Best grocery stores to maximize CalFresh EBT benefits? Costco, Sam's Club, Trader Joe's options

Congrats on getting approved! Yes, both Costco and Sam's Club accept EBT cards for eligible food items, but not for membership fees - you'll still need to pay those separately with cash/credit. Trader Joe's definitely accepts EBT and often has good prices on certain items. As for stretching your benefits, I recommend: 1. Plan meals around store sales/circular ads 2. Buy staples in bulk (rice, beans, pasta) - this is where warehouse clubs shine 3. Frozen vegetables are usually cheaper than fresh and just as nutritious 4. Compare unit prices rather than package prices 5. Check out discount grocery stores like Grocery Outlet or Food 4 Less I've been on CalFresh for 2 years while in school and find I can stretch benefits by shopping at 2-3 different stores for their best deals.

Be super careful at Costco/Sams!!! Not EVERYTHING is eligable with EBT even in the food section. Like prepared hot foods and some bakery items dont qualify. I got so embarsed when half my cart wouldn't go thru and had to put stuff back with a huge line behind me!! 😳 Also Walmart takes EBT and sometimes has better prices than TJs for some things. And dont forget farmers markets!! Some give you double value for EBT $$.

To maximize your CalFresh benefits ($500/month is actually quite good for a household of 2), I recommend a strategic approach: 1. Trader Joe's accepts EBT and has excellent prices on nuts, cheese, and some produce 2. Costco/Sam's Club accept EBT for eligible food items (not membership fees), but analyze carefully - bulk isn't always cheaper per unit 3. Look for Market Match programs at farmers markets - they'll match your EBT spending (usually up to $10-20 per visit) effectively doubling your benefits for fresh produce 4. Consider ethnic grocery stores - often have better prices on produce, spices, and staples than major chains 5. Sign up for store loyalty programs - these discounts work with EBT cards 6. Check your county's CalFresh website - many have helpful guides about stretching benefits Lastly, remember that restaurant meals may be available through the Restaurant Meals Program if your county participates and you qualify.

I dunno why everyone keeps saying Costco takes EBT. They do technically but hardly anything in the store qualifies when you actually try to use it! Sam's is better. Walmart and Aldi are the best value honestly. I've been on Calworks and Calfresh for 2 years now. Also all the smart foodbudget advice is good but like... sometimes you just need convenience foods too. Don't beat yourself up if you can't always maximize every single penny. Being poor is exhausting enough without adding extra pressure.

If you're having trouble reaching anyone at CalFresh about specific questions regarding where to use your benefits, try Claimyr. I discovered it after spending DAYS trying to get through to a CalFresh worker about my benefits. They connect you directly to a worker without the endless wait times. The service worked great for me - you can check them out at claimyr.com or watch their demo video here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 I had specific questions about the Restaurant Meals Program and whether I qualified, and couldn't get through on the regular line for nearly a week.

One more tip: if you have a smartphone, download store apps for places like Target, Walmart, and major grocery chains. You can browse what's EBT-eligible before shopping, plus: 1. Compare prices between stores easily 2. See weekly sales without checking paper ads 3. Clip digital coupons (these work with EBT!) 4. Some stores like Walmart offer pickup/delivery and clearly mark EBT-eligible items Also, register your EBT card on the official California EBT website/app to track your balance and transaction history. That way you always know exactly how much you have left.

trader joes is good for some things but not everything!! their produce goes bad so fast imo. i stretch my benefits by buying frozen stuff and rice/beans in bulk. also dont forget about food banks!! they can help stretch your calfresh $$ by covering some basics

Have any of you tried that CalFresh budget challenge thing? My case worker told me about it - you track everything you buy for a month and they give you personalized tips. I never did it (seemed like a lot of work lol) but might be helpful for someone just starting out with benefits.

Welcome to the CalFresh community! I'm sorry to hear about your restaurant closing - that must have been incredibly stressful. The advice here is really solid, but I wanted to add a few things that helped me when I first started using benefits: 1. Download the "Fresh EBT" app - it shows your balance and lets you find EBT-accepting stores nearby with user reviews 2. Many stores have "manager's special" sections with discounted items that are still fresh - great for stretching dollars 3. If you're near any Hispanic markets (carnicerias), they often have amazing prices on fresh produce and meat 4. Dollar Tree accepts EBT for food items and has some surprising deals on spices, canned goods, and frozen vegetables Also, don't feel bad about using convenience items when you need them. You're dealing with a major life change and sometimes a frozen meal is what keeps you sane while you're rebuilding. $500/month is actually a decent amount for two people if you shop strategically, but give yourself grace during this transition period. You've got this! The fact that you're being proactive and asking for advice shows you'll figure out how to make it work.

Just wanted to add a few more practical tips that helped me when I was new to CalFresh! 1. ALDI is amazing for stretching benefits - their prices are consistently low and they accept EBT. You'll need a quarter for the cart but you get it back. 2. If you're comfortable with it, consider joining local Facebook groups or Nextdoor for your area. People often share when stores have great sales or mark down items. 3. Generic/store brands are usually 20-30% cheaper than name brands and the quality is often identical. This is especially true for basics like pasta, rice, canned goods. 4. Keep an eye out for "Buy One Get One Free" deals - these work great with EBT and can really stretch your dollars on things like frozen vegetables or canned beans. 5. Many stores have senior discount days or special discount days that stack with EBT - worth asking customer service about. The learning curve feels steep at first but you'll get the hang of it quickly! And remember, this is temporary help while you rebuild - there's no shame in using every resource available to you right now.