Can I use CalFresh EBT for everything at Dollar Tree or need cash too?

The cashier was actually correct. Your CalFresh/SNAP benefits (the food stamps part of your EBT card) can ONLY be used for food items that are meant to be prepared and eaten at home. This is a federal rule that applies everywhere, not just at Dollar Tree. Non-food items like cleaning supplies, paper products, pet food, vitamins, and personal care items can't be purchased with CalFresh regardless of where you shop. Some people have both CalFresh and CalWORKs (cash aid) on the same EBT card. If you only have CalFresh, you'll need actual cash/debit/credit for the non-food items.

ye they dont let u use it on non food i try all the time lol. u can get like bread pasta sauce canned stuff frozen food at dollar tree with ur ebt tho! pretty good deals actually

I was confused about this too when I first got CalFresh! The basic rule is if you can eat it and it's not hot/prepared food, you can usually buy it with SNAP benefits. So at Dollar Tree, things like: - Canned goods - Rice, pasta, bread - Dairy products - Snacks and cereal - Frozen foods - Seeds to grow food You CANNOT buy: - Cleaning supplies - Toilet paper, paper towels - Shampoo, soap, toothpaste - Pet food - Vitamins It's frustrating but that's how the program works unfortunately.

Actually, you mentioned "household supplies" - just to be super clear, you CAN'T use CalFresh/SNAP benefits for: - Paper products (paper towels, toilet paper, etc) - Soap, detergent, cleaning products - Cosmetics, hygiene products - Medicines and vitamins - Pet food and supplies - Alcoholic beverages - Tobacco products - Hot prepared foods (like deli items) This is a federal SNAP rule that applies everywhere from Dollar Tree to Walmart to any grocery store. Your EBT card actually has separate accounts if you receive multiple benefits - your SNAP funds can only be used for eligible food items.

If you're struggling with getting household essentials, you might want to check if you qualify for other assistance programs. Some food banks also distribute cleaning supplies and personal care items in addition to food. Also, if you're having trouble reaching someone at the CalFresh office to ask about additional benefits you might qualify for, I recently discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to a real person at the county office instead of waiting on hold forever. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. I used it when I had questions about my benefits and it saved me hours of frustration.

i think im the only 1 who likes that we cant buy everything with ebt...makes me plan better about wat food to get. but i DO wish we could get toilet paper with it! thats essential! dont make sense we cant get that stuff

Just to clear up a common misconception - Dollar Tree doesn't have special rules for SNAP/CalFresh benefits. The federal SNAP rules apply everywhere. I think people get confused because everything is inexpensive there, but the rules are about food vs. non-food items, not about price. If you have both CalFresh and CalWORKs benefits on your EBT card, you can use the CalWORKs portion (cash benefits) for pretty much anything except alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, and a few other restricted items. But those are completely separate benefits with different eligibility requirements.

Hey Malik! I totally understand your frustration - I went through the same confusion when I first started using CalFresh. One tip that's helped me stretch my budget: I make a list before going to Dollar Tree and separate it into "EBT items" (food) and "cash items" (everything else). That way I know exactly what I can afford with my benefits vs what I need cash for. Also, Dollar Tree actually has some really good food deals that work with CalFresh - their pasta sauce, canned beans, and frozen vegetables are great values. For the household stuff, I've found that buying generic brands at regular grocery stores during sales can sometimes be cheaper than Dollar Tree anyway. Good luck with your budgeting!