Anyone that runs a business knows that you can't go very long with something that upsets your payment processing. When it comes to retailers that process EBT or food stamps, any hiccups can mean losing your customer base.
Unfortunately, the federal government made changes that mandate retailers that accept EBT or food stamps to provide their own equipment. Or they cannot process EBT transactions. That can be a significant expenditure for companies that may not know where to turn. Especially those who do not have the funds to purchase these expensive point of sale machines.
But if you're looking for EBT point of sale equipment, the experts at Velocity Merchant Services are here to help. We're now accepting applications from retailers that want to upgrade their food stamp point of sale equipment. Keep in mind that you can still continue to accept EBT transactions during this transitionary period. Our EBT processing equipment can help you mitigate downtime, as well as allowing you to accept all types of transactions. This includes EBT, Visa/MasterCard and PIN based debit cards -- all through one convenient piece of equipment.
Here's how the process of getting new EBT point of sale devices works.
Step One: Obtain an FNS Permit
All retailers that accept EBT payments must have a USDA Food and Nutrition Service permit -- also known as an FNS. You'll need to have one before you can accept any EBT transactions via your food stamp processing equipment. If you don't already have a USDA FNS permit, please call us directly at 1-888-902-6202 so that we can help. If you already have a USDA FNS permit, you can jump ahead to the next step.
Step Two: Contact Us
With your USDA FNS permit in hand, simply reach out to the experts at Velocity Merchant Services to get started with your claim. Our staff of dedicated EBT/SNAP experts will help you obtain the proper EBT point of sale equipment. Even if you already have point of sale equipment, we may be able to help you qualify for equipment at a reduced cost. We can also reduce your EBT processing services, helping to streamline your transactions. This gives both you and your customers a better experience.
Step Three: Wait for Approval
Once we approve your business and your request, we'll send you your new EBT point of sale processing equipment direct to your business. You will get a machine that is capable of processing EBT and food stamp purchases. It can also process EMV payments, credit and debit card transactions. The best part is that you can be ready to process transactions in as little as 24 hours. Meaning that if you're approved today you may be able to process transactions tomorrow.
Additional Information About Our EBT Processing Equipment
EBT point of sale equipment we send to retailers is securely encrypted with PCI software that accepts many types of payments. This includes credit cards, debit cards, EMV/smart chip cards, as well as EBT payments. As a retailer, you can use your processing equipment to charge for all types of transactions, not just EBT payments. That means you can save even more money on the other types of transactions that take place in your business. This can significantly increase your bottom line.
With our EBT processing equipment, you'll meet all the needs of the USDA FNS, including accepting PIN transactions, using encryption keys and communicating your seven-digit FNS account number along with each valid transaction. While you may be able to reprogram your existing processing equipment to meet the new demands of EBT payments, any mistake could hold up all your payments or put your entire account in jeopardy. It's also much easier and quicker -- and many times cheaper -- to simply upgrade your equipment and keep on moving forward than trying to make that old and outdated equipment work.
Don't forget that if your existing point of sale device isn't compatible with EBT payments, you'll need a separate device anyway. That could cost you extra in fees, not to mention the complication of managing two sets of devices -- one for EBT payments and another for everything else. Aside from possibly paying more per transaction and various hidden fees, that can directly impact your profits. But with new EBT point of sale equipment, you won't have to pay any extra fees aside from transaction processing.
After Your EBT Processing Equipment Arrives
Once your EBT point of sale equipment has been installed, you'll be able to offer EBT payments to any of your customers. That's in addition to processing many other types of payments, including credit and debit payments. Not only will that help you build a customer base, but both existing and future customers won't be limited based on the types of payments that you can accept. Customers will be able to use their SNAP benefits in your place of business, as well as their credit and debit cards, helping your business grow and helping your ability to meet the needs of your customers.
With an EBT point of sale reader from Velocity Merchant Services, you'll be making all your future transactions swift and secure via the state of the art technology baked in, and that can make running your business easier from a payment collection standpoint. For over 20 years, we've helped businesses obtain the payment processing equipment that they need to continue to conduct business, and we can bring the same reliable service to your EBT transactions like the rest of all your transactions.
Partner With Velocity Merchant Services
If you're in need of a point of sale system to process EBT payments or any other type of payments, get in touch with the expert team at Velocity Merchant Services. We'll help you identify the right system for your needs, as well as helping you meet the requirements for your EBT point of sale payments. Please call us today at 888-902-6227 or send us an email at customercare@getvms.com to get started. You can also contact us via our website or apply for a free custom quote today. If you'd like to learn more about what you may need for this most recent EBT update, click here.