll always have it when you need a quick balance check mid-shop.
Check Your Maryland EBT Balance Online
Website: connectebt.com
Maryland uses the ConnectEBT portal for online balance access — different from the ebtEDGE site used by some other states.
How to log in:
- Go to connectebt.com and choose Maryland from the drop-down menu
- Click “Login” — or “Register” if it’s your first visit
- New users enter their 16-digit card number to set up an account
- Once inside, the Account Summary page displays your current SNAP and cash benefit balances side by side
Security note: Type connectebt.com directly into your browser. Never follow links from unknown texts or emails claiming to be from the state.
Check Your Maryland EBT Balance on the ebtEDGE App
The ebtEDGE app works for Maryland cardholders and puts your balance and transaction history one tap away.
Download:
- iPhone: Search “ebtEDGE” in the Apple App Store
- Android: Search “ebtEDGE” in the Google Play Store
What you can do in the app:
- View current SNAP and cash balances in real time
- Browse your full transaction history
- Turn on low-balance and deposit notifications
- Change your PIN
- Report a lost or stolen Independence Card
- Request a replacement card
Also works in Maryland — Fresh EBT by Propel: Free, secure, and used by millions of SNAP households nationwide. Download only from official app stores.
Check Your Maryland EBT Balance on a Store Receipt
Every SNAP purchase automatically prints your remaining balance at the bottom of the receipt. No phone or app required — just look at the bottom of your slip. You can also ask any cashier at a SNAP-authorized store for a balance inquiry without making a purchase. Find authorized stores near you with the SNAP Retailer Locator.
Check Your Maryland EBT Balance at an ATM
At ATMs displaying the Quest logo, insert your Independence Card, enter your PIN, and select “Balance Inquiry.” Keep in mind: ATMs show your cash benefit (TANF) balance only — SNAP food benefits do not appear. Fees vary by machine, and skimming devices are an active concern in Maryland. For routine balance checks, the phone line or app is safer.
Maryland EBT Balance — Quick Reference
| Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Phone | 1-800-997-2222 · TTY: 1-800-735-2258 · 24/7 · Free |
| Online | connectebt.com · Login or Register |
| App | ebtEDGE (iOS & Android) · Free |
| Store receipt | Prints automatically after every SNAP purchase |
| ATM | Quest-logo ATMs · Cash benefits only · Fees may apply |
Maryland-Specific EBT Details Worth Knowing
Who runs the program: Maryland SNAP is administered by the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), Family Investment Administration (FIA). Not on SNAP yet? Check your eligibility at the Maryland SNAP eligibility page or estimate your household’s range using the SNAP income limits tool. Ready to apply? The full steps are at How to Apply for SNAP Benefits in Maryland.
Your card is called the Independence Card: Maryland gives its EBT card a distinct name — the Maryland Independence Card. It works like a debit card, is accepted at any SNAP-authorized retailer across the US, and carries both SNAP food benefits and any cash assistance you receive.
Deposit schedule — based on your last name: Unlike many states that use a case number, Maryland loads benefits between the 4th and 23rd of each month based on the first three letters of your last name. Benefits are available by 5 AM on your scheduled date. If you’re unsure of your exact date, log into myMDTHINK or call 1-800-997-2222. If funds don’t arrive on time, see Why Didn’t My SNAP Benefits Reload? for the most common explanations.
myMDTHINK — the state’s benefits hub: Maryland’s myMDTHINK portal (mymdthink.maryland.gov) is separate from ConnectEBT. Use it to apply for SNAP, check your application or case status, upload renewal documents, and update household information all in one place.
Maryland’s higher income limit: Maryland uses a gross income threshold of 200% of the Federal Poverty Level — more generous than the federal baseline — so more households may qualify than you’d expect. Use the SNAP income limits guide to see where your household falls.
Stolen benefit reimbursement: If your EBT benefits were stolen through skimming or phishing on or after October 2022, you may be eligible for reimbursement from the state. Call 1-800-997-2222 to cancel and replace your card, then file a claim at dhs.maryland.gov/ebt-reimbursement. Maryland Hunger Solutions (1-866-821-5552) offers free help completing the form.
New SNAP work requirements starting 2026: Under H.R. 1 signed in 2025, up to 80,000 more Marylanders will be required to work, volunteer, or participate in job training for at least 80 hours per month. These requirements will be reviewed at your next recertification. Call 1-800-332-6347 if you have questions about whether the new rules apply to you.
EBT discounts in Maryland: Your Independence Card may unlock reduced or free admission at museums, zoos, aquariums, and theme parks, plus savings at select retailers. The Maryland EBT discounts guide has the full rundown.
Inactivity rule: Unused SNAP benefits stay on your card and roll over each month, but they expire after 274 days (about 9 months) of zero card activity. One small purchase every few months keeps your account in good standing.
When Your Maryland EBT Balance Doesn’t Add Up
Your balance is lower than expected
Log into ConnectEBT or open the ebtEDGE app and go through your recent transactions one by one. If you see a charge you didn’t make, call 1-800-997-2222 immediately. Have your card number ready. Disputes must typically be filed within 90 days of the suspicious transaction — acting quickly gives you the best shot at recovery. For more on common causes, visit Why Didn’t My SNAP Benefits Reload?
Your Independence Card was declined at the store
A few things commonly cause declines — Why Is My EBT Card Not Working Today? covers all of them in detail. The usual suspects:
- Balance too low — Check before you get to the register, not at it
- PIN entered incorrectly — Four wrong attempts in a row locks your card automatically
- Card worn or demagnetized — Keep it away from phones, keys, and magnetic bag clasps
- Terminal problem at the store — Ask the cashier to try manual card entry or switch registers
- Fraud hold or deactivated account — Call 1-800-997-2222 to find out
Your card is lost or stolen
Call 1-800-997-2222 the moment you notice it’s missing — any time of day or night. Your Independence Card will be deactivated immediately and a replacement mailed within 5–7 business days. Your remaining balance transfers to the new card automatically. Ask your local Department of Social Services whether an emergency pickup card is available while you wait. Full instructions at Replacing Your Lost EBT Card and How to Report a Stolen EBT Card in Every State.
Your account went inactive
Call 1-800-997-2222 to reactivate — you’ll need to verify your identity. To prevent it from happening again, aim to make at least one transaction every couple of months.
How to Keep Your Maryland Independence Card Secure
Pick a PIN nobody could guess. Avoid birthdays, “1234,” sequences, or anything you use for other accounts. Rotate it every few months through ConnectEBT, the ebtEDGE app, or by calling 1-800-997-2222.
Lock your card between shopping trips. Takes seconds to do and blocks any use while you’re not actively at a store. Step-by-step at How to Lock Your EBT Card.
Monitor your transactions regularly. The 90-day dispute window is firm. The sooner you spot unauthorized activity, the more likely you are to get it reversed.
Inspect card readers before swiping. EBT skimming is an ongoing problem in Maryland. Before inserting your card at a self-checkout or ATM, check that the card slot doesn’t look loose, oddly thick, or tampered with. When in doubt, pay a cashier directly.
No government agency will ever ask for your PIN. Maryland DHS does not call, text, or email asking for your card number or 4-digit PIN. If someone does, hang up and report it to 1-800-997-2222 immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions — Maryland EBT
What is the phone number to check my Maryland EBT balance?
The Maryland EBT Customer Service number is 1-800-997-2222, available free of charge 24/7. The automated system reads your balance after you enter your 16-digit card number. Hearing-impaired callers can use the TTY line at 1-800-735-2258. For a full list of every state’s hotline, visit EBT Phone Numbers for All States.
What day does Maryland deposit SNAP benefits each month?
Maryland loads benefits between the 4th and 23rd of the month based on the first three letters of your last name — not a case number like many other states. Funds are available by 5 AM on your scheduled date. Check myMDTHINK or call 1-800-997-2222 to confirm your specific date.
What is the Maryland Independence Card?
It’s the official name for Maryland’s EBT card. Approved SNAP and cash assistance recipients receive an Independence Card that works like a debit card at any authorized grocery store in the country. The card number is the same 16-digit number you use to check your balance by phone or online.
Can unused SNAP benefits roll over in Maryland?
Yes. Unused benefits carry over from month to month automatically. They stay on your Independence Card for up to nine months of inactivity (274 days), after which any remaining funds expire. A single purchase in that window resets the clock.
What if my Maryland EBT benefits were stolen?
If your benefits were stolen through skimming or phishing on or after October 2022, Maryland has a reimbursement program. Call 1-800-997-2222 to cancel your card and request a replacement, then file a claim at dhs.maryland.gov/ebt-reimbursement. Contact Maryland Hunger Solutions at 1-866-821-5552 for free help with the claim process.
How do I change my PIN on the Maryland Independence Card?
Call 1-800-997-2222 and select the PIN change option, or update it through connectebt.com or the ebtEDGE app. You’ll verify your identity using your card number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number. Test the new PIN at a store before leaving home.
What if my card is locked after too many wrong PIN attempts?
Four consecutive incorrect PIN entries automatically locks your Independence Card. Call 1-800-997-2222 to reset your PIN. If the card is still locked after the reset, wait 24 hours and try again at a store terminal.
How do I check my SNAP application status in Maryland?
Log into myMDTHINK (mymdthink.maryland.gov) to view the status of a pending application, track required documents, or manage your case. You can also check application status by calling DHS constituent services at 1-800-332-6347.
Am I eligible for Maryland SNAP?
Maryland’s gross income limit is set at 200% of the Federal Poverty Level — higher than the federal floor — so eligibility is broader than in many states. Check the Maryland SNAP eligibility page or use the SNAP income limits tool to estimate your household’s eligibility.
What can I buy with my Maryland Independence Card?
Your card works at any SNAP-authorized grocery store and for eligible items on Amazon. For a complete breakdown of covered and excluded items, see the SNAP-eligible foods guide and Can You Use EBT on Amazon?
Bottom Line
Checking your Maryland EBT balance takes under a minute no matter which method you use. Call 1-800-997-2222 for the fastest answer, or use ConnectEBT and the ebtEDGE app for a full view of your account history. Remember that Maryland loads benefits between the 4th and 23rd based on your last name — not a case number — so confirm your specific date in advance. Visit the Maryland SNAP benefits page for details on how your monthly amount is calculated. And if your Independence Card is ever lost, stolen, or compromised, call 1-800-997-2222 without delay — Replacing Your Lost EBT Card has the full step-by-step.
For broader assistance, reach the national SNAP information line at 1-800-221-5689 or Maryland DHS constituent services at 1-800-332-6347.
Last updated: 2026 · Sources: Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), USDA Food and Nutrition Service, 211 Maryland. Verify current program details at dhs.maryland.gov or benefits.gov.