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

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!

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

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!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!

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!

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! 🎉

One more thing to keep in mind - if you're planning to buy any hot/prepared foods while you're in Nevada, the rules might be slightly different than what you're used to in California. Each state has some variation in what prepared foods are EBT eligible. Most basic groceries (bread, milk, produce, etc.) will be the same everywhere, but just wanted to give you a heads up in case you were planning to grab any deli items or hot foods. Have an amazing time meeting your new nephew! 👶

Just wanted to chime in as someone who works for a grocery chain that operates in both CA and NV - your EBT card will definitely work! We see out-of-state EBT cards all the time and they process just like local ones. The only thing I'd add is that if you're shopping at smaller independent stores (not big chains), sometimes their POS systems might be older and take a few extra seconds to process an out-of-state card, but it's not a big deal. Also, if you have any issues at checkout, don't hesitate to ask the manager - we're trained to handle EBT transactions from all states. Enjoy your trip and congratulations on the new addition to your family!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you're planning to buy baby supplies or formula for your sister while you're there, those are totally EBT eligible! Things like baby formula, baby food, and even some baby cereals can be purchased with your CalFresh benefits. Might be a nice way to help out your sister during her recovery. Also, Nevada has some really great farmers markets that accept EBT if you want to get fresh produce - they often have the double bucks programs too where your EBT dollars go further on fruits and veggies. Have a wonderful time with your new nephew!

Just wanted to add that if you're flying to Nevada, make sure to keep your EBT card easily accessible in your wallet/purse - sometimes when you're traveling and staying somewhere new, it's easy to misplace things or forget where you put important cards! Also, if you're renting a car, many gas stations in Nevada accept EBT for eligible food items (like snacks, drinks, etc.) which can be convenient for road trip munchies. The gas itself obviously isn't EBT eligible, but it's nice to know you can grab approved snacks at the same stop. Have an amazing time meeting your nephew - being an aunt is the best! 🚗✈️

Just a heads up - if you're planning to use your EBT card at any casino convenience stores or hotel shops in Nevada, some of them have restrictions on EBT purchases even for eligible items. I learned this the hard way when I was in Reno last year! Regular grocery stores and pharmacies are totally fine though. Also, since you mentioned you'll be there for 10 days helping your sister, you might want to look into WIC stores too if she's breastfeeding - they often have great deals on healthy foods that you can buy with your CalFresh benefits to help stock her kitchen. Hope you have an amazing time with your new nephew! 💙

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who travels between CA and NV frequently for family visits! Your EBT card will work perfectly fine at all the major grocery stores like Smith's, Albertsons, and Walmart. One tip I'd add is to let your bank know you'll be traveling if you have a debit card linked to the same account - sometimes they flag unusual activity even though EBT itself doesn't have those restrictions. Also, if you're flying into Las Vegas, the airport actually has a few shops that accept EBT for eligible snacks and drinks, which is convenient if you get hungry during layovers. Have a wonderful time meeting your nephew and helping your sister - being an aunt is such a special role! 🛫👶

Just wanted to add something that might be helpful since you'll be there for 10 days - if you're planning to do any meal prep or bulk shopping to help your sister stock up while she recovers, Nevada has some great warehouse stores like Costco and Sam's Club that accept EBT! You can't use EBT for the membership fees, but once you're in (maybe your sister has a membership or you can go as her guest), you can use your CalFresh benefits for eligible bulk items. This could be a really cost-effective way to help her get stocked up on essentials like rice, beans, pasta, frozen vegetables, etc. Plus buying in bulk means fewer shopping trips for her once the baby arrives. Congratulations on becoming an aunt - such an exciting time! 🎉

This thread has been so helpful! I'm also planning to travel out of state with my EBT card soon (going to visit family in Oregon) and I had the same concerns. It's reassuring to see how many people have successfully used their California EBT cards in other states without issues. I especially appreciate the tips about checking SAR7 dates, downloading the SNAP Retailer Locator app, and being prepared for potential fraud alerts. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is amazing for getting real-world advice! @Sofía Rodríguez hope you have a wonderful time meeting your nephew! 👶

This is such a comprehensive thread! I just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - if you're planning to use any rideshare services or delivery apps while you're in Nevada, some of them are starting to accept EBT for grocery delivery (like Amazon Fresh, Walmart+, etc.). This could be super convenient if you want to have groceries delivered to your sister's place without having to make multiple trips to the store with a newborn around. The availability varies by area, but Nevada has pretty good coverage for EBT-eligible delivery services. Just thought it might be another helpful option for stocking up her kitchen! Have the most amazing time meeting your nephew! 🚗📱

I'm a caseworker in Fresno County and wanted to jump in to confirm what others have said - your EBT card will absolutely work in Nevada! The federal SNAP program is designed to work seamlessly across all 50 states. You don't need to notify us for short trips like yours, and 10 days is definitely not long enough to affect your California residency or benefits. One thing I always tell my clients is to make sure your contact information is up to date in BenefitsCal before you travel, just in case we need to reach you about anything urgent. Also, double-check that you have enough benefits loaded on your card for the trip - sometimes people forget to account for buying groceries in a different state when budgeting their monthly benefits. Have a wonderful time with your new nephew and congratulations to your sister! Being an aunt is such a special experience. 🍼