Can I withdraw CalFresh EBT funds at Chase or BofA if I don't have an account there?

You should be able to use your EBT card at almost any ATM that displays the Quest logo for cash withdrawals, but there are a few things to know. If your CalFresh EBT card also has cash benefits on it (like CalWORKs), you can withdraw from those benefits at most ATMs, including Chase and Bank of America - no account needed. However, regular CalFresh (food only) benefits cannot be withdrawn as cash. First, check if you actually have cash benefits on your card by checking your balance at the EBT website or phone line. Also, some ATMs charge a fee for non-customers, typically $2-3 per transaction.

I want to clarify something important - CalFresh benefits are for food ONLY and cannot be withdrawn as cash at any ATM. If you can withdraw cash, you likely have CalWORKs or General Assistance benefits on the same EBT card. These are different programs with different rules. For the CalFresh portion, you can only use it at authorized food retailers. For the cash portion, you can withdraw at most ATMs with the Quest logo, but watch out for fees. Bank of America has a contract with California for EBT services, so their ATMs often have lower fees for EBT withdrawals.

Just to add to what others have said - I've been able to use my EBT card at Walmart and grocery stores to get cash back with purchase. So if you're already buying groceries with your CalFresh benefits, you can also get some cash from your cash benefits at the same time without ATM fees. Just select cash back during the transaction.

I struggled SO MUCH with my EBT card when I first got it! The whole system is confusing. Bank of America is definitely your best bet for withdrawing cash benefits (NOT CalFresh food benefits, which others already explained). They have a special arrangement with California for EBT services, so most of their ATMs don't charge fees for EBT transactions. Chase WILL charge you like $3.50 every time! Also, make sure you know your PIN - if you don't remember it, you'll need to call the EBT customer service line to reset it before trying to withdraw.

When I was having trouble getting through to anyone about my EBT card issues, I used this service called Claimyr that helped me skip the wait time when calling the county benefits office. Might be useful if you need to talk to someone directly about your specific situation: claimyr.com. There's a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Really helped me when I was confused about the whole EBT system and couldn't get anyone on the phone.

I know this isnt what u asked but dont 4get u can check ur EBT balance and transaction history online at www.ebt.ca.gov or on the CalFresh mobile app! helped me alot when i was confused about how much I had left and where I could use it.

To summarize what everyone has shared: 1. CalFresh benefits (food portion) CANNOT be withdrawn as cash 2. Cash benefits (CalWORKs/General Assistance) CAN be withdrawn at ATMs 3. Bank of America ATMs typically have lower/no fees for EBT withdrawals 4. You can get cash back at stores when making purchases to avoid ATM fees 5. The first 4 withdrawals each month are usually fee-free Also, if you continue to have issues with your card not working, you might need to call the EBT Customer Service line at 1-877-328-9677 to check if there's a problem with your card.

Just wanted to add that if you're still having trouble with your SchoolsFirst FCU ATMs not accepting your EBT card, it might be worth calling them directly to ask if they support EBT transactions. Some credit unions have limited ATM networks that don't process EBT cards even if they're part of larger networks. Also, look for the Quest logo on ATMs - that's usually the best indicator that an ATM will accept your EBT card. Good luck with getting your cash benefits sorted out!

I had a similar issue when I first got my EBT card! One thing that helped me was downloading the "ebtEDGE" app (it's the official California EBT app) which shows you a map of nearby ATMs that accept EBT cards. It also breaks down your balance between food benefits and cash benefits so you know exactly what you can withdraw. The app saved me from going to ATMs that don't work with EBT. Also, if you're near a Vons or Safeway, their ATMs usually don't charge fees for EBT withdrawals either. Hope this helps!

As someone who's been using EBT for about 6 months now, I can confirm what others have said about Bank of America being your best bet for fee-free withdrawals. One thing I learned the hard way is that you should always check your receipt after withdrawing cash - sometimes the ATM will show a fee on the screen but then waive it for EBT transactions, so don't panic if you see a fee listed initially. Also, if you're planning to do laundry, many laundromats near me actually accept EBT cards directly for their change machines now, which is super convenient! You might want to call ahead and ask if the laundromats in your area offer this service.

I've been using EBT for over a year now and wanted to share a few additional tips that might help! First, if you're having trouble with your SchoolsFirst FCU ATMs, it's likely because many credit unions don't have EBT processing agreements even if they're part of larger ATM networks. For cash withdrawals from your cash benefits (not CalFresh food benefits), I've found that CVS and Walgreens pharmacy locations often have ATMs that accept EBT with minimal fees. Also, if you ever need to replace a lost or damaged EBT card, you can request a replacement online through the EBT website rather than waiting on hold with customer service. One last thing - keep your receipts from ATM withdrawals for at least a month in case there are any discrepancies with your account balance. The EBT system sometimes has delays in updating, so having those receipts can help resolve any issues quickly. Welcome to the community and don't hesitate to ask if you have more questions!

Welcome to the community! I see you've gotten some excellent advice already. Just wanted to add that when I first started using my EBT card, I made the mistake of trying to withdraw food benefits as cash too - it's such a common confusion for new recipients! One thing that really helped me was calling the EBT customer service line (1-877-328-9677) when I first got my card to have them walk me through exactly what benefits I had and how to use each type. They can also tell you if there are any holds or issues with your card that might be preventing it from working at certain ATMs. Also, don't feel bad about being new to this system - it really is confusing at first, but you'll get the hang of it quickly. The community here is super helpful, so feel free to ask questions anytime!

Hi Summer! I've been using EBT for about 8 months now and wanted to share a quick tip that might help with your SchoolsFirst FCU situation. Even though their ATMs don't work for EBT, you can actually go inside the credit union during business hours and do a cash advance at the teller window using your EBT card for your cash benefits - many credit unions offer this service even if their ATMs don't support EBT. Just bring your card and ID! Also, I noticed you mentioned needing cash for laundry - if you have a smartphone, there are apps like "ATM Hunter" that specifically show EBT-friendly ATMs near you with fee information, which has saved me tons of time and money. The learning curve is steep at first but you're asking all the right questions!

Hi Summer! I'm also pretty new to EBT (got my card about 3 weeks ago) and had the exact same confusion at first! Just wanted to add that if you're ever unsure about which ATMs will work, most grocery stores like Albertsons, Ralphs, and even some smaller markets have ATMs inside that accept EBT cards. I've found these are usually more reliable than bank ATMs and often have lower fees. Also, when I was first figuring everything out, I found it helpful to write down my PIN and keep it separate from my card until I memorized it - I was so nervous about forgetting it and getting locked out! One more thing - if you're ever at a store and not sure if they accept EBT, just look for the "Quest" logo near the card reader or ask the cashier. Most places that take debit cards also take EBT, but it's always good to double-check. Good luck with everything!

Hey Summer! I've been on CalFresh for about two years now and wanted to share something that might help with your specific situation. Since you mentioned banking with SchoolsFirst FCU, you might want to try using ATMs at other credit unions that are part of the CO-OP network - many of them do accept EBT cards even when your home credit union's ATMs don't. I've had good luck with Navy Federal and Patelco ATMs in the past. Also, just a heads up that some ATMs will show your food benefits balance when you check, but remember you can only withdraw from the cash portion. If you're ever unsure about your balance breakdown, you can text your EBT card number to 369-369 and it'll send you both balances via text message - super convenient when you're standing at an ATM! The whole system definitely takes some getting used to, but you're asking all the right questions and this community is great for ongoing support.

Hi Summer! I just wanted to add something that really helped me when I was new to EBT - if you're ever in a situation where you need cash urgently and can't find a fee-free ATM, some Dollar General and Family Dollar stores actually allow you to get cash back when you make a small purchase with your cash benefits (not food benefits). I've done this a few times when I was in a pinch and needed laundry money but all the nearby ATMs were charging fees. You just need to buy something small like a pack of gum or a drink, and then you can get cash back up to your daily withdrawal limit. It's not ideal since you have to make a purchase, but sometimes it's more convenient than hunting for the right ATM. Also, just wanted to echo what everyone else has said about this community being super supportive - I was so lost when I first got my benefits, but the people here really helped me figure everything out. Don't hesitate to keep asking questions as they come up!

Hey Summer! I've been using EBT for about a year and wanted to share one more tip that might help - if you're ever traveling or in an unfamiliar area, 7-Eleven stores usually have ATMs that accept EBT cards and the fees are typically reasonable (around $2.50). I've found this really helpful when I'm away from my usual Bank of America locations. Also, just wanted to mention that if you ever have issues with your card being declined or not working properly, sometimes it helps to clean the magnetic strip with a soft cloth - I learned this the hard way when my card kept getting rejected at multiple ATMs and it turned out it was just dirty! The EBT system can be really overwhelming at first, but you're doing great by asking questions and learning from everyone's experiences. Welcome to the community!

Hi Summer! Welcome to the community! I see you've gotten tons of great advice already, but I wanted to add one more thing that really helped me when I first got my EBT card. If you're still having issues with SchoolsFirst FCU ATMs, you can also try using ATMs at grocery stores like Food 4 Less or WinCo - they often have better EBT compatibility than smaller credit union ATMs. Also, I learned that you can call the EBT customer service line and ask them to email you a list of fee-free ATMs in your specific zip code, which saved me a lot of trial and error when I was first figuring out where I could withdraw cash without fees. The whole system is definitely confusing at first, but you're asking all the right questions and this community is amazing for ongoing support. Don't hesitate to come back with more questions as you get more familiar with using your benefits!

Hi Summer! I'm relatively new to EBT myself (got my card about 2 months ago) and I totally understand your confusion - the system is definitely not intuitive at first! I wanted to add one more option that's worked really well for me: Costco and Sam's Club ATMs. If you have a membership or know someone who does, their ATMs typically don't charge fees for EBT cash withdrawals and they're usually less crowded than bank ATMs. Also, I learned that you can actually check which specific ATMs near you are EBT-compatible by calling 1-888-EBT-PENN (1-888-328-7366) - they have an automated system that lets you enter your zip code and it'll give you a list of nearby fee-free options. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier is that your first transaction of the day at any ATM will usually tell you both your food balance and cash balance, so you don't have to guess which benefits you can withdraw. The learning curve is steep but you're already getting such great advice from everyone here. This community has been a lifesaver for navigating all the little details that no one explains when you first get approved!

Hi Summer! Welcome to the EBT community! I see you've gotten incredible advice already, but I wanted to share one more resource that really helped me when I first started navigating the system. If you're having ongoing issues with ATM compatibility, you might want to try downloading the "Allpoint" app - it's an ATM locator that specifically filters for surcharge-free ATMs that accept EBT cards. I've found it more reliable than some of the other apps mentioned for finding ATMs that actually work with EBT. Also, just wanted to add that many Rite Aid pharmacy locations have ATMs that are EBT-friendly with reasonable fees, and they're often in more convenient neighborhood locations than the bigger banks. The whole EBT system definitely has a learning curve, but you're asking all the right questions and this community is fantastic for ongoing support. Don't feel overwhelmed by all the information - just try one or two suggestions at a time and you'll quickly figure out what works best for your specific situation and location!