What is an FNS (Food and Nutrition Service) Number?

 FNS is a program of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service. FNS administers 15 nutrition assistance programs which provide services at both national and local levels. One such service is issuing FNS Numbers to approved individuals who participate in one or more of the following programs:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as Food Stamps

  • Child Nutrition Programs (School Breakfast/National School Lunch Program)

  • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) which provides matching funds to States for health benefits of uninsured children up to age 19 whose family income is significantly low to moderate (generally up to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level).

State agencies issue FNS Numbers to individuals who meet SNAP, WIC and/or SCHIP eligibility requirements. The number works like a credit card; authorized recipients use it when applying for benefits in lieu of writing down personal information about themselves.

What is an FNS Number?

FNS Numbers are ten-digit numbers that the Food and Nutrition Service assigns to individuals for use in applying for SNAP, WIC or SCHIP benefits. Each state has its own unique FNS Number system consisting of three digits followed by seven numerals. An example of a valid FNS Number is 123-45-6789.

No two people receive the same FNS Number. The number does not contain information about a person or provide personal data. It cannot be used to determine an individual's eligibility for benefits.

Do I Need An FNS Number?

If you are applying for SNAP, WIC or SCHIP benefits, you will need to obtain an FNS Number from your State agency.

How Do I Get An FNS Number?

Call the SNAP (Food Stamp) Hotline at 1-800-221-5689 or send a written request for information about obtaining an FNS Number to.

Where Can I Find My FNS Number?

You can find your FNS Number on your SNAP (Food Stamp) EBT Card. If you do not have an EBT card, your State agency will issue one to you.

If you are participating in another of the 15 USDA programs, your FNS Number is on file with that program.

What Is An NTN (National Tracking Number)?

The National Tracking Number is a unique identifier used by WIC to track individual participant access to WIC benefits within each State agency's computer system. The number is composed of two distinct parts:

Entity identifier, a two-digit code assigned to each State agency by FNS.

Participant identifier, a seven-digit number that the State agency issues to an individual who participates in WIC or to a clinic on behalf of its patients. The participant identifier follows the individual from place to place, even when that individual moves to another State.

EBT cards in the WIC program contain an NTN (National Tracking Number). The government is currently in the process of switching to a new system called SPARK. That is why you may see numbers other than NTNs on your EBT card or printed checks. Soon all NTNs will be phased out and new numbers will be the SPARK system.

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