NY EBT system outage expected for part of Sunday

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The New York Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system is expected to be unavailable from 12:01 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sunday, according to the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). The outage may be shorter or longer than expected.

The EBT system is changing over to a new EBT vendor. Cardholder access to food and cash purchases, cash withdrawals, the EBT toll-free customer service helpline, the mobile app, and the online client portal will be unavailable for New Yorkers during the change.

Everyone's EBT card and PIN and the EBT customer service helpline phone number, (888) 328-6399, will stay the same. However, the ODTA reminds cardholders that they should change their PIN often to avoid fraud and benefit theft.

As for what will change, the ConnectEBT app and client portal will no longer be used for cardholders. Instead, cardholders will need to download or access the patient portal known as ebtEDGE which will allow cardholders to check transactions and deposits, freeze and unfreeze their card, and change their PIN.