How to Apply for SNAP Benefits in North Dakota

Applying for SNAP in North Dakota is straightforward. You can submit your application online, in person at a local office, or by mail.

Online Application

The fastest way to apply is through the state's online portal. This method allows you to submit your application and upload required documents from home, saving you a trip to an office.

• Visit the North Dakota application portal.

• Create an account or log in to start a new application.

• Complete all sections with your household information and submit.

In-Person Application

If you prefer face-to-face assistance, you can apply in person. Staff at your local Human Service Zone office can help you complete the form and answer any questions you may have about the process.

• Locate your county's Human Service Zone office.

• Visit the office to pick up and fill out an application form.

• Submit the completed form to the office staff.

Mail-In Application

You can also apply by mail. This option is useful if you lack reliable internet access or cannot easily visit an office. Simply download, print, and complete the application form at your convenience.

• Download the application form from the ND HHS website.

• Print and fill out the form completely.

• Mail it to your local Human Service Zone office.

How to Contact EBT Customer Service in North Dakota

• For application assistance, contact the Great Plains Food Bank SNAP Outreach at 855-405-0000.

• While most offices operate weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, you should call to confirm the current hours as they are not listed online.

See North Dakota EBT Customer Service Contacts

How to Use Your SNAP Benefits in North Dakota

Once you're approved for SNAP, you'll want to understand how to use your benefits, including what you can buy and where.

What is an EBT Card and How to Use it?

Your SNAP benefits are loaded onto an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card each month. Think of it like a debit card, but specifically for your food assistance funds. It's the tool you'll use to purchase groceries at authorized stores.

Using your EBT card is simple. At checkout, you'll swipe or insert your card into the point-of-sale (POS) machine and enter your Personal Identification Number (PIN). The process is nearly identical to using a regular debit card for a purchase.

What Can You Buy with SNAP Benefits?

Your SNAP benefits are meant for purchasing staple food items that you can prepare at home. This helps ensure your family has access to nutritious meals. Think of it as your budget for groceries that form the foundation of a healthy diet.

• Fruits and vegetables

• Meat, poultry, and fish

• Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt

• Breads and cereals

• Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages

• Seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat

However, there are some restrictions. Your EBT card cannot be used for non-food items, prepared hot meals, or certain other products. It's important to separate these items at checkout to avoid any issues when paying for your groceries.

• Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco

• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements

• Live animals (exceptions apply for some seafood)

• Foods that are hot at the point of sale

• Non-food items like pet foods, cleaning supplies, and cosmetics

How to Manage Your SNAP Benefits

Managing your SNAP benefits helps you budget effectively and make your food assistance last throughout the entire month.

How to Check Your EBT Balance

Knowing your balance is the first step to managing your monthly food budget. You can check your balance anytime, free of charge.

One way is to call the North Dakota EBT customer service line at 1-800-997-8888. You can also check your balance online through the ebtEDGE portal.

You can also use the Benny app to see your real-time EBT balance for both SNAP and cash benefits right on your phone.

EBT Deposit Schedule in North Dakota

In North Dakota, benefits are sent out from the 1st to the 4th of every month. Your specific deposit date is based on the last digit of your Social Security Number.

Once your application is approved, your benefits will be deposited on the same day each month. This consistency helps you plan your shopping trips ahead of time.

Renewing Your SNAP Benefits

SNAP benefits are not permanent. You must periodically renew your eligibility to continue receiving assistance, usually every six to 12 months.

Your local Human Service Zone office will mail you a renewal packet before your certification period ends. Complete and return it by the deadline to avoid a gap in benefits.

EBT Deposit Schedule in North Dakota

North Dakota simplifies your budgeting by depositing SNAP benefits on the 1st of every month. Unlike in other states, the payment date is the same for everyone, so there is no complex schedule to track.

You can confirm your payment date in our North Dakota deposit schedule.

See North Dakota EBT deposit schedule 2026

How to Check Your EBT Card Balance

You have several free ways to check your EBT balance. Log into the online cardholder portal, call the number on your card, or check your last store receipt. The Benny app also shows your balance.

Our guide details each method for checking your balance.

Check Your North Dakota EBT Balance

Manage your SNAP Benefits and Get Cashback with Benny

Benny is a free app that helps you track your EBT balance in real-time and get cash back on eligible purchases at stores like Target, Walmart, and others.

To get started, link your EBT card to the app. After you make a purchase, scan your receipt with Benny and receive cashback on SNAP-eligible items.

Download Benny to take control of your spending and get more out of your EBT benefits.