Can I use my CalFresh EBT card while traveling outside California?

Yes, you can definitely use your CalFresh EBT card in any state! The CalFresh/SNAP program is nationwide, so your California EBT card will work at any grocery store, supermarket, or farmer's market that accepts SNAP benefits across the country. You don't need to notify your caseworker for temporary travel - it's only if you're permanently moving that you'd need to report a change of address. Just make sure you're back in California for any scheduled recertification appointments or if you need to submit your SAR7 during that time period.

Thank you! That's such a relief. My SAR7 isn't due until August so I should be fine. Will my balance update normally even if I'm out of state?

yep works everywhere! i used mine in oregon last month no problem

Actually this is correct but not complete. Your EBT card will work in other states, but just remember that restaurant meals program (if you qualify in CA) only works in California, not other states. Regular grocery purchases are fine though!

Everyone saying it works everywhere but when I went to Florida last year my card got declined at the first store I tried!!! Had to call the EBT customer service number on the back of the card. Turns out they had put a fraud hold on it because of the sudden out-of-state purchase. So just be prepared you might need to call if that happens!!!! The number is usually 1-877-328-9677 unless it's changed for 2025.

Oh wow I didn't even think about that! Thanks for the heads up, I'll save that number in my phone just in case.

As others have mentioned, your EBT card will work in other states. However, here are some additional things to keep in mind:\n\n1. Make sure you're still meeting residency requirements - temporary travel is fine, but extended absences could potentially affect your eligibility\n2. If your recertification or SAR7 is due while you're away, you can complete it online through BenefitsCal.com\n3. If you need to contact your Madera County worker while away and can't get through on the main line, you might want to try Claimyr.com - they can help you skip the phone queue and connect with a worker quickly. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 that shows how it works. I used it when I was out of town and needed to resolve an issue with my case.\n4. Keep your receipts if your card gets declined, just in case you need to reference them later.\n\nEnjoy your trip!

Thank you for all these tips! I'll check out that website if I need to reach someone. My recertification isn't until November so that shouldn't be an issue, but good to know I can do it online if needed.

Does anyone know if theres limits on how long u can be out of state? My cousin said if ur gone more then 30 days they can cut ur benefits off cause ur not a CA resident anymore??? Is that true?? Im planning a 6 week trip to see my mom in texas next year and worried about my calfresh.

Great question! CalFresh has a residency requirement, meaning you must be a California resident to receive CA benefits. Temporary travel doesn't affect this, but if you're establishing residency elsewhere (getting a new driver's license, registering to vote, etc.), that could affect eligibility.\n\nFor a 6-week trip where you're maintaining your CA home and planning to return, you should be fine. However, if your SAR7 or recertification falls during that period, make sure to complete it on time. The general guideline is that absences over 30 days might require explanation, but won't automatically disqualify you if you're maintaining CA residency.\n\nI'd recommend reporting your temporary absence to your county worker just to be safe.

I go to Oregon every summer for 2 months and never had issues using my card there. But one time I forgot to turn in my SAR7 before I left and my benefits got cut off! So make sure any paperwork is taken care of before you go. You can submit most stuff through the BenefitsCal app now which makes it easier when traveling.

Great point about the paperwork! I'll double check if anything is due while I'm gone. Didn't know about the app - just downloaded it!

Unrelated but make sure you're aware of the new IRT (Income Reporting Threshold) rules for 2025. They increased the thresholds by like 30% so you have more flexibility before having to report income changes. Probably not relevant to your travel question but good to know in general.

I actually didn't know this - thanks for the info! I do some freelance work on the side so this is helpful.

Just wanted to add that if you're planning to use your EBT card at farmers markets in Arizona or Nevada, make sure to check which ones accept SNAP benefits first. Not all farmers markets are set up for EBT payments, even if they do in California. You can usually find this info on the market's website or by calling ahead. Also, some stores in smaller towns might not be familiar with out-of-state EBT cards, so don't be surprised if a cashier seems confused - just let them know it works the same as any other EBT card. Have a great trip!

Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm planning a similar trip and this is really helpful. Quick question - when you used your card in Oregon, did you notice any difference in what items were eligible for purchase compared to California? I know the basic SNAP rules are the same everywhere, but I've heard some states have slightly different interpretations of what qualifies as "eligible food items." Also, did you have any issues with the PIN or anything like that? Want to make sure I'm prepared for any potential hiccups!

This thread has been so helpful! I'm actually in a similar situation - planning a cross-country road trip this summer and was worried about using my EBT card in different states. Reading everyone's experiences really puts my mind at ease. One thing I want to add is that if you're staying in hotels or motels during your trip, some of them have mini fridges where you can store perishables you buy with your EBT card. Just a thought for making your grocery budget stretch further while traveling! Also, downloaded that BenefitsCal app someone mentioned - looks like it'll be super useful for managing everything while on the road. Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge!

This is such great information! I'm new to CalFresh and had no idea the card worked nationwide. I'm planning to visit my sister in Texas next month for about 10 days and was stressing about how I'd afford groceries while there. Reading through all these responses really helps - especially the tip about potentially getting a fraud hold if they see unusual out-of-state activity. I'll definitely save that customer service number just in case. Also good to know about the farmers market thing since my sister loves going to local markets. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

Just wanted to add something that might be helpful for your trip! I've traveled extensively with my CalFresh card and one thing I learned is to check if the stores you're planning to visit have their own store apps. A lot of major chains like Safeway, Kroger, and Walmart let you check prices and even create shopping lists ahead of time, which can help you budget your EBT benefits while traveling. Also, if you're driving through rural areas, gas stations that sell groceries (like some truck stops) often accept EBT too, which can be super convenient if you need basics and don't want to hunt for a full grocery store. The card reader will show "EBT" as an option just like it does in California. One last tip - if you're buying anything that might be questionable (like energy drinks or prepared foods), the register will automatically sort out what's EBT eligible vs what isn't, so don't stress too much about memorizing all the rules for different states!

This is such a comprehensive thread! As someone who's been on CalFresh for about two years now, I can confirm everything mentioned here. I've used my card successfully in Washington, Oregon, and Colorado without any issues. One additional tip I'd add is to make sure your card isn't close to expiring before you travel - mine expired while I was visiting family in Portland and I had to wait until I got back to California to get a replacement since they can't mail it to an out-of-state address. Also, if you're staying somewhere with a kitchen, buying ingredients to cook meals will stretch your benefits much further than buying pre-made foods, especially since restaurant prices vary so much between states. Have an amazing trip, Christian!

This is such valuable information for anyone traveling with CalFresh! I'm new to the program and planning my first trip out of state next month to visit family in Utah. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly helpful. I had no idea about potential fraud holds or that the restaurant meals program wouldn't work outside California. The tip about saving the customer service number (1-877-328-9677) is something I definitely wouldn't have thought of. I'm also going to check my card's expiration date now - that would be such a disaster to have it expire while traveling! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. This community is amazing for helping newcomers like me navigate the system. Christian, I hope you have a wonderful time visiting your family in Arizona and Nevada!

This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm also fairly new to CalFresh and had similar concerns about traveling. I'm planning a 2-week visit to see my grandmother in New Mexico this summer, and reading everyone's experiences has really put my mind at ease. The tip about potential fraud holds is especially valuable - I never would have thought about that. I'm definitely going to save that customer service number and double-check my card's expiration date before I go. It's also reassuring to know that the basic SNAP guidelines are the same nationwide, so I won't have to worry about learning different rules in each state. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed and helpful advice! This community is such a great resource for navigating the CalFresh system.

This has been such an educational thread! I'm also planning to travel out of state with my CalFresh benefits for the first time - going to visit my brother in Colorado for about 2 weeks next month. Reading everyone's experiences has been incredibly reassuring. I had no idea about the potential fraud holds, so I'm definitely saving that customer service number now. The tip about checking your card's expiration date before traveling is something I never would have considered but makes total sense. I'm also going to download the BenefitsCal app since several people mentioned how useful it is. It's amazing how much practical knowledge this community shares - from the farmers market restrictions to the gas station EBT acceptance to the hotel mini-fridge tip for storing perishables. Thanks to everyone for being so helpful to those of us who are new to traveling with EBT benefits. Christian, I hope your trip to Arizona and Nevada goes smoothly!

This thread has been so helpful! I'm also new to CalFresh and was worried about using my EBT card when I visit my cousin in Washington state next month. Reading everyone's experiences really puts my mind at ease. The tip about potential fraud holds is something I definitely need to remember - I'll save that customer service number right now. I had no idea that the card would work nationwide! Also really good to know about the restaurant meals program not working outside California since I do qualify for that here. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed advice. Christian, I hope you have an amazing trip visiting your family!

This is such a great community resource! I'm also new to CalFresh and had the same exact question about traveling out of state. I'm planning to visit my sister in Michigan for about 10 days in May and was stressed about whether my card would work there. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially learning about the potential fraud holds and the customer service number to call if that happens. I had no idea the EBT system was nationwide! Also really appreciate the tip about checking my card's expiration date before traveling and downloading the BenefitsCal app. The advice about store apps for price checking is brilliant too. It's so reassuring to see how many people have successfully used their cards in different states without major issues. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this thread should be bookmarked for anyone new to the program who's planning to travel!

This thread is incredibly helpful! As someone who's been on CalFresh for about a year now, I can confirm that using your EBT card out of state really is straightforward. I traveled to my aunt's wedding in Idaho last fall and had zero issues using my card at grocery stores there. The one thing I'd add that I haven't seen mentioned yet is to maybe let someone back home know your travel dates - not for CalFresh purposes, but just in case you do run into that fraud hold situation and need someone to help you call from California or access your account information. Also, if you're driving, rest stops along major highways often have convenience stores that accept EBT for basic items like milk, bread, and snacks, which can be really convenient for road trips. Have a wonderful time with your family in Arizona and Nevada, Christian - sounds like an amazing trip!