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 However, regular CalFresh (food only) benefits cannot be withdrawn as cash.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I want to clarify something important - CalFresh benefits are for food ONLY and cannot be withdrawn as cash at any ATM.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.