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CalFresh EBT card ATM withdrawals - does Bank of America charge fees when using GA benefits?
Does anyone know if Bank of America charges ATM fees when withdrawing General Assistance money from an EBT card? My cousin just got approved for GA and CalFresh (different programs, I know), but he's confused about how to access the cash benefits without losing money to fees. He doesn't have a regular bank account, and his GA is only $425/month so every dollar counts. The county worker rushed through the explanation and just told him "you can use it like a debit card" but didn't explain about fees. When I had CalFresh years ago it was food-only so I never had to worry about ATM withdrawals. Any advice would be super helpful!
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Lost EBT card - Can I get a replacement at any County office building?
My CalFresh EBT card just disappeared after grocery shopping yesterday (probably dropped it in the parking lot 😫). I need food for my kids like ASAP and don't have time to wait for mail delivery. Can I physically go to any County building to get a replacement card today? I live in Oakland but work in San Francisco, so could I go to SF County office instead since it's closer to my job? Or does it HAVE to be Alameda County where my case is? Also, will they ask for a bunch of documents I don't have with me? I just need my card replaced quickly!
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Doesn't the county office close at like 4:30pm? Hope you make it there in time! The Oakland one is always packed whenever I go.
Good point. Most county offices close at 5pm, and they typically stop taking new walk-ins around 4:30pm. Some counties have extended hours on specific days, but it's better to arrive earlier in the day if possible, especially for card replacements which usually require seeing a worker in person.
I lost my card 3 times this year already lol. Once in the washer, once at the store, and once my dog literally ate part of it. Each time I just called the 800 number and got a new one in the mail. Didn't know you could go in person to get one faster!
Just got back from the county office with my new card! Took about an hour total but way better than waiting days for the mail. Thanks everyone for your help!
Your dog ATE your EBT card?! 😂 That's definitely a first I've heard! At least you're under the 4 card limit that Dylan mentioned. Good to know both options work - phone for convenience, in-person for speed.
Can you use EBT card as proof of income for car insurance discounts? CalFresh recipients
So I've been shopping around for car insurance quotes and they all ask for proof of income. I'm currently on CalFresh and wondering if showing my EBT card would work as income verification? One agent mentioned something about low-income discounts but wasn't clear about what documentation they need. Has anyone successfully used their CalFresh/EBT status to get cheaper car insurance? Or do they need my actual income verification documents that I submitted for my CalFresh application?
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Just a heads up that when I got approved for the California Low Cost Auto program with my CalFresh documents, they still asked about my driving record. Had a speeding ticket from 2 years ago and it affected my rate. So it's not just about income.
OF COURSE they check driving record too! Just another way to squeeze more money from us. My record is clean and they STILL charged me crazy rates because I couldn't provide the exact income papers they wanted.
I actually work at a county CalFresh office and wanted to clarify something important - you can request what's called a "Benefits Verification Letter" online through your county's portal in most cases, which is much faster than calling. This letter shows your approval status, household income used for eligibility, and benefit amount. It's the official document insurance companies need, not the EBT card itself. For car insurance specifically, I'd definitely recommend trying the California Low Cost Auto Insurance Program first since CalFresh recipients automatically meet the income requirements. The coverage is basic but legitimate and way cheaper than regular insurance. Just make sure you have a clean driving record to get the best rates!
P-EBT 4.0 cards arriving by initial in San Bernardino County - what's the distribution schedule?
Just got notification that my daughter's P-EBT 4.0 card is coming tomorrow (spotted in USPS informed delivery email). Her first name starts with L and we're in San Bernardino County. I've noticed they seem to be sending them in batches by first initial because I already received cards for my other kids whose names start with A, G, and M over the past two weeks. Anyone else tracking the distribution pattern? Wondering if there's an official schedule somewhere or if others are seeing the same alphabetical rollout. Also curious if the benefits are all loaded at once or if they come in monthly deposits like regular CalFresh?
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Update: Got my daughter's card today! It was loaded with $227 just like the others. The activation process was super simple - just called the number on the back and entered her birthday and our zip code. Now just waiting on my son's card (his name starts with R) which I'm guessing will come next week based on the pattern I'm seeing.
lucky!!! still waiting on my kids cards 😡
Just wanted to share my experience - I'm also in San Bernardino County and got my first P-EBT 4.0 card last week for my youngest (name starts with E). Still waiting on cards for my other two kids whose names start with H and S. The distribution definitely seems random within our county, but good to hear from everyone that it's one lump sum payment. Has anyone had issues with stores not accepting the cards? Want to make sure I can use it at our usual grocery store when the other cards arrive.
Just received P-EBT card notice for my child but we don't have CalFresh - Imperial County confusion
So confused right now! Got mail today saying my 4-year-old son will receive a P-EBT card today but we've never applied for or received CalFresh benefits before. We live in Imperial County and honestly could use the help, but I'm worried this is some kind of mistake that will cause problems later. Is P-EBT different from regular food stamps? The letter doesn't show the benefit amount and I don't want to use something we're not entitled to. Should I call the county office or is this actually a legitimate program for families even if we don't get CalFresh?
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Since we're talking about P-EBT in Imperial County, I want to mention that there's a second phase of benefits coming in summer 2025 for eligible children. If your child receives this first card, they'll likely get the summer benefit too. Also, to answer your original question more directly - receiving P-EBT will NOT create any problems for you. It won't affect your taxes, won't be counted as income for any other benefits, and doesn't create any reporting requirements. It's essentially a no-strings-attached food benefit for eligible children. Like others mentioned, applying for regular CalFresh is a separate process that you might want to consider. The online application takes about 30 minutes to complete.
This is so helpful! I'm going to apply for CalFresh this weekend. And I'm relieved to hear about the summer benefits too - every bit helps with a growing child!
Just wanted to add that you should keep that original notice letter in a safe place! If there are ever any questions about your P-EBT benefits or if you need to reference the program details later, having the original documentation is helpful. Also, once you get your card and start using it, you can check your balance online at ebtEDGE.com or by calling the number on the back of the card. The website also shows your transaction history, which is useful for budgeting and keeping track of what you've purchased. Sounds like you're all set and this is definitely legitimate - enjoy the extra help with groceries for your son!
Javier Mendoza
Just to add to what everyone else said - if your cousin is getting both GA and CalFresh, he should know they have different balance inquiry numbers too. Sometimes when you call the main EBT customer service, it only tells you about food benefits not cash benefits unless you specifically select that option. The EBT app is better because it shows both balances clearly separated.
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Connor Murphy
AuthorI didn't know there was an EBT app! That sounds way more convenient than calling. Do you know what it's called or how to find it?
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Javier Mendoza
It's called "ConnectEBT" - should be available in the app stores. Some counties also have their own apps. The state one lets you check balances, see transaction history, and even find nearby places that accept EBT. Much better than the phone system!
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Jeremiah Brown
This thread has been so informative! I'm actually dealing with a similar situation myself - just got approved for GA in Fresno County and was completely lost about the fee structure. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like the key strategies are: 1. Use cash back at stores whenever possible (no fees) 2. Limit ATM use to BofA locations and stay within the free withdrawal limit 3. Download the ConnectEBT app to track balances 4. Keep receipts for everything One thing I'm curious about - has anyone had experience with using EBT cash benefits at gas stations? I know you can't use CalFresh/food benefits there, but wondering if the GA cash benefits work and if there are any special fees. Also want to echo what others said about the poor explanation from county workers. It's frustrating that people have to figure this out on their own when losing even a few dollars to fees can be a big deal when you're only getting a few hundred dollars a month.
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