We’re thrilled to announce that one million people use Fresh EBT every month! Since launching the app less than two years ago, we’ve heard from people across the country who count Fresh EBT as one of their most essential apps.
We launched Fresh EBT for a simple reason: checking the balance of an EBT card was shockingly difficult. Mothers told us stories of navigating a complex phone hotline while juggling kids at the grocery store; we spoke to people with pockets full of old grocery receipts used to track their balance; we learned about the shame of having a transaction declined because of insufficient EBT funds. We thought there must be a better answer.
Fresh EBT is that answer. It enables EBT cardholders in all US states and territories to see their balance and transaction history, instantly, securely, and for free. A recent Harvard Business School study found that Fresh EBT users are better able to budget their benefits throughout the month, resulting in one fewer day of extreme hunger each month.
Those who use Fresh EBT tend to find a lot of value in the app. The average user opens the app nine times per month, and with 700,000 people using Fresh EBT at least once per week, it’s the most frequently used financial service for many of our users. That’s reflected in our Play Store ratings, where we have over 9,000 five-star reviews and rank as a top-20 overall finance app on Android.
By solving this particular pain point on behalf of EBT cardholders, we gain the opportunity to make a deeper impact on their lives. We do that by introducing them to products and services that improve their financial health. We’ve partnered with grocery stores, nonprofits, employers, and more to bring our users the best in class offerings that help them save money and connect to valuable resources.
One million is just the beginning. There are roughly 20 million households across the country with active EBT cards, which means that only 5% of those who could be using Fresh EBT are currently active users. There’s a lot more work to be done.
We’d love your help in reaching those remaining 19 million families and providing them a great product. Propel is hiring! Follow us on Twitter.
