Is it legal to get CalFresh benefits via prepaid cards instead of EBT? Confused about alternatives

that doesnt work, its totally illegal. calfresh HAS to go on ebt card, thats just how it is. my friend tried something like that and almost got kicked off the program for fraud. dont mess with it!

CalFresh benefits can ONLY be issued on an EBT card - this is a federal requirement, not just California. What your cousin is suggesting could be considered benefits trafficking and might lead to disqualification from the program. Transferring benefits to any other payment system is prohibited. Regarding your damaged card issue: You can request a replacement EBT card through the EBT customer service line (1-877-328-9677) or through your BenefitsCal account. They can usually rush delivery if you explain it's an emergency food situation. You can also request a spare card to keep in a safe place for emergencies.

i used to work at the county and what everyone is saying is RIGHT... u cant transfer to prepaid cards BUT what u can do is set up a PIN that ur less likely to forget! so many ppl lock themselves out. also keep ur card in a plastic sleeve. they get damaged SO easily its crazy

Just to offer a useful approach for your card damage problem - I've had success requesting a replacement card through BenefitsCal website which was faster than calling sometimes. But the absolute fastest way to get help with EBT issues is using Claimyr. It's a service that gets you through to a live CalFresh worker within minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. I used it last time my card wasn't working and got a replacement expedited. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8

My caseworker told me a while back that what ur cousin is suggesting is BENEFITS TRAFFICKING and its a huge no-no. ppl have gotten permanently disqualified for that. stick with the regular EBT card!! just keep it in a safe spot, thats what i do. ive had the same card for 3 yrs

When my EBT card got stolen last year, I learned you can use the BenefitsCal app to freeze your card immediately! Then when you get your replacement, you can unfreeze it through the app. Made me feel a lot safer. But yeah, what your cousin said is definitely NOT allowed and could get you in serious trouble.

I wonder if your cousin is confusing CalFresh with other benefits. Some cash assistance programs DO allow direct deposit to bank accounts or prepaid cards, but CalFresh (food stamps) absolutely cannot be transferred to anything except the official EBT card. It's part of the federal SNAP regulations. I've been on CalFresh for 5 years and it's always been this way. For your card issues - have you tried the plastic protective sleeves? They sell them on Amazon specifically for EBT cards and they've saved mine from my toddler's sticky fingers multiple times!

I'm so glad you asked this question here before trying it! Everyone is absolutely right - transferring CalFresh benefits to prepaid cards or apps like Venmo is completely illegal and could result in permanent disqualification from the program. The USDA requires all SNAP/CalFresh benefits to stay on the official EBT system. For your card replacement issues, here's what has worked for me: when you call 1-877-328-9677, tell them it's an emergency food situation and ask for expedited shipping. They usually get it to you within 2-3 business days instead of the usual week. Also, you can actually have TWO active EBT cards at once - request a backup card and keep it somewhere safe! Most people don't know this option exists. The protective sleeves everyone mentioned are a game changer. I got a 10-pack on Amazon for like $8 and haven't had a damaged card since. Much cheaper than dealing with replacement delays!