Used CalFresh EBT to buy baby formula instead of WIC - Is selling it illegal?
So I messed up pretty badly yesterday at Target. I accidentally used my CalFresh EBT card to purchase my baby's formula ($89) instead of my WIC benefits which are supposed to cover it. I didn't realize until I got home and checked my EBT balance. Now I'm stuck because I've heard Target just throws away returned formula (food safety policy?), and I can't afford to waste that much of my food budget on formula when WIC would have covered it. Would I get in trouble with the CalFresh program if I tried to sell the unopened formula to recoup some money? Or would that count as trafficking benefits? Not trying to do anything sketchy, just trying to fix my mistake without wasting food or money. Has anyone dealt with this before?
16 comments
Join the conversation
Paloma Clark
This is a tricky situation but technically selling anything purchased with EBT benefits could be considered trafficking, which is against program rules and could potentially lead to disqualification. However, I understand your predicament. Have you considered explaining the situation to your WIC office? They might be able to make an adjustment for next month since you didn't use this month's WIC benefits for formula. Also, you could call your county CalFresh worker to explain what happened - sometimes they can provide guidance for honest mistakes.
0 coins
Evelyn Kelly
•Thanks for responding. I'm honestly scared to call my caseworker because I don't want them to think I'm trying to break the rules. But I guess they might understand it was just a mistake? I wonder if the WIC office would actually help - I didn't think of that option.
0 coins
Heather Tyson
omg i did almost the same thing last year! dont sell it!! big trouble if u do that. what i did was talk to my wic office and explain and they let me skip getting formula on my next months wic and instead got extra baby food and cereal. worth asking them!
0 coins
Evelyn Kelly
•Really? That's such a relief to hear! I'll definitely try contacting WIC tomorrow. Did you have to go in person or were you able to call them?
0 coins
Raul Neal
DO NOT SELL IT!!!! That's benefit trafficking and they will find out. I know someone who tried to sell baby formula on Facebook after buying with EBT and she got a 1 year disqualification from CalFresh!!! The system is DESIGNED to catch people doing this. Just eat the cost and learn from it or try talking to WIC.
0 coins
Jenna Sloan
•This is kinda dramatic lol. How would they even know unless someone reports you specifically? But yeah don't sell it online where there's evidence
0 coins
Christian Burns
Instead of selling it, maybe you could do an exchange with another mom who uses the same formula but pays cash? Like if you know someone who buys that brand regularly, they could give you the cash and take your formula, then you use that cash for groceries instead. That way you're not technically selling it for profit, just fixing your mistake without involving strangers online. Just a thought!
0 coins
Paloma Clark
•I understand you're trying to be helpful, but I need to point out that this would still technically be considered trafficking benefits. The definition includes trading or exchanging benefits (or items purchased with benefits) for cash. The safest approach is working with the WIC office to adjust future benefits or simply accepting the mistake. It's not worth risking program disqualification over one container of formula.
0 coins
Sasha Reese
Have you tried calling Target to explain the situation? Some stores have policies where they won't physically take back the formula, but they might be able to process a return to your EBT card and then let you repurchase it using WIC. You'd need to bring both your EBT and WIC cards. I work with benefit programs and this is sometimes possible - worth asking at least.
0 coins
Evelyn Kelly
•I didn't know this was possible! I'll definitely call Target customer service tomorrow and see if they can do this. Would make everything so much simpler if they can.
0 coins
Muhammad Hobbs
Trying to reach your county CalFresh worker to explain the situation is your best bet, but man, that's easier said than done! I spent TWO WEEKS trying to get through to someone at my county office about a similar mistake. Keep getting put on hold forever or disconnected. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to my worker. It basically waits on hold for you and calls you back when a real person answers. Saved me hours of frustration. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 Explain it was an honest mistake - in my experience they're understanding about these things if you're upfront about it.
0 coins
Jenna Sloan
•I've heard of that service! Does it actually work? I always get disconnected after like 45 mins on hold with my county office
0 coins
Heather Tyson
can u use the formula for ur baby and then use the wic for next month? thats what id do tbh
0 coins
Evelyn Kelly
•My baby goes through formula pretty fast so I'd still need to buy more before next month, but that's definitely an option if the other suggestions don't work out. Thanks!
0 coins
Paloma Clark
Just to summarize the best options based on everyone's advice: 1. Contact Target to see if they'll process a special return/repurchase with your WIC card 2. Call your WIC office to see if they can adjust next month's benefits 3. Contact your CalFresh worker to explain the situation 4. Use the formula and adjust your budget for the month The most important thing is NOT to sell or exchange the formula for cash, as that could result in program violations. These programs take trafficking very seriously, and the consequences can be severe (disqualification periods of 1 year or more).
0 coins
Evelyn Kelly
•Thank you so much for laying out all the options! I'll try calling Target first thing tomorrow, and if that doesn't work, I'll contact my WIC office. I appreciate everyone's help - definitely won't risk selling it now that I understand the potential consequences.
0 coins