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!

I feel your pain on this! When I first got CalFresh, I made the same mistake at Dollar Tree thinking everything would be covered. What really helped me was downloading the SNAP Retailer Locator app - it doesn't change the rules but it helps you find stores that accept EBT so you can plan your trips better. One thing I discovered is that some dollar stores (not Dollar Tree specifically, but others) actually have a small grocery section where you can get basics like milk, eggs, and bread with your EBT card. It's worth checking if there are other discount stores in your area that might have more food options. Also, don't forget that farmer's markets often accept CalFresh and some even do the "double up" programs where your benefits go further for fresh produce! For household supplies, I started hitting up the clearance sections at regular stores - sometimes you can find cleaning supplies cheaper than Dollar Tree prices when they're marked down.

I had this exact same confusion when I first started using CalFresh! What helped me was asking the cashier to ring up my items in two separate transactions - first all the food items with my EBT card, then the household stuff with cash or debit. Most stores are pretty understanding about this. One thing that wasn't mentioned yet - if you're really tight on cash for household essentials, check if your local churches or community centers have free supply pantries. A lot of them give out things like toilet paper, soap, and cleaning supplies alongside food. Also, some thrift stores have household items for super cheap - sometimes even cheaper than Dollar Tree! The food selection at Dollar Tree with EBT is actually pretty decent though. Their canned tomatoes, rice, and pasta are good staples that can make a lot of meals stretch further.

Just wanted to add that if you're looking for ways to save on household essentials, some dollar stores like Family Dollar and Dollar General have different layouts than Dollar Tree - they often have more grocery sections where you can use your CalFresh benefits for food, and their non-food items are sometimes priced competitively too. Another tip I learned: if you have a Walmart nearby, their Great Value brand household products are often cheaper per unit than Dollar Tree, especially if you catch them on rollback. I know it requires more cash upfront, but buying larger sizes can save money in the long run. Also, don't overlook ethnic grocery stores in your area - they often have amazing prices on cleaning supplies and paper products, plus great food deals you can use your CalFresh benefits for. The Asian market near me has huge bags of rice and dried beans that last forever!

I totally get your confusion - I thought the same thing when I first got CalFresh! The $1.25 price point at Dollar Tree makes it seem like everything should be affordable with benefits, but unfortunately the federal SNAP rules are really strict about food vs. non-food items. One thing that's helped me is learning to shop strategically at Dollar Tree. I focus on their decent food selection first - things like canned vegetables, pasta, rice, and frozen items that I can get with my CalFresh benefits. Then I make a separate small list of only the most essential household items I absolutely need and budget cash for those. If you're really struggling with household supplies, check out your local Buy Nothing groups on Facebook - people give away cleaning supplies, toilet paper, and other essentials all the time. Also, some food banks include household items in their distributions, so it's worth asking when you visit. The 99 Cent Store (if you have one nearby) sometimes has better deals on cleaning supplies than Dollar Tree too. Hang in there - it gets easier once you learn to work within the system!