Can you withdraw cash from CalFresh EBT cards? Confused about SNAP vs. Cash benefits

CalFresh (SNAP) benefits CANNOT be cashed out or withdrawn as actual money. The funds on your EBT card from CalFresh can ONLY be used to purchase eligible food items at authorized retailers. However, if your cousin also gets CalWORKs (cash aid), then yes, THAT portion of benefits can be withdrawn from ATMs. The same EBT card is used for both programs, but they're completely separate accounts on the card. She should check her approval notice - it will specifically say which program(s) she was approved for.

Just adding that she should look into getting CalWORKs too if she's a single mom. She can apply for that separately, and then she WOULD be able to get cash from her EBT card. The CalWORKs money can be used for anything - clothes, rent, gas, whatever she needs.

I made this mistake when I first got benefits!!! Tried to get cash from an ATM with my CalFresh EBT and it didn't work. The lady behind me in line explained that SNAP benefits are ONLY for food. So embarrassing. Tell your cousin to check which stores accept EBT near her on the CalFresh website. Lots of places take it including farmers markets which is awesome for fresh produce.

If she needs to shop at stores that don't accept EBT, she should try to plan ahead and buy shelf-stable items with her CalFresh at grocery stores, then save her cash for the other stores. That's what I do - use 100% of food budget on EBT, then have more cash for other expenses.

To be super clear about this: 1. CalFresh (SNAP) = FOOD ONLY, no cash withdrawals 2. CalWORKs = CASH BENEFITS, can withdraw at ATMs 3. Same EBT card is used for both programs 4. They're separate accounts on the card If she's struggling to reach someone at the county to apply for CalWORKs too, she might want to try Claimyr (claimyr.com). I discovered it last month when I was trying to update my case. They help you skip the phone wait times to reach a live person at the benefits office. Saved me literally hours of waiting. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8

everyone here is right but also FYI if she has calworks and wants to get cash she should check which ATMs don't charge fees!!! some banks waive the ATM fees for EBT but others charge like $3 each time you withdraw which is ridiculous when ur already struggling

just be careful bcuz they can kick u off CalFresh if they suspect ur trying to convert benefits to cash!! my neighbor got in trouble for buying food for people and they paid her cash. they call it trafficking and its a serious violation!

btw has ur cousin checked if she qualifies for WIC too??? if she has a baby she probably does and WIC gives specific foods like formula, milk, cereal, etc ON TOP OF whatever CalFresh she gets!

Just wanted to add that your cousin should also know about the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) if she qualifies! Since she's a single mom, she might be eligible to use her EBT card at certain restaurants that participate in the program. Not all counties offer it, but it's worth checking. It can be really helpful when you're dealing with a toddler and don't have time to cook. She can search for participating restaurants on the CalFresh website or call her county office to ask about RMP availability in her area.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! As someone who's also navigating benefits as a new parent, I just wanted to add that your cousin should definitely save the phone number for her county's CalFresh office in her contacts. Even though calling can mean long wait times (like others mentioned with the Claimyr tip), it's good to have direct access for urgent questions about her case. Also, if she ever moves within California, she needs to report the address change within 10 days to avoid any disruption in benefits. The good news is she can often update her address online through her county's website or by calling, so she doesn't necessarily have to go in person. Moving with a toddler is stressful enough without worrying about losing food benefits! I learned this when I had to move suddenly and almost had my benefits suspended because I forgot to update my address in time.