Can you use EBT card as proof of income for car insurance discounts? CalFresh recipients

i dont think ebt counts for that...they usually want paystubs or tax forms. my geico guy said something about califnia having a low income car insurance program tho

EBT isn't technically proof of income - it's proof you receive benefits. Insurance companies need to see your actual income documentation (pay stubs, tax returns, or award letters showing benefit amounts). However, California does have a special program called California's Low Cost Auto Insurance Program (CLCA) specifically designed for low-income drivers. If you qualify for CalFresh, you'll likely qualify for that too. Their rates are MUCH lower than regular insurance. Check it out at mylowcostauto.com

I tried using my EBT card as proof last year with Progressive and they didn't accept it. They wanted my actual award letter from the county that shows my income qualification. But honestly the Low Cost program mentioned above is waaay better if u qualify.

I work for an insurance company (not saying which one), and I can tell you we NEVER accept EBT cards as income verification - it doesn't show your actual income amount, just that you receive benefits. What you want to ask for is either: 1. The low-income car insurance program (CLCA) - you'll need your actual CalFresh approval letter showing income 2. Ask about "affinity discounts" - some companies give discounts for being in certain assistance programs but they need official documentation If you're having trouble getting through to your county to get a new copy of your approval letter showing income verification, try using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They can help you skip the phone wait times to reach a person at CalFresh who can send you proper income verification documents. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 that shows how it works.

I TRIED USING MY EBT AND THEY LAUGHED AT ME!!!! Then I had to pay $300/month for basic coverage because they considered me "high risk" without proper income docs. The whole system is RIGGED against low income people. Why should we have to jump through more hoops just to drive legally?? The county never gives us the right paperwork anyway and then we get penalized for it.

kind of related but my cousin used her calfresh approval letter (not the ebt card) to get a discount on her car insurance with AAA. she said she had to ask specifically for their low-income program tho, they didnt offer it automatically

To clarify some misunderstandings here: Your EBT card itself isn't accepted as income verification for anything official - it's just a payment card. What you need is your CalFresh/SNAP eligibility notice which shows your household size, verified income, and benefit amount. That document is acceptable for most low-income programs including CLCA insurance. Also, when you applied for CalFresh, you already submitted all your income verification (pay stubs, bank statements, etc.) to the county. Instead of gathering all those documents again, just request a "Verification of Benefits" letter from your county CalFresh office. This is an official document specifically designed for situations where you need to prove your income/benefit status to other organizations.

Just a heads up that when I got approved for the California Low Cost Auto program with my CalFresh documents, they still asked about my driving record. Had a speeding ticket from 2 years ago and it affected my rate. So it's not just about income.

I actually work at a county CalFresh office and wanted to clarify something important - you can request what's called a "Benefits Verification Letter" online through your county's portal in most cases, which is much faster than calling. This letter shows your approval status, household income used for eligibility, and benefit amount. It's the official document insurance companies need, not the EBT card itself. For car insurance specifically, I'd definitely recommend trying the California Low Cost Auto Insurance Program first since CalFresh recipients automatically meet the income requirements. The coverage is basic but legitimate and way cheaper than regular insurance. Just make sure you have a clean driving record to get the best rates!