# Propel

> Propel is a Brooklyn-based technology company whose free app helps people receiving government benefits check EBT balances, review transactions, access savings, and follow benefits updates. Its business connects a large consumer audience with advertisers, health plans, state agencies, and relief partners.

- **Founded:** 2014
- **Headquarters:** New York, United States
- **Founders:** Jimmy Chen (CEO and co-founder), Jeff Kaiser (COO and co-founder), Ram Mehta (CPO and co-founder (current company leadership page))
- **Products:** Propel app, Providers Card by Propel, EBT security tools, Propel advertising solutions, Propel for Plans
- **Notable:** More than 5 million users, company-reported., More than 1 million five-star ratings, company-reported., Reached GAAP profitability in 2024, according to Forbes.

## Products & services

- **Propel app** — Free EBT balance and transaction viewing, deposit information, savings offers, jobs, and benefits news; previously Fresh EBT and Providers. Balance checking currently excludes Iowa.
- **Providers Card by Propel** — Cash debit account launched in 2021; Sutton Bank is identified as issuer in the published terms. Separate from a government-issued EBT card.
- **EBT security tools** — Card locking, geographic and online transaction restrictions where supported, plus suspicious-transaction monitoring. Availability varies by state and feature.
- **Propel advertising solutions** — Paid campaigns for businesses serving benefit recipients, including grocery, telecom, utilities, and healthcare.
- **Propel for Plans** — Member engagement for health plans, including coverage retention and prompts for health-related actions.
- **Propel for States** — Benefits communication, client engagement, and compliance support using the existing consumer app audience.
- **User Insights** — Research on the financial circumstances and policy experiences of benefit recipients.

## Achievements

- More than 5 million users, company-reported.
- More than 1 million five-star ratings, company-reported.
- Reached GAAP profitability in 2024, according to Forbes.
- Reported security-feature adoption increasing from 16% to 56% during 2025.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Announced a US$1 million Thanksgiving SNAP Bridge Fund with GiveDirectly, offering US$100 payments to selected eligible users with missed October deposits; funding is limited.
- **2026-06** — Published a retrospective on changes that encouraged use of EBT security controls.
- **2026-06** — Published Arizona DES communication-campaign results and described planned case-information integration.
- **2026-02** — Introduced first Director of State Ventures Lexi Gervis, who joined in January.

## Links

- Website: https://www.propel.app/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/propel-inc/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/freshebt
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepropel.app/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePropelApp/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepropelapp/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/propel
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-25