Can I purchase baby formula with CalFresh EBT? Confused about eligible items

Yes, you absolutely can buy formula with your CalFresh benefits! Baby formula is considered an eligible food item. As long as it's a food product meant for human consumption and not labeled as a supplement, it's covered. The location in the store doesn't matter - whether it's in the baby section or grocery section, you can purchase it with your EBT card.

yep formula is covered i buy it all the time for my twins. but watch out cuz u cant buy bottles diapers wipes or anything like that with ebt even tho there in same aisle

Just adding to what others have said - any type of formula is covered by CalFresh, including specialized hypoallergenic formulas. The distinction CalFresh makes is whether something is food (or formula) versus non-food items like bottles or diapers. If you're really struggling with formula costs, you might also want to check if you qualify for WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program, which specifically provides formula for babies. You can receive both CalFresh and WIC simultaneously, and WIC would provide formula vouchers in addition to your CalFresh benefits.

My county worker told me that ANYTHING edible is eligible with CalFresh except hot prepared foods and vitamins/supplements. So formula is 100% covered because it's a food item. Even the expensive specialized ones my nephew needed were covered when my sister was on CalFresh last year. The checkout system is coded to know what's eligible and what's not, so don't worry about getting embarrassed - the register automatically separates eligible vs. non-eligible items!

I had this same question when I first got CalFresh in 2024! I was so nervous to try buying formula but it worked fine. The only time I had an issue was when I tried to buy a formula+cereal combo product that was classified as a supplement for some reason. Regular formula always works tho. BTW if ur struggling to reach someone at the county office about any questions, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to a real person at the CalFresh office without waiting on hold for hours. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Saved me so much time when I had questions about what I could buy with my benefits.

Formula is definitely covered!! But let me tell you a horror story about my first time... I tried to buy formula, diapers, and baby food all together and didn't separate my items. The cashier announced SUPER LOUDLY to the whole store that my EBT wouldn't cover the diapers and wipes. I was MORTIFIED!!! Now I always do separate transactions - food items with EBT first, then non-food baby items as a separate transaction. Just a tip to avoid the embarrassment I went through!

wait do u have WIC too??? u should apply for that. they give u specific formula checks every month its seperate from calfresh

To address your question about specialized formula - yes, hypoallergenic formulas for babies with allergies are definitely covered by CalFresh. The EBT system doesn't distinguish between regular and specialized formula varieties. As long as it's formula, it's covered! And I strongly second the recommendations to apply for WIC as well. They can provide formula vouchers specifically for your baby's needs, which would help stretch your CalFresh benefits further for other food items your family needs.

Something no one mentioned - sometimes stores put formula behind locked cases now bc its expensive. if u need help getting an employee to unlock it dont be shy to ask! no one should be embarrassed about feeding their baby ❤️

Just wanted to add that if you're shopping at larger stores like Target or Walmart, they often have self-checkout options which can make using your EBT card feel more private if you're still feeling nervous about it. The machines are programmed to automatically separate eligible and non-eligible items, and you won't have to worry about any awkward interactions with cashiers. I found this really helpful when I was first starting to use my benefits and wasn't sure what was covered yet!

I'm new to CalFresh too and had the same worries about using my EBT card! One thing that helped me was calling the store ahead of time to ask which checkout lanes accept EBT - some stores have specific lanes that are better set up for it. Also, most major grocery stores like Safeway and Kroger have customer service desks where you can ask questions without feeling rushed at checkout. The staff there are usually really helpful and understanding. Don't let anxiety stop you from getting what your baby needs - you've got this! 💪

Hey Melissa! Just wanted to chime in as another CalFresh user - yes, formula is absolutely covered including the specialized hypoallergenic kinds! I've been using my EBT for my daughter's Nutramigen formula for months now without any issues. The price difference is crazy but at least EBT helps with that burden. One tip I learned the hard way: if you're buying other baby items at the same time, tell the cashier upfront that you want to do two separate transactions - formula with EBT first, then everything else. This way you avoid any confusion or awkward moments at checkout. Most cashiers are used to this and totally understand. Also definitely look into WIC like others mentioned! The application process was pretty straightforward for me and they cover a good amount of formula each month. Having both programs has been a huge help for our family budget.

Welcome to CalFresh, Melissa! You've gotten great advice here already - formula is definitely covered, including the specialized hypoallergenic types your baby needs. I've been using CalFresh for about a year now and formula purchases have never been an issue. One thing that might help ease your nerves: most stores now have their EBT systems set up really well, so the register automatically knows what's eligible. If you're still feeling anxious about your first purchase, consider going during off-peak hours when stores are less crowded - maybe mid-morning or early afternoon. That way you'll have more time to ask questions if needed without feeling rushed. Also, keep your receipts! They'll show exactly what was purchased with EBT vs. what wasn't, which can be helpful as you learn what's covered. The specialized formula is expensive but it's such a relief when you realize EBT covers it completely. Your baby's health is the priority and you're doing everything right by making sure he gets what he needs. Good luck with your first shopping trip!

Hi Melissa! Just wanted to add my voice to everyone else's - yes, formula is absolutely covered by CalFresh, including the specialized hypoallergenic types! I remember feeling the exact same nervousness when I first got my EBT card. One thing that really helped me was downloading my grocery store's app and checking which items are EBT-eligible before I even go shopping. Most major stores like Target, Walmart, and Safeway have this feature now. You can scan barcodes or search for products and it'll tell you right away if it's covered. Also, don't stress too much about the checkout process - the cashiers see EBT cards all day long and it's really no big deal to them. If you're still feeling nervous, you can always say "I'm paying with EBT for the eligible items" when you start checking out, and they'll handle the rest. Definitely apply for WIC too! The combination of both programs has been a lifesaver for so many families I know. You're doing great advocating for your baby's needs - that specialized formula is expensive but so important for his health. Welcome to the community and don't hesitate to ask if you have any other questions!

Hey Melissa! Just wanted to jump in and say you're going to do great! I totally understand the anxiety about using your EBT card for the first time - I felt the exact same way when I got mine approved last year. One small tip that helped me: when you're at checkout, you can just slide your EBT card like any other debit card. The system will automatically process what's eligible and then ask if you want to pay for any remaining items with another form of payment. Super simple! For the specialized formula, I've seen other parents in my area successfully purchase Similac Alimentum, Enfamil Nutramigen, and other hypoallergenic formulas with no issues at all. The cashiers and systems are very familiar with formula purchases. You're being such a great mom making sure your little one gets exactly what he needs. That specialized formula is so important for babies with allergies, and thankfully CalFresh recognizes that. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about using the benefits you qualify for - you're using them exactly as intended! Best of luck on your first shopping trip 💙

Hi Melissa! I just wanted to add that you might also want to check if your local stores have pharmacy sections that carry formula - sometimes they have better stock of the specialized hypoallergenic formulas. I've found that CVS and Walgreens often have Nutramigen and Alimentum when the regular grocery aisles are sold out. Both stores accept EBT for formula purchases too! Also, if you end up needing to try different formula brands to find what works best for your baby's allergies, don't worry about "wasting" your EBT benefits - finding the right formula is so important and that's exactly what the program is there for. My pediatrician told me it can sometimes take trying 2-3 different hypoallergenic formulas before finding the one that works best, so don't get discouraged if the first one doesn't solve all the issues. You're doing an amazing job advocating for your baby's health! The fact that you're asking these questions shows how thoughtful and caring you are as a mom. Welcome to the CalFresh community - we're all here to support each other! 🍼❤️

Hi Melissa! As someone who was in your exact situation just 6 months ago with my daughter's severe milk protein allergy, I wanted to reassure you that ALL types of baby formula are covered by CalFresh - regular, hypoallergenic, amino acid-based, you name it! I've purchased Neocate, EleCare, and Nutramigen all with my EBT card without any issues. One thing that really helped me when I was nervous about my first purchase was going to smaller, local grocery stores instead of big chains initially. The staff tends to be more patient and helpful, and there's usually less of a line so you don't feel rushed. Once I got comfortable with the process, I started shopping at larger stores for better selection and prices. Also, if your baby's current formula isn't working well, don't hesitate to work with your pediatrician to try different options. I went through 4 different specialized formulas before we found the right one, and CalFresh covered every single can. That's exactly what these benefits are for - ensuring babies get proper nutrition! You're going to be just fine, mama. Your baby is lucky to have someone who cares so much about getting him exactly what he needs! 💕

Hey Melissa! I just wanted to chime in as another new CalFresh user - I got my card about 2 months ago and had the exact same worries about buying formula for my son. I'm happy to confirm that yes, all baby formula is covered including the expensive specialized ones! I buy Similac Pro-Advance regularly and it works perfectly with EBT. One thing that really helped me overcome the initial anxiety was practicing what I'd say at checkout. I just tell the cashier "I'm using EBT for eligible items" right when I start, and they handle everything from there. Most cashiers are super professional about it and honestly don't even blink - they see EBT cards all day long. Also, if you download the store apps for places like Target or Safeway, you can actually look up products beforehand to confirm they're EBT eligible. It's a great way to feel more prepared before you go shopping. Don't let any anxiety stop you from getting what your baby needs - you qualified for these benefits for a reason and formula is exactly what they're meant to help with! You've got this mama! 🤱