Can CalFresh EBT be used to buy clothing? Confused about what's eligible

CalFresh benefits (food stamps) can only be used to purchase food items and food-producing plants/seeds. They cannot be used for clothing, household supplies, medicine, vitamins, alcohol, tobacco, pet food, or ready-to-eat hot foods. For clothing assistance, you might want to look into CalWORKs if you have children, or local clothing banks and assistance programs.

NO you cant buy cloths with EBT!!!!! its ONLY FOR FOOD thats why they call it FOOD stamps lol. the store will decline it anyway if u try

As others have mentioned, CalFresh (SNAP) benefits are strictly for food items. However, if you're eligible for CalFresh, you might also qualify for CalWORKs which provides cash aid that can be used for clothing and other necessities. You would need to apply separately through your county office or through BenefitsCal.com. There are also many community resources that provide free or low-cost clothing for children. I would recommend calling your county office to ask about additional programs you might qualify for based on your current situation.

when i got my ebt card i thought the same thing!!! but yeah its just for food. the good news is you can buy like ANY food except hot prepared stuff or alcohol. seeds too if you wanna grow vegetables!

The system is INTENTIONALLY CONFUSING so people don't get all the benefits they deserve! They never tell you about all the programs you qualify for. I've been on CalFresh for 3 years and just found out last month I could have been getting CalWORKs the whole time for my kids but no one told me! You have to specifically ASK for each program by name or they just don't mention it. The whole system is designed to make us give up.

I think Target accepts EBT for food items only tho so maybe you could go there to get groceries and then use the money you save on clothes? That's what I do sometimes. They have pretty affordable kid clothes.

To add to the helpful suggestions already provided, you might want to check if your county has an Emergency Assistance program specifically for clothing needs. Some counties offer one-time assistance for essential items like winter clothing or school clothes for children. Also, many school districts have programs for families in need - it might be worth contacting your children's school to ask if they know of any resources. Additionally, organizations like The Salvation Army, Goodwill, and local churches often have voucher programs for clothing needs.

omg i just remembered something important!! if u have school age kids check with their school! my daughters school has a "clothes closet" with free stuff for kids who need it. they don't make a big deal about it either, very private. just ask the counselor!

Hey Luca! I know this is overwhelming when you're first getting started with benefits. Just wanted to add that if you're in a really tight spot right now, many food banks also have clothing programs or can point you to local resources. You can find your nearest food bank through the California Association of Food Banks website. Also, don't give up on calling your county office - try calling right when they open in the morning, that's usually when wait times are shortest. You've got this, and congrats on getting approved for CalFresh - that's a huge help for your family!

Welcome to the community! I've been navigating the California benefits system for a few years now and wanted to share a few more resources that might help. Many counties have "211" services - you can dial 2-1-1 from any phone and they'll connect you with local assistance programs including clothing help. Also, if you're near any community colleges, many have student resource centers that help families in the community even if you're not enrolled. They often have emergency assistance funds or know about local clothing drives. And don't forget about Facebook community groups for your area - people are always posting about clothing swaps and giveaways for kids. You're doing great advocating for your family!