Maryland EBT Card Balance

Your EBT card works like a debit card at any USDA-authorized retailer nationwide — major grocery chains and big-box stores such as Walmart, Target, Kroger, Costco, Sam's Club, Aldi, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and most local and regional supermarkets, plus many convenience stores and farmers markets. A growing number of retailers, including Walmart.com, Amazon, DoorDash, and Uber Eats, also accept SNAP EBT for online grocery orders in many areas, though delivery and service fees usually can't be paid with benefits.

SNAP benefits cover food and food-producing seeds or plants, but not hot prepared foods, alcohol, tobacco, or non-food items — some states also restrict specific items like soda or candy, noted below if it applies to Maryland.

Maryland operates a SNAP Restaurant Meals Program. Eligible elderly, disabled, or homeless SNAP participants (and their spouses) can use their EBT card to buy prepared meals at participating restaurants statewide.

Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Administration — Restaurant Meals Program

The base federal SNAP rule limits eligibility to households with gross income at or below 130% of the federal poverty level. Maryland uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) to extend that limit to 200% of the federal poverty level for most households.

This higher threshold means more working families and individuals in Maryland, including many with income just above the standard cutoff, can qualify for food assistance. BBCE also generally eliminates a separate asset test, so a bit of savings or a reliable car typically won't disqualify an otherwise eligible household.