How to withdraw cash or transfer money from CalFresh EBT card to bank account?

You can't withdraw cash or transfer funds from a CalFresh EBT card to your bank account. CalFresh benefits are ONLY for purchasing eligible food items. If you had CalWORKs (cash aid), that would allow ATM withdrawals, but CalFresh is specifically for food purchases at approved retailers. The system is designed this way to ensure the benefits are used for their intended purpose - feeding you and your family. Hope that helps clarify things for you!

Hi! Just to clarify what the previous comment said - CalFresh benefits can ONLY be used to buy eligible food items at authorized retailers (grocery stores, farmers markets, some convenience stores). You cannot withdraw cash or transfer the funds to your bank account. The EBT card works like a debit card but only for specific purchases. CalFresh is different from CalWORKs (which is cash aid and CAN be withdrawn). Sounds like you only have food benefits, not cash benefits. Don't worry about asking - lots of people get confused about this when they first get benefits!

Actually I think you CAN get cash back if you shop at places like walmart and do a purchase... not 100% sure tho

I've been on CalFresh for 3 years and here's how it works: 1. You CAN'T take cash out or transfer money to your bank 2. You CAN only use it for food (no alcohol, hot prepared food, household items) 3. You CAN use it at farmers markets (some even give you extra $$ through Market Match) 4. You CAN use it at some places you might not expect like Amazon Fresh, Walmart online, even some CSA farm boxes The system is deliberately set up so you can't convert the benefits to cash. It's food assistance only. If you're having trouble reaching someone at the county to ask questions about your benefits, try Claimyr (claimyr.com). I used their service when I couldn't get through to ask about my recertification, and they got me connected to a live person in about 10 minutes. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 showing how it works. Saved me hours of frustration.

Everyone is right that you can't get cash, but I was surprised to find out how many places actually take EBT these days! Even Costco, Aldi, Trader Joe's, and some dollar stores accept it. You can also use it to buy seeds and plants that produce food which I thought was pretty cool.

Just adding another important thing - make sure you check your EBT balance regularly through the app or by calling the number on the back of your card. Benefits expire after 9 months if you don't use them, which many people don't realize!

One more tip: If your phone has NFC, you might be able to add your EBT card to your mobile wallet (like Apple Pay or Google Pay) depending on your state. Makes it a lot easier than carrying the physical card everywhere.

Just to wrap things up for the original question - CalFresh EBT cards can ONLY be used to purchase eligible food items. You cannot: - Withdraw cash at ATMs - Get cash back during purchases - Transfer funds to a bank account - Use benefits for non-food items This is by design to ensure the benefits are used specifically for nutritional support. Hope this clarifies everything!

Welcome to the community! Just wanted to add that if you're looking for ways to stretch your CalFresh benefits further, check if your area has any double-up programs at farmers markets - some will match your EBT spending on fresh fruits and vegetables, giving you twice the purchasing power. Also, many food banks can supplement your CalFresh benefits with additional groceries if you're still struggling to make ends meet. Don't hesitate to reach out to local resources - there's no shame in using all the help available to you!

Hey Dylan! I'm also pretty new to CalFresh and had the same confusion when I first got my card. Everyone here has given you great info - I just wanted to add that you can actually find a list of all the stores that accept EBT in your area by using the USDA SNAP retailer locator online. It's super helpful for finding places you might not have thought of! Also, if you're shopping at bigger stores like Target or Walmart, just make sure you're only putting eligible food items in your cart since the system will reject non-food items at checkout. Welcome to the program and don't worry - you'll get the hang of it quickly!

Hey Dylan! Welcome to the CalFresh community! I see everyone has already given you great info about not being able to withdraw cash - that was my first question too when I got approved. One thing I learned that might help you is to download the ebtEDGE app if you haven't already. It lets you check your balance, see transaction history, and even find stores near you that accept EBT. Really handy to have on your phone! Also, don't feel bad about asking questions - navigating government programs can be confusing even for people who've been using them for years. This community is super helpful for figuring things out. Good luck with your first shopping trip!

Hey Dylan! Welcome to CalFresh and this community! I'm relatively new to the program myself (about 6 months in) and had the exact same question when I first got my card. Everyone here has given you spot-on advice - no cash withdrawals or transfers, food only. One thing that really helped me when I was starting out was making a list of eligible vs non-eligible items before my first few shopping trips. Things like energy drinks, vitamins, and prepared hot food can't be purchased, but you'd be surprised what IS covered - like protein powder, spices, and even some gift baskets if they're mostly food items. Also, don't stress if you accidentally try to buy something ineligible at checkout - the cashiers are used to it and it's no big deal. Just have them remove the item and continue with your transaction. You'll get comfortable with the system pretty quickly!

Hi Dylan! Welcome to the CalFresh community! I can totally understand the confusion - I had the exact same questions when I first got my card about 8 months ago. Everyone here has already given you excellent advice about not being able to withdraw cash or transfer funds (CalFresh is food-only), but I wanted to add a couple things that helped me when I was starting out: First, if you're ever unsure about whether something is eligible while shopping, most stores have little signs on the shelves that show "EBT" or "SNAP eligible" - super helpful for avoiding checkout surprises! Second, I discovered that some grocery stores offer pickup or delivery services that accept EBT, which can be convenient if you don't always want to shop in person. Don't worry about asking "dumb questions" - we've all been there! This community is really supportive and there's always someone who's had the same experience. You'll get the hang of it in no time. Good luck with your first shopping trip!

Hey Dylan! Welcome to the CalFresh community! I just joined recently too and had so many of the same questions when I first got approved. Everyone here has given you fantastic advice already - you definitely can't withdraw cash or transfer the money, it's strictly for food purchases only. One thing that really helped me was starting small on my first few shopping trips to get comfortable with the process. I'd suggest maybe going to a familiar grocery store first since the checkout process can feel a bit different when you're new to using EBT. Also, keep your receipt! It shows your remaining balance which is super helpful for budgeting your benefits throughout the month. The learning curve isn't too bad - I felt like a pro after just a couple shopping trips. And honestly, this community has been such a lifesaver for questions and tips. Everyone's really supportive here, so don't hesitate to ask if anything else comes up!

Hey Dylan! Welcome to CalFresh and to this awesome community! I'm pretty new here myself (got approved about 4 months ago) and I remember having the exact same confusion about the cash thing. Everyone has already given you perfect advice - definitely no cash withdrawals or transfers, just food purchases. One thing that really helped me when I was starting out was downloading a few apps to make shopping easier. Besides the ebtEDGE app that others mentioned, I also use the Flashfood app - it shows discounted groceries at participating stores, and you can often find great deals on produce and other items that work with EBT. Also, if you have any ethnic grocery stores in your area, definitely check them out! I found that many of them accept EBT and often have really good prices on fresh ingredients. Don't stress about the learning process - honestly after my first couple shopping trips I felt totally comfortable with it. And this community is seriously the best resource for any questions that come up. Everyone here gets it and is super helpful. Good luck with your first grocery run!

Hey Dylan! Welcome to the CalFresh community! I'm also relatively new (got my card about 5 months ago) and had literally the exact same question - I was so confused about why I couldn't just transfer the money to my bank account like with other programs! Everyone here has given you perfect advice already - CalFresh benefits are strictly for food purchases only, no cash withdrawals or transfers possible. It took me a little while to adjust my mindset from thinking of it as "money" to thinking of it as "food credits" if that makes sense. One thing that really helped me was exploring all the different types of stores that accept EBT beyond just regular grocery stores. I was amazed to discover that my local co-op, several farm stands, and even some gas stations with decent food selections accept it. There's also a lot more variety in what counts as "eligible food" than I initially thought - things like cooking oils, spices, nuts, and even some fancy items I thought would be excluded. This community has been incredible for learning tips and tricks to maximize your benefits. Don't hesitate to ask questions - we've all been the confused newcomer at some point! Good luck with your first shopping adventure!

Hey Dylan! Welcome to the CalFresh community! I'm also pretty new to the program (got approved about 3 months ago) and had the exact same questions when I first got my card. Everyone here has already given you amazing advice - you definitely can't withdraw cash or transfer the funds, it's strictly for eligible food purchases only. One thing I wish someone had told me when I started is to take a photo of the list of eligible items (you can find it on the USDA website) and keep it on your phone for reference while shopping. I made the mistake of trying to buy paper towels on my first trip thinking they were food-related and felt pretty embarrassed at checkout! Also, if you're trying to meal plan and budget with your benefits, I found it really helpful to start with simple, versatile ingredients like rice, beans, eggs, and seasonal produce. You can make so many different meals and stretch your benefits further that way. This community has been such a lifesaver for navigating everything - everyone is super understanding and helpful. Don't worry about asking questions, we've all been there! Looking forward to hearing how your first shopping trip goes!

Hey Dylan! Welcome to the CalFresh community and congrats on getting approved! I totally understand the confusion - I had the exact same questions when I first got my card about 6 months ago. Everyone here has already given you spot-on advice that CalFresh is food-only (no cash withdrawals or transfers), but I wanted to add something that really helped me as a newcomer. I'd recommend doing a "practice run" at a smaller store first before tackling a big grocery store. I went to a local corner store that accepts EBT just to get comfortable with the card and the process without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. It made my first real grocery trip so much smoother! Also, one thing I discovered that might interest you - if you have Amazon Prime (or know someone who shares it), you can actually use your EBT benefits for Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods delivery in many areas. Super convenient when you're still learning what's eligible and what's not, since everything in their EBT section is pre-approved. This community has been absolutely invaluable for learning all the tips and tricks. Everyone here really understands the learning curve and is so supportive. Don't hesitate to come back with more questions - we're all here to help each other out!