EBT cash withdrawal options besides Bank of America - no personal bank account

You have a few options for withdrawing cash from your EBT card besides Bank of America. For FREE withdrawals you can use: 1. Any Golden1 Credit Union ATMs 2. MoneyPass Network ATMs (look for the logo) 3. Allpoint Network ATMs (often found in CVS, Walgreens, Target) 4. Many grocery stores also offer cash back with purchase - Walmart, Food 4 Less, etc. Just remember that this only works if you receive CalWORKs or other cash benefits on your EBT card. Regular CalFresh (food benefits) can't be withdrawn as cash.

U can go 2 any store like walmart or food maxx and buy something small like gum and ask for cashback when u pay, thats what i do. no fees that way. but has 2 be from the CASH part of ur ebt not the food part!!!!!

Just to clarify some important details: 1. You can ONLY withdraw cash if you receive cash benefits (CalWORKs, Refugee Cash Assistance, General Assistance) on your EBT card. The CalFresh (food) portion cannot be withdrawn as cash. 2. The California EBT website (www.ebt.ca.gov) has an ATM locator tool where you can find surcharge-free ATMs near you. You can also download the "ConnectEBT" app which has this feature. 3. For cash withdrawals at non-Bank of America ATMs, you get 4 free withdrawals per month. After that, there's a $1 fee per withdrawal. 4. Cash back at stores is unlimited and always free as long as the store offers it. 5. When using your EBT card, always select "WITHDRAW FROM CASH" not "FOOD" when prompted.

I had this same issue when i moved! It turned out that U can also withdraw at any credit union that has the CO-OP network logo on it. I think theres also select 7-11 atms that dont charge but i tried one once and it still gave me a fee so i don't trust those anymore lol

If you're having trouble finding ATMs, you should try Claimyr.com to get through to an EBT customer service rep right away. They can give you all the surcharge-free ATM locations in your area. I was on hold for hours trying to figure out where to withdraw without fees, but with Claimyr I got through in minutes. There's a video that shows how it works here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. The rep gave me a list of all the free ATMs in my zip code!

I've been on CalFresh for 3 years and let me tell you the system is DESIGNED to make it hard to access your benefits!!! I've had my cash benefits eaten up by ATM fees before I realized what was happening. The "free withdrawal" thing is a JOKE - so many ATMs still charge their OWN fee even if the EBT system doesn't. And good luck finding anyone at the county to explain this clearly!!! 😡😡😡

Hi there, this might be a silly question, but I'm new to the EBT system. How do you know if you have cash benefits vs food benefits? I just got approved for CalFresh but don't know if I have cash on my card too? When I called the number on the back it just gave me one balance. Sorry if this is a dumb question!

Thanks everyone for all the helpful answers! I found a MoneyPass ATM at the CVS near me using the app someone suggested. I was able to withdraw with no fees! And I tried the cash back at Walmart too - super easy and no charge. This has been really helpful since I'm new to the area and was worried about accessing my benefits.

Hey Kingston! Just wanted to add another tip - if you're ever in a pinch and need cash but can't find a free ATM, some Dollar General stores also do cash back with small purchases. I've used this when traveling and it's been a lifesaver. Also, keep in mind that some smaller independent grocery stores might do cash back too, but always ask first since not all of them offer it. The key is finding places that accept EBT and offer cash back services - usually the bigger chain stores are your best bet!

Another option that hasn't been mentioned yet is using ATMs at some tribal casinos if you're near any - many of them are part of the surcharge-free networks. Also, I've found that some Costco locations have ATMs that don't charge fees (though you don't need a membership to use the ATM). And if you're ever downtown in bigger cities, look for credit union ATMs - they're often part of the CO-OP network that someone mentioned. The ConnectEBT app really is your best friend for finding these! One last tip: if you do end up at a fee-charging ATM in an emergency, try to withdraw larger amounts less frequently rather than small amounts multiple times to minimize the total fees.

One thing I learned the hard way is to always keep track of which account you're using! When I first got my EBT card with both CalFresh and General Assistance, I accidentally tried to get cash back using my food benefits at a store and felt so embarrassed when it got declined. The cashier was super understanding though and helped me figure out how to switch to the cash account. Now I always double-check before I swipe - when you put your card in, make sure to select "Withdraw from Cash" or "Cash Benefits" not "Food Benefits" when the screen prompts you. Also, some stores have a limit on how much cash back you can get (usually $40-60 max), so if you need more than that, you might need to make multiple small purchases or find an ATM instead.

Just wanted to add that some Rite Aid and Walgreens locations also have Allpoint ATMs that are fee-free for EBT withdrawals! I've found these really convenient since they're usually open later than banks and there's often one within walking distance. Also, if you're ever near a university campus, many college credit unions have ATMs that are part of the surcharge-free networks too. One more thing - I always recommend keeping the EBT customer service number (1-877-328-9677) saved in your phone. If you're ever unsure about whether an ATM will charge fees, you can call and ask them to verify if a specific location is surcharge-free before you use it. Better safe than sorry when every dollar counts!

One more option that's saved me multiple times - many WinCo Foods locations allow cash back with EBT purchases and they're employee-owned so they tend to be really helpful about explaining the process. Also, if you have a smartphone, you can use the "ATM Hunter" app in addition to ConnectEBT - it shows you ALL ATMs nearby and you can filter by surcharge-free networks. I've noticed that some gas stations (especially larger chains like Shell or Chevron) sometimes have ATMs that are part of the MoneyPass or Allpoint networks, so don't overlook those when you're out and about. Just always look for the network logos on the ATM before inserting your card!

Another great resource I just discovered is the California EBT mobile app (different from ConnectEBT) - you can check your balance and also find participating retailers that offer cash back services in your area. I've been using it to plan my grocery trips around stores that offer cash back so I can get what I need AND access cash at the same time. Also wanted to mention that some Safeway and Vons locations have their own ATMs that are surcharge-free for EBT users, though this can vary by location. One tip that's helped me save money: I always try to combine my cash withdrawal needs with actual shopping I need to do anyway (like buying groceries or household items), so I'm not making special trips just for cash. Makes the whole process more efficient!