High EBT withdrawal limit at US Bank? Sharing my $1,360 cash-out experience

Hey, just to clarify - CalFresh benefits (food stamps) can't be withdrawn as cash. They can only be used to purchase eligible food items. What you're describing sounds like you're withdrawing from CalWORKs (cash aid) benefits, which is different from CalFresh. The two programs use the same EBT card but are completely separate benefits with different rules.

I BEEN TELLING PPL ABOUT US BANK FOR YRS!!! Their ATMs dont charge fees for EBT and have higher limits. Other banks will charge u $2-3 PER TRANSACTION which is STEALING from poor ppl imo. But careful withdrawing all at once, if your card gets stolen after u might have to wait til next month for replacement benefits.

The maximum withdrawal limit for CalWORKs (cash aid) depends on both the bank's ATM limits and your available balance. US Bank does typically have higher limits than many other banks. However, you should be aware that there are potentially better options than cash withdrawals: 1. You can use your EBT card like a debit card at many stores for no fee 2. Some banks offer direct deposit of CalWORKs benefits to your regular checking account 3. You can request a bank-to-bank transfer in some cases This avoids the risk of carrying large amounts of cash. If you need to pay rent, I'd recommend asking your landlord if they accept other payment methods.

To set up direct deposit for CalWORKs, you need to contact your county office and complete a direct deposit form. You'll need your bank account and routing numbers. Not all counties process these quickly though, and sometimes getting through to a worker can take forever. I recently found a service called Claimyr that helps you reach a real person at the county office faster. It basically navigates the phone system for you and gets you in the callback queue without the usual wait. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 that shows how it works. Saved me hours when I needed to update my banking info for direct deposit.

I just want to add that if you're using CalWORKs to pay rent, you might qualify for housing assistance programs too. Many people don't realize they can get both. Check with your county worker about Housing Support Program (HSP) or other rent assistance that wouldn't deplete your cash aid.

my landlord used to require cash too its so annoying. i started using money orders from the post office instead, they only cost like $1.45 and most landlords accept them. safer than carrying cash around.

Be careful with large cash withdrawals! My sister had her entire CalWORKs payment stolen last year after making a big withdrawal. And when she reported it to the county, they basically told her "too bad" because once cash is withdrawn, there's no way to verify it was stolen. Just a warning to others - maybe do smaller withdrawals or use the card directly for purchases when possible.

us bank is the best for ebt stuff they never give me problems and the tellers r actually nice lol not like wells fargo where they look at u like ur trash when u use ebt card

Just wanted to share another tip - if you have a smartphone, you can also check your EBT balance before going to the ATM by calling the customer service number on the back of your card or using the ebtEDGE mobile app. This way you know exactly how much you can withdraw and don't get surprised at the ATM. Also, some grocery stores like Walmart and Target let you get cash back when you make a purchase with your CalWORKs benefits, which might be more convenient than finding a specific bank's ATM.

Just a heads up for everyone - if you're dealing with CalWORKs cash aid, make sure you understand the reporting requirements! If you get a large sum like $1,360 and don't spend it right away, you might need to report it as an asset on your next SAR7 form. Cash assets over certain limits can affect your eligibility. I learned this the hard way when I saved some of my cash aid for an emergency and almost got in trouble for not reporting it. The rules are confusing but it's better to ask your worker about asset limits than risk losing benefits.