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Electronic Benefits Transfer

Public assistance programs in the United States use Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) payment cards to issue monthly food and cash benefits to eligible people. EBT cards function like prepaid debit cards that can be used at authorized retailers. Food benefits are issued through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps people with low incomes purchase eligible food items.

Use this information to process EBT SNAP (food benefits) and EBT Cash transactions when the app is in Cloud mode.

Generate a bearer token before sending each request. For more information, see Generating a Bearer Token for Authentication.

Endpoints

Test:

POST https://terminalstest.cybersource.com/v1/cloud/transactions

Production:

POST https://terminals.cybersource.com/v1/cloud/transactions

Required Fields for Electronic Benefits Transfer

serialNumber: Set the value to the serial number of the terminal.
request.type: Set the value to
PaymentRequest
for a sale or to
StandaloneRefundRequest
for a stand-alone credit.
request.merchantReferenceCode: Set the value to a unique, user-defined reference code. The code can consist of up to 50 alphanumeric characters, underscores (_), and dashes (-). Avoid using formatting that resembles a telephone number (XXX-XXX-XXXX) or a Social Security number (XXX-XX-XXXX).
request.amountDetails.amount: Set the value to the transaction amount.
request.amountDetails.currency: Set the value to the currency code.
request.paymentMode: Set the value to
EBT
.
request.ebtDetails.category: Set the value to
FOOD
for EBT SNAP and
CASH
for EBT Cash.

Optional Fields for Electronic Benefits Transfer

request.ebtDetails.isBalanceInquiry: Set the value to
true
for a balance inquiry. The transaction amount must be set to
0
.
request.ebtDetails.isVoucher: Set the value to
true
for a voucher transaction.
request.amountDetails.cashbackAmount: Set the value to the cashback amount for a cashback transaction.

REST Example: Electronic Benefits Transfer SNAP Sale

Request

{
   "serialNumber": "1850000000",
   "request": 
       {
       "type" : "PaymentRequest",
       "merchantReferenceCode" : "82910b8b430a414dbe224e4494545b02",
       "paymentMode" : "EBT",
       "amountDetails" : {
         "amount" : "1.00",
         "currency" : "USD"
       },
       "ebtDetails" : {
         "category" : "FOOD"
       }
    }
}

Response to a Successful Request

{
  "type" : "PaymentResponse",
  "message" : "Payment approved",
  "transactionDetails" : {
    "id" : "bd9c4ddd5bb84aafa42f16f2660f76c7",
    "merchantReferenceCode" : "82910b8b430a414dbe224e4494545b02",
    "submitTimeUtc" : "2025-09-29T09:04:02+0000",
    "captured" : true,
    "amountDetails" : {
      "currency" : "USD",
      "amount" : "1.00",
      "capturedAmount" : "1.00",
      "refundableAmount" : "1.00"
    }
  },
  "processingDetails" : {
    "status" : "APPROVED",
    "verificationMethod" : "PIN",
    "entryMode" : "MAGNETIC_STRIPE",
    "card" : {
      "expirationMonth" : "00",
      "expirationYear" : "00",
      "type" : "EBT",
      "maskedPan" : "507719XXXXXX4720"
    }
  },
  "additionalInformation" : {
    "requestId" : "7591366618376609904603"
  },
  "linkedOperations" : [ ],
  "tipAdjustStatus" : "NOT_ADJUSTABLE",
  "receipts" : {
    "merchantReceipt" : {
      "preformattedReceipt" : "Merchant Receipt\nCP Test\nSample Street\n55555 New York\nUnited States\n555555555\n\nPayment\n$1.00\n\nPlease retain receipt!\n\nCard: EBT\nAccount: **** **** **** 4720\nEntry Mode: Magstripe\nVerification: Verified by PIN\n\nTransaction: 673579\nAuthorization: 831000\nMerchant ID: ******************nt001\nTerminal ID: ****1459\n\n\nbd9c4ddd5bb84aafa42f16f2660f76c7\n\n2:34:22 PM: 9/29/2025\n\n\n",
      "receiptData" : {
        "lines" : {
          "MERCHANT_DETAILS_PUBLIC_NAME" : {
            "label" : "Name",
            "value" : "CP Test"
          },
          "MERCHANT_DETAILS_ADDRESS" : {
            "label" : "Address",
            "value" : "Sample Street"
          },
          "MERCHANT_DETAILS_ZIP" : {
            "label" : "Zip",
            "value" : "55555"
          },
          "MERCHANT_DETAILS_CITY" : {
            "label" : "City",
            "value" : "New York"
          },
          "MERCHANT_DETAILS_COUNTRY" : {
            "label" : "Country",
            "value" : "United States"
          },
          "MERCHANT_DETAILS_CONTACT" : {
            "label" : "Contact",
            "value" : "555555555"
          },
          "MERCHANT_DETAILS_ADDITIONAL_INFORMATION" : {
            "label" : "Additional Information",
            "value" : ""
          },
          "PAYMENT_DETAILS_SCHEME_OR_LABEL" : {
            "label" : "Card",
            "value" : "EBT"
          },
          "PAYMENT_DETAILS_MASKED_ACCOUNT" : {
            "label" : "Account",
            "value" : "**** **** **** 4720"
          },
          "PAYMENT_DETAILS_SOURCE" : {
            "label" : "Entry Mode",
            "value" : "Magstripe"
          },
          "PAYMENT_DETAILS_CUSTOMER_VERIFICATION" : {
            "label" : "Verification",
            "value" : "Verified by PIN"
          },
          "CLEARING_DETAILS_TRANSACTION_IDENTIFIER" : {
            "label" : "Transaction",
            "value" : "673579"
          },
          "CLEARING_DETAILS_AUTHORIZATION_CODE" : {
            "label" : "Authorization",
            "value" : "831000"
          },
          "CLEARING_DETAILS_MERCHANT_IDENTIFIER" : {
            "label" : "Merchant ID",
            "value" : "******************nt001"
          },
          "CLEARING_DETAILS_TERMINAL_ID" : {
            "label" : "Terminal ID",
            "value" : "****1459"
          },
          "RECEIPT_TYPE" : {
            "label" : "Receipt Type",
            "value" : "Merchant Receipt"
          },
          "TRANSACTION_TYPE" : {
            "label" : "Type",
            "value" : "Payment"
          },
          "SUBJECT" : {
            "label" : "Description",
            "value" : ""
          },
          "IDENTIFIER" : {
            "label" : "PWID",
            "value" : "bd9c4ddd5bb84aafa42f16f2660f76c7"
          },
          "AMOUNT_AND_CURRENCY" : {
            "label" : "Amount",
            "value" : "$1.00"
          },
          "DATE" : {
            "label" : "Date",
            "value" : "9/29/2025"
          },
          "TIME" : {
            "label" : "Time",
            "value" : "2:34:22 PM"
          },
          "STATUS_TEXT" : {
            "label" : "Information",
            "value" : "Please retain receipt!"
          }
        },
        "signatureLineRequired" : false,
        "tipLineRequired" : false,
        "totalLineRequired" : false
      }
    },
    "customerReceipt" : {
      "preformattedReceipt" : "Cardholder Receipt\nCP Test\nSample Street\n55555 New York\nUnited States\n555555555\n\nPayment\n$1.00\n\nPlease retain receipt!\n\nCard: EBT\nAccount: **** **** **** 4720\nEntry Mode: Magstripe\nVerification: Verified by PIN\n\nTransaction: 673579\nAuthorization: 831000\nMerchant ID: ******************nt001\nTerminal ID: ****1459\n\n\nbd9c4ddd5bb84aafa42f16f2660f76c7\n\n2:34:22 PM: 9/29/2025\n\n\n",
      "receiptData" : {
        "lines" : {
          "MERCHANT_DETAILS_PUBLIC_NAME" : {
            "label" : "Name",
            "value" : "CP Test"
          },
          "MERCHANT_DETAILS_ADDRESS" : {
            "label" : "Address",
            "value" : "Sample Street"
          },
          "MERCHANT_DETAILS_ZIP" : {
            "label" : "Zip",
            "value" : "55555"
          },
          "MERCHANT_DETAILS_CITY" : {
            "label" : "City",
            "value" : "New York"
          },
          "MERCHANT_DETAILS_COUNTRY" : {
            "label" : "Country",
            "value" : "United States"
          },
          "MERCHANT_DETAILS_CONTACT" : {
            "label" : "Contact",
            "value" : "555555555"
          },
          "MERCHANT_DETAILS_ADDITIONAL_INFORMATION" : {
            "label" : "Additional Information",
            "value" : ""
          },
          "PAYMENT_DETAILS_SCHEME_OR_LABEL" : {
            "label" : "Card",
            "value" : "EBT"
          },
          "PAYMENT_DETAILS_MASKED_ACCOUNT" : {
            "label" : "Account",
            "value" : "**** **** **** 4720"
          },
          "PAYMENT_DETAILS_SOURCE" : {
            "label" : "Entry Mode",
            "value" : "Magstripe"
          },
          "PAYMENT_DETAILS_CUSTOMER_VERIFICATION" : {
            "label" : "Verification",
            "value" : "Verified by PIN"
          },
          "CLEARING_DETAILS_TRANSACTION_IDENTIFIER" : {
            "label" : "Transaction",
            "value" : "673579"
          },
          "CLEARING_DETAILS_AUTHORIZATION_CODE" : {
            "label" : "Authorization",
            "value" : "831000"
          },
          "CLEARING_DETAILS_MERCHANT_IDENTIFIER" : {
            "label" : "Merchant ID",
            "value" : "******************nt001"
          },
          "CLEARING_DETAILS_TERMINAL_ID" : {
            "label" : "Terminal ID",
            "value" : "****1459"
          },
          "RECEIPT_TYPE" : {
            "label" : "Receipt Type",
            "value" : "Cardholder Receipt"
          },
          "TRANSACTION_TYPE" : {
            "label" : "Type",
            "value" : "Payment"
          },
          "SUBJECT" : {
            "label" : "Description",
            "value" : ""
          },
          "IDENTIFIER" : {
            "label" : "PWID",
            "value" : "bd9c4ddd5bb84aafa42f16f2660f76c7"
          },
          "AMOUNT_AND_CURRENCY" : {
            "label" : "Amount",
            "value" : "$1.00"
          },
          "DATE" : {
            "label" : "Date",
            "value" : "9/29/2025"
          },
          "TIME" : {
            "label" : "Time",
            "value" : "2:34:22 PM"
          },
          "STATUS_TEXT" : {
            "label" : "Information",
            "value" : "Please retain receipt!"
          }
        },
        "signatureLineRequired" : false,
        "tipLineRequired" : false,
        "totalLineRequired" : false
      }
    }
  },
  "ebtDetails" : {
    "category" : "FOOD"
  }
}

Response to an Unsuccessful Request

When the request is unsuccessful, you receive an error response with details.

{
   "type": "ErrorResponse",
   "message": "Error message to display.",
   "developerDescription": "Detailed description of error."
   }