Niagara County DSS: EBT system will be down Sunday

Submitted by the Public Information Office

Niagara County Department of Social Services Commissioner Meghan Lutz said residents who receive benefits through the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance will not be able to use their EBT cards on Sunday, May 19, between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 11 a.m. New York state will be changing over to a new EBT vendor during this time.

“The state has hopes to do this quickly, but the actual down time could be longer or shorter, obviously based on how smoothly the changeover goes,” Lutz said. “EBT users need to plan accordingly, as they will not be able to use their cards for any purchases or withdrawals nor access the EBT toll-free customer service helpline, mobile app, and online client portal during this time.”

Lutz said cardholders can periodically check www.otda.ny.gov on May 19 to find out when the EBT system is back up and running. Lutz added that benefit recipients’ EBT card and PIN and the EBT customer service helpline phone number will remain the same. After this transition is complete, cardholders will be able to use their EBT card as usual.

For more information on the new system, visit https://otda.ny.gov/ebt-conversion.asp.