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CalFresh (SNAP) benefits CANNOT be cashed out or withdrawn as actual money.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 However, if your cousin also gets CalWORKs (cash aid), then yes, THAT portion of benefits can be withdrawn from ATMs.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.

Your cousin should also know that some stores like Target and Walmart have separate entrances/sections for their grocery areas where EBT is accepted, even if the main store doesn't take it for non-food items. This might help her shop more efficiently in one location. Also, if she's ever unsure about what items are EBT-eligible, she can ask the cashier to run the card first - it will only deduct for approved items and she can pay cash for the rest in the same transaction. This way she doesn't have to worry about accidentally trying to buy something that's not covered.

One more thing that might help your cousin - she should download the Fresh EBT app on her phone! It's super helpful for tracking her CalFresh balance so she knows exactly how much she has left each month. The app also shows nearby stores that accept EBT and has a feature where you can scan barcodes to check if specific items are eligible before you get to checkout. Really takes the guesswork out of shopping with EBT benefits. Plus it sends notifications when her monthly benefits are loaded onto the card, which is nice for budgeting purposes.

Adding to all the great advice here - your cousin should also know that some grocery stores offer online ordering with EBT payment for pickup or delivery! Walmart, Amazon Fresh (in select areas), and some other retailers now accept EBT for online grocery orders. This can be super helpful with a toddler since she can shop from home and just pick up the groceries. Amazon even offers free delivery on EBT orders over $35 in many areas. Just make sure she selects only EBT-eligible items when ordering online - the websites usually have filters to show only approved products. This could save her a lot of time and stress shopping with a little one in tow!

Just want to emphasize something really important that might not be obvious to your cousin - even though she can't withdraw cash from her CalFresh benefits, she should NEVER let anyone offer to "buy her groceries with cash" in exchange for using her EBT card. I've seen people get approached in grocery store parking lots with offers like this, and it's actually benefit trafficking which can get her permanently banned from the program. The penalties are really severe, and as a single mom she can't afford to lose these benefits. Make sure she knows to always swipe her own card and only buy food for her own household. Better to be safe and keep her benefits secure!

Your cousin should also check if her county has any CalFresh outreach programs or nutrition education classes! Many counties offer free classes that teach you how to maximize your food budget, meal planning with CalFresh benefits, and even cooking classes. Some programs also provide additional resources like free recipes, shopping lists, and tips for eating healthy on a tight budget. The classes are usually designed for parents and often provide childcare or are kid-friendly. She can call 211 or check her county's website to see what's available in her area. It's a great way to connect with other families in similar situations and learn practical skills for making the most of her benefits.

Your cousin should also know about the CalFresh Healthy Living program if it's available in her county! Many areas offer additional benefits like vouchers for fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets (called Market Match or similar programs). Some counties also partner with food banks and pantries that specifically serve CalFresh recipients with extra food assistance. Since she's a single mom, she might also qualify for emergency food assistance if she ever runs short before her monthly benefits reload. I'd suggest she contact her local food bank to see what supplemental programs are available - many have special programs for families with young children that provide things like baby food, diapers, and formula alongside regular food assistance. Every little bit helps when you're stretching a tight budget!

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is that your cousin should keep all her EBT receipts! This is super important for a few reasons. First, if there's ever a dispute about her balance or a transaction, she'll have proof of what she purchased. Second, if she ever needs to report issues with her card or benefits not loading correctly, the receipts help document her spending patterns. And third, keeping receipts helps with budgeting - she can track exactly how much she's spending on different types of food and see where she might be able to stretch her benefits further. I learned this the hard way when my card got compromised and I had no way to prove which transactions were legitimate. Now I always keep my EBT receipts in a separate envelope at home for at least a month. It's a small habit that can save a lot of headaches later!

Another thing your cousin should know is that she can use her CalFresh EBT card to buy seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat! This includes vegetable seeds, herb plants, tomato plants, fruit trees, etc. It's a lesser-known benefit but can be a great way to stretch her food budget long-term, especially if she has any outdoor space or even just a sunny window for growing herbs. Many garden centers and even some grocery stores accept EBT for these items. Obviously with a toddler she might not have much time for gardening right now, but even growing some basic herbs like basil or parsley in pots can save money and add fresh flavor to meals. Just make sure the plants are specifically for producing food - decorative flowers and houseplants don't qualify under EBT rules.

Just wanted to add that if your cousin does end up applying for CalWORKs cash assistance, she should know that there's usually a separate interview process for that program. The good news is that if she's already receiving CalFresh, some of the paperwork and verification documents might carry over, which can speed things up. Also, CalWORKs has work requirements and time limits that CalFresh doesn't have, so she should make sure she understands those rules before applying. The cash benefits can be really helpful for things like rent, utilities, and other necessities that EBT can't cover, but it's important to know what's expected to maintain eligibility. Her caseworker can explain all the details if she decides to pursue it.

Just to add one more important point - your cousin should also be aware that her CalFresh benefits will reload on the same day each month (usually between the 1st and 10th depending on her case number), so she can plan her grocery shopping around that schedule. The exact date should be on her approval letter or she can check it through the Fresh EBT app that someone mentioned earlier. It's really helpful to know this timing, especially toward the end of the month when benefits might be running low. She can also set up text alerts through the EBT customer service line to get notified when her benefits are loaded each month. This way she won't have to keep checking her balance or worry about when the money will be available for grocery shopping.