Will my remaining EBT balance disappear when my CalFresh benefits end?

The good news is that any funds already loaded onto your EBT card are yours to keep and use, even after your CalFresh case closes! The money doesn't disappear or get taken back when your benefits end. You can continue using whatever balance remains on your card until it's gone. Just keep in mind that EBT benefits do expire if they're not used within 9 months of being issued, but that's plenty of time to use them up.

They WILL take it back! My cousin had like $340 left when her calfresh ended and they closed her account and she couldn't access ANY of it!! The government doesn't let u keep ANYTHING they didn't earn. Call RIGHT AWAY before they discontinue you!!!!!

I actually just went through this exact situation last year! The previous comment is correct - any money already on your EBT card stays there for you to use even after your CalFresh benefits stop. I had about $175 left when my case closed, and I was able to use it for almost 2 months afterward with no problems. Just keep your physical EBT card in a safe place because they won't issue a replacement once your case is closed. Also, make sure you know your PIN because you won't be able to reset it easily after discontinuance.

The physical card expiration date is different from your benefits. Your EBT card might say 2029, but that's just when the physical card expires. Your benefits will still work until you use them or until they expire after 9 months of non-use (this is per benefit issuance, not all at once). So benefits added in January expire in October if unused, February benefits expire in November, etc.

Wait cnat you just reapply? If your in a bad situation financially why not just fill out the recertification? My worker told me that even if you dont think youd qualify you should still apply cause sometimes they can give other resources too. Just asking cause it sounds like you might still need the help?

Ugh, the CalFresh system is so confusing sometimes. I had a similar question last year and spent THREE DAYS trying to get through to my county worker for an answer. Kept getting disconnected or stuck on hold forever. I eventually found a service called Claimyr that got me through to a real person in about 20 minutes. They basically call CalFresh for you and then connect you when they reach a human. Saved me hours of frustration! Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Definitely worth it if you need to talk to someone about your specific case.

mines been closed for 6 monts and i still have money on it i use it sometimes for milk and bread, the moneys urs once they put it on there!

One more thing to be aware of: when your case closes, you won't have access to the EBT website/app to check your balance anymore, so make a habit of keeping your receipt when you use the card. The receipt shows your remaining balance. You can also still call the EBT customer service number on the back of your card to check your balance by phone even after your case closes.

Just wanted to add that you can also check your balance at most ATMs using your EBT card, even after your case closes. This is helpful if you don't want to make a purchase just to see your balance on a receipt. Most grocery stores and banks have ATMs that accept EBT cards for balance inquiries. Just make sure to use ATMs that don't charge fees for balance checks!

I just want to echo what others have said - you definitely get to keep that money! I went through the same thing about 8 months ago when my income went up and I had to discontinue CalFresh. Had around $150 left on my card and was so worried it would just vanish. But nope, I was able to use every penny of it over the next few weeks. The key things to remember are: keep your physical card safe (no replacements once closed), remember your PIN, save receipts to track your balance, and use the funds within 9 months of when they were originally issued. It's actually one of the few things about the system that works in your favor! Congrats on the job improvement by the way - that's awesome news even if it means losing the benefits.

I'm glad to see so many people sharing their positive experiences with keeping leftover EBT funds! This is definitely one of those situations where the system actually works in favor of recipients. Just to add one more practical tip - if you're planning to use up your remaining balance strategically, consider buying non-perishable items that you'll definitely use over time (like canned goods, rice, pasta, etc.) rather than letting the money sit unused. This way you're not rushed to spend it all at once, and you're building up a little food security for yourself even after benefits end. Also, some people don't realize that you can use EBT at many farmers markets and even some online retailers like Amazon Fresh in certain areas, which might give you more options for using up that balance efficiently. Best of luck with your new job situation!

I work for a local food bank and see this question come up a lot! Everyone here is absolutely right - you keep your remaining EBT balance even after your CalFresh case closes. Just wanted to add that if you're looking to stretch that $210 as far as possible, many food banks and pantries are happy to supplement whatever you're able to buy with your EBT card. So you could use your remaining benefits for things like fresh produce, dairy, and meat, then visit food pantries for shelf-stable items like canned goods and grains. This way you're maximizing both resources! Also, don't forget about the Double Up Food Bucks program at participating farmers markets - your EBT dollars can go twice as far on fresh fruits and vegetables. It's a great way to make that remaining balance last longer while eating healthy.

This thread has been so incredibly helpful! I'm actually in a similar situation - my CalFresh recertification is coming up in a few months and my income has increased, so I was panicking about potentially losing the balance I've been carefully saving. Reading everyone's real experiences has put my mind at ease. It's reassuring to know that once those benefits hit your card, they're truly yours to keep and use at your own pace. I especially appreciate all the practical tips about keeping receipts, remembering your PIN, and using ATMs to check balances. The advice about shopping strategically for non-perishables and exploring farmers markets is brilliant too. It's amazing how a community can come together to share knowledge like this - you've all turned what could be a stressful transition into something manageable. Thank you everyone for being so generous with your time and experiences!

Just wanted to share another helpful tip that I learned when my benefits ended last year - if you have any recurring subscriptions or automatic payments set up through certain grocery delivery services that accept EBT, make sure to cancel or update those before your case closes. I forgot about a weekly grocery pickup I had scheduled and it caused some confusion when the payment method was no longer valid. It's not a huge deal, but just something to keep in mind as you prepare for the transition. Also, I found it really helpful to make a rough plan for how I wanted to use my remaining balance over time rather than just spending it randomly. Having that little bit of structure helped me make the most of those last benefits. Sounds like you're already thinking strategically about it though, which is great!

This has been such an informative thread! I'm relatively new to CalFresh and had no idea about the 9-month expiration rule or that you could still use ATMs to check your balance after your case closes. One thing I'm curious about - does anyone know if there are any differences between counties in California when it comes to keeping your remaining balance? I'm in Los Angeles County and want to make sure the same rules apply here. Also, for those who mentioned shopping at farmers markets with EBT, are there any specific markets in LA that you'd recommend that participate in the Double Up program? I'd love to make the most of my benefits while I still have them active, and then use any remaining balance wisely when my situation changes. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is incredibly helpful!

This entire conversation has been so reassuring! I'm actually in a very similar position - I've been on CalFresh for about 6 months and have managed to save up around $180 on my card. My hours at work recently increased significantly, which means I'll probably be over the income limit when my recertification comes up in two months. I was literally losing sleep worrying that all that saved money would just vanish the moment my case closed! Reading everyone's real-world experiences has been incredibly helpful. It's such a relief to know that the money already on the card truly belongs to you. I'm definitely going to start keeping better track of my receipts and make sure I remember my PIN. The tips about using ATMs for balance checks and shopping strategically for non-perishables are brilliant too. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences - this community really makes navigating these systems so much less stressful!

I'm really grateful for all the detailed information in this thread! I'm currently receiving CalFresh and was wondering about this exact scenario for when my situation might change in the future. It's so helpful to hear from people who have actually gone through this process rather than trying to decipher confusing official documentation. The practical tips about keeping receipts, using ATMs for balance checks, and shopping strategically for non-perishables are incredibly valuable. I had no idea about the Double Up Food Bucks program at farmers markets either - that sounds like an amazing way to stretch benefits further. It's reassuring to know that once benefits are loaded onto your EBT card, they truly belong to you regardless of case status. This community is such a wonderful resource for navigating these systems! Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their real experiences and advice.

This thread has been absolutely incredible! As someone who works as a CalFresh eligibility worker, I can confirm everything that's been shared here is accurate. Once benefits are issued to your EBT card, they legally belong to you - period. The federal regulations are very clear on this. I see clients worry about this situation all the time, and I always reassure them that their remaining balance is safe even after case closure. A few additional tips from the worker perspective: 1) Make sure your contact info is updated before your case closes in case there are any unusual issues with your card, 2) If you ever have problems accessing your remaining funds, contact the EBT customer service line first before assuming the worst, and 3) Keep your case closure notice - it has important dates and information you might need later. It's wonderful to see community members supporting each other with accurate information and real experiences. This is exactly how these support systems should work!

Thanks

I've been following this thread and wanted to add something that might be helpful - if you're planning to use your remaining balance strategically over time, consider checking if your local grocery stores offer any senior discount days or special promotions that work with EBT. Some stores like Safeway and Albertsons have certain days where you get extra discounts on store brands, which can help stretch that $210 even further. Also, many people don't realize that you can use EBT to buy seeds and plants that produce food - so if you have any outdoor space or even just a sunny windowsill, you could potentially turn some of that remaining balance into ongoing food production. It's a great way to extend the value of those benefits well beyond what's actually on the card!

I'm so glad you found this thread helpful! Just to add to all the excellent advice here - I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago and can confirm everything everyone has said is accurate. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple list on my phone of what I wanted to buy with my remaining balance, prioritizing things like rice, beans, canned goods, and other shelf-stable items that would last. I also discovered that some dollar stores accept EBT, which can be great for stretching those remaining dollars on basic pantry staples. The peace of mind knowing that money is truly yours once it's on the card is such a relief. Best of luck with your new job - it's wonderful that your situation has improved even though it means losing the benefits!