Where can I withdraw more than $200 cash from my EBT without huge fees?
So I'm getting really annoyed with these cash withdrawal limits on my EBT card. Every ATM I try only lets me take out $200 at a time, and I'm getting charged fees for each transaction. Last month I needed $500 for my rent payment (landlord only takes cash) and ended up paying almost $15 in fees because I had to make 3 separate withdrawals! Does anyone know if there are specific banks or stores where you can withdraw larger amounts at once from CalFresh EBT? Or is the $200 limit set by the program itself? These fees are seriously eating into my benefits and it's frustrating. Thank you!
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Nathan Kim
Just FYI - CalFresh benefits can't be withdrawn as cash at all. Sounds like you're talking about CalWORKs cash aid which is different but comes on the same EBT card. For CalWORKs, most banks have their own withdrawal limits, not the program itself. I've had good luck at Bank of America ATMs where I can withdraw up to $500 at once with my EBT card. Also, remember you get 4 free ATM withdrawals per month before those fees kick in - are you keeping track of how many you've done?
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Gavin King
•Omg thank you for clarifying! Yes I meant CalWORKs, still learning all the different names. I didn't know about the 4 free withdrawals, that's really helpful. I'll try Bank of America next time I need a larger amount. Do you know if all their ATMs allow $500 or just certain ones?
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Eleanor Foster
THOSE FEES ARE RIDICULOUS!!! ive been dealing with this for 2 years now. the $200 limit is from the ATM not the program. best place ive found is to go inside a BANK (not atm) with your EBT card and ID and you can usually withdraw more. wells fargo let me take out $800 at once. just go to the teller and tell them you need to do a cash withdrawal with your ebt
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Lucas Turner
•This is great advice, thank you! I've never thought about going inside to the teller. Do they charge a fee for this service?
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Eleanor Foster
•nope! as long as its a bank that accepts EBT (most do) theres no fee when you go to a teller inside. thats why i always do it this way now
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Kai Rivera
Just to add some clarification here: There are two types of benefits that can come on your EBT card: 1. CalFresh (food benefits) - These CANNOT be withdrawn as cash and can only be used at point-of-sale to purchase eligible food items 2. CalWORKs (cash aid) - This CAN be withdrawn as cash from ATMs or through cash-back at certain retailers For your cash withdrawal limits, here are some options: - Most major grocery stores offer cash-back with purchase and often have higher limits (up to $300 at some places) - Credit unions sometimes have higher ATM withdrawal limits than commercial banks - As someone mentioned, going to a teller inside a bank that accepts EBT is usually the best option for larger withdrawals - You can also make multiple smaller purchases with cash back to avoid ATM fees entirely Remember you get 4 free ATM withdrawals each month before fees apply. Track these carefully!
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Gavin King
•This is super helpful, thank you! I didn't realize grocery stores might let me get cash back with higher limits. I'm going to try that option next month. Do you know if Walmart or Target have good cash back limits with EBT purchases?
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Kai Rivera
•Walmart typically allows up to $100 cash back with EBT purchases, while Target's limit is usually $40. For higher amounts, grocery chains like Safeway or Kroger stores often allow up to $200-$300 cash back. Just remember you need to make a purchase first - I usually just buy something small like a pack of gum to minimize the expense while getting cash back.
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Anna Stewart
Has anyone tried using Claimyr to get through to a CalWORKs worker about this? I had a similar issue with ATM limits and called my county office but kept getting disconnected. I found this service at claimyr.com that got me through to a real person in like 10 minutes. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. The worker told me there are specific ATMs with lower fees and higher withdrawal limits for EBT users, but they vary by county. Might be worth asking about options in your specific area.
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Layla Sanders
•never heard of that service before but might try it. I've literally spent HOURS trying to get someone on the phone at my county office only to be disconnected. thx for sharing this
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Anna Stewart
•It saved me so much frustration! I'd spent 3 days trying to get through the normal way. The county worker I finally talked to was actually super helpful about explaining all my cash withdrawal options.
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Morgan Washington
im probably the only one but i just use my phone's calendar app to mark down whenever i use an atm so i dont go over the 4 free withdrawals lol. also dollar general stores let you get cashback up to $200 with only a $1 purchase so thats what i do to avoid atm fees completely
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Gavin King
•That's a really smart idea to use the calendar app! I'm definitely going to start tracking my withdrawals that way. And I had no idea about Dollar General - there's one right by my apartment so that could be super convenient.
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Layla Sanders
Can I just point out - why are we the ones who have to jump through all these hoops just to access our own benefits?? It's almost like the system is designed to nickel and dime us with fees. They should make it easier to access larger amounts without all these extra charges cutting into benefits that are already barely enough to live on.
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Nathan Kim
•Totally agree. The whole system needs an update. Most bills are more than $200 these days, especially rent, so the withdrawal limits just don't make sense for how people actually need to use the money.
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Gavin King
Thank you everyone for all this great advice! I'm going to try going inside a bank first, and then use the grocery store cash back option as backup. I had no idea about the 4 free withdrawals either so I'll definitely start keeping track of those. Really appreciate all the help!
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