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Sofía Rodríguez

Can I use my California EBT/CalFresh card in Nevada? Traveling soon!

Hey everyone! I'm planning a trip to Nevada in a few weeks to visit my sister who just had a baby. I'll probably be there for about 10 days and I'm wondering if my California EBT card will work there for groceries? Do I need to notify my caseworker before leaving the state? This is my first time traveling out of state since getting CalFresh benefits and I don't want to run into any issues when trying to buy food. Thanks in advance for any help!

Yes, your California EBT card will work in Nevada! You can use your CalFresh benefits in any state in the US. The stores accept the same EBT payment system nationwide. You don't need to notify your caseworker for a short trip like that either. Just use your card like normal at any store that accepts EBT/SNAP (most major grocery stores, Walmart, Target, etc). Enjoy your trip!

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Oh that's such a relief! Thank you for the quick response. Do you know if there are any restrictions on what I can buy in other states compared to California?

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ya it works fine i went to vegas last summer and used mine at albertsons and 7-11 no issues at all

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Thanks! Good to know 7-11 takes it too, might be helpful for quick snacks.

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Your EBT card will work BUT make sure you're careful about your recertification and SAR7 dates!!! My cousin went to Oregon for 3 weeks and came back to find out she missed an important document deadline and they discontinued her benefits. Had to reapply all over again. Just check your dates before you leave!!

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Omg I didn't even think about that! My SAR7 is due next month but I should be back by then. I'll double check all my paperwork before I leave.

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Yes your California EBT will work in Nevada and any other state. One thing to be careful about though - if you're gone for more than 30 days, that could potentially affect your residency status for CalFresh. Since you said it's just for 10 days, you're totally fine. No need to report anything. Also keep in mind that while you can use your card anywhere that accepts EBT, the Restaurant Meals Program is California-specific. So if you're on that program, you won't be able to use your benefits at restaurants in Nevada.

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That's good to know about the 30 day rule. And thanks for mentioning the Restaurant Meals Program - I'm not on that, so shouldn't be an issue. Appreciate the help!

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I used mine in Arizona three months ago and it worked but the cashier gave me a weird look lol. Just have your ID ready in case they ask but they probably won't.

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They shouldn't be asking for ID just for using an out-of-state EBT card. That's not a requirement. The benefits are federal even though they're administered by the state. The only time you need ID is when applying for benefits, not when using them.

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Hey I travel between CA and NV all the time for work and use my EBT in both places. Sometimes the Nevada stores won't know what items are EBT eligible in CA vs NV (like energy drinks) but for the most part it's the same. The only annoying thing is that sometimes you have to call about suspicious activity if you don't normally use it in Nevada but then it gets cleared right away.

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That's good to know! I'll make sure to bring another payment method just in case there are any issues. Thanks for the heads up about the fraud alerts.

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Something important that hasn't been mentioned - while you can absolutely use your CalFresh benefits in Nevada, make sure you don't miss any important communications while you're away. If you've set up electronic notifications in BenefitsCal, you should be fine. But if you still get paper notices, you might miss something important. Also, if you need to contact your county worker while you're in Nevada, consider using Claimyr (claimyr.com). It's a service that helps you get through to CalFresh workers without the long hold times. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 that shows how it works. I used it when I was out of state and needed to address an urgent issue with my case.

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Thanks for the suggestion! I have set up electronic notifications, but I'll double check before I leave. And thanks for the Claimyr recommendation - I'll check out that video. The hold times are always terrible when I need to call my county office.

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WAIT are u staying with ur sister the WHOLE time?? just be careful because technically the CalFresh office might consider that as her "providing meals" for you and if they found out they might say you should have reported it!! The rules are so stupid sometimes!!

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This is incorrect information. Visiting family for 10 days doesn't affect your CalFresh eligibility or require reporting. You only need to report if someone permanently moves into or out of your household, or if your income changes significantly (going over the Income Reporting Threshold). A temporary visit doesn't count as someone providing your meals in a way that affects benefits.

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Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I feel much better about my trip now. Just to summarize what I learned: - My CA EBT card will work fine in Nevada - No need to notify my caseworker for a short 10-day trip - Need to be aware of my SAR7 and recertification dates - Restaurant Meals Program doesn't work outside CA (not an issue for me) - Might get fraud alerts if the card is suddenly used in Nevada - Should keep checking BenefitsCal for any notifications Really appreciate all the help!

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have fun on ur trip!! vegas is awesome if ur going there

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Just wanted to add one more tip - download the SNAP Retailer Locator app or check the USDA website before you go! It shows you all the stores in Nevada that accept EBT so you can plan your grocery stops ahead of time. Super helpful when you're in an unfamiliar area and don't want to waste time driving around looking for places that take your card. Safe travels and congrats on becoming an aunt! 🎉

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