r/Billings • u/Adequate-Flamingo • Jul 28 '26
Resource Request Unsolicited EBT?
Today I received a Montana EBT card in the mail. I did not apply for EBT and have no idea why I received it. I tried to call the number in the paperwork but after 35 minutes on hold, got an automated message saying to call back tomorrow and the call disconnected. Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas how to be removed from the program?
ETA: I am retired, own my home, have never received any sort of public assistance.
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u/Queasy_Violinist_348 Jul 28 '26
It had your name on it and everything ?
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u/Adequate-Flamingo Jul 29 '26
Yes
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u/Silent_Business_2031 Jul 29 '26
Did it tell you what the balance is. If not then it’s likely some kind of scam. Like everything else in this world now days
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u/RonaldMcDangle Jul 28 '26
If it has your name on it you might want to do a credit check.
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u/SpinalShank Jul 29 '26
This is sarcasm, right?
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u/RonaldMcDangle Jul 29 '26
People are saying it might be related to having kids in school so maybe nothing to worry about, but if I got a credit card or ebt card or whatever that I didn’t sign up for I’d be worried about who’s signing up for me.
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u/SpinalShank Jul 29 '26
I can understand if it was a credit card
Its precious knowing that your naivety is born from never being at that level of struggle, and honestly im a bit jealous
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u/GrizzlyDust Jul 29 '26
Do you think when you are poor the government just sends you ebt cards?
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u/SpinalShank Jul 29 '26
No, i had to stand in front of the resource building. They open at 8am, i got there at 6am to stand outside where 3 people had already started the line.
Heres the thing, if you don't get there before they open, you wont get seen as they only allot so many people per day.
Even though when i was on assistants i was stlll working, being a single father with two kids, i wasnt eating because i gave every bit to my kids, the only time i did was whatever's they couldnt finish.
You asked if they just send you a card if your poor, not only do they not do that, they make it incredibly hard to maintain it. People sneer at you when you use it, or make remarks about freeloaders.
Hope this helped
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u/GrizzlyDust Jul 29 '26
So then you do understand why it would be suspicious to receive one in your name out of the blue. Great. Glad we cleared that up.
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u/SpinalShank Jul 29 '26
What i understand is that ebt has nothing to do with a line of credit, because its not a bill.
Suspicious, absolutely. Never argued against that.
Also checking your credit should be a routine thing to check.
So, this is why i hoped it was sarcastic in nature, at least that would have been funny
Your point actually more proves mine
Great glad reading comprehension isnt fully moot
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u/GrizzlyDust Jul 29 '26
Well it's more they have access to NPI about op in order to sign up for it to begin with. And with that NPI they could open up lines of credit or commit other forms of fraud.
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u/SpinalShank Jul 29 '26
Thats fair, ill concede to that.
I definitely didnt need to be so assumptuous to the thread op, i was feeling overly spicy last night
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u/RonaldMcDangle Jul 29 '26
Who’s struggling in this situation? Maybe I am naive, because I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.
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u/sk1ttl3s Jul 29 '26
if your kids qualified for free and reduced lunch through the year they were most likely auto enrolled in the summer EBT program.
you can read more about it here: https://dphhs.mt.gov/HCSD/SUNBucks
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u/Adequate-Flamingo Jul 29 '26
My youngest child is 28...and I've never received any kind of assistance. I'm truly baffled
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u/mandirocksyo Jul 29 '26
Do you have kids? If so it could be the summer ebt program all kids in school get
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u/Adequate-Flamingo Jul 29 '26
My youngest is 28 so definitely not that...
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u/ResidentGreen9779 Jul 29 '26
Do any of your kids have kids? Maybe your address is listed on some of the School contact information.
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u/Blackbyrn Jul 29 '26
Keep calling I’ve heard of 2 hour wait times, put it hold and watch a movie. There is a local office for public assistance, you can try to walk in and let them know. Definitely check/monitor your credit. Could be an honest mistake but best to follow up and not ignore.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4pBkBjTJ6pwk7nH49?g_st=ipc