Can I access my CalWORKs Cash Aid from Las Vegas? Need to withdraw before trip

Yes, you can absolutely use your EBT card to withdraw your CalWORKs cash benefits in Las Vegas or any other state. The cash portion of your benefits works just like a debit card across state lines. Just use any ATM that accepts EBT cards. Be aware though that you might pay extra ATM fees when using out-of-state machines - sometimes $3-5 per withdrawal on top of the regular fee! Try to withdraw the maximum amount you'll need in one transaction to avoid multiple fees.

Just be careful about where you use it in Vegas! I got my card skimmed at a casino ATM last year and someone drained all my benefits! It took MONTHS to get that money back and the county wasn't very helpful. They kept saying I needed to file a police report and provide all this evidence. Make sure you use ATMs inside banks if possible, not the ones in casinos or convenience stores.

Just adding another thing to watch out for - make sure you use your EBT card at least once every 90 days in California or the county might flag your case for residency verification. My sister went to visit family for 2 months and when she got back they made her do a whole interview proving she still lived in California. Such a hassle with all the paperwork they wanted!

U can def withdraw in vegas i do it all the time when i visit my mom. but watch out 4 the withdrawal limits!! i think its like $1000 per day now but it might be different. also check ur balance before u go cuz sometimes the payment date can be weird if it falls on a weekend.

If you're having trouble reaching a CalWORKs worker to confirm anything about using your EBT out of state before your trip, try using Claimyr - I was in a similar situation last month and was stuck on hold for hours. Claimyr.com got me through to a real person in about 15 minutes instead of the usual 2+ hour wait. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE. Saved me a ton of stress before my emergency trip.

BEWARE! I had my benefits STOLEN when I used my card in Vegas last summer!! The county accused ME of misusing my benefits and almost discontinued my case!!! They said gambling is not an approved use of benefits (DUH I WASNT GAMBLING WITH IT) and I had to fight for weeks to prove I was just paying for food and hotel. The system is RIGGED against us!!!!

One important thing no one has mentioned: while you CAN use your EBT cash benefits in another state, you should know that if you're getting Welfare to Work services or have any scheduled appointments, you need to make sure this trip doesn't conflict with your participation requirements. Missing WTW activities without an excused absence could affect your benefits. Make sure you've notified your worker about your trip if you have any scheduled activities during that time.

Safe travels! Just wanted to add that if you're staying at a hotel, many have ATMs in their lobbies that are usually safer than random street ATMs. Also, consider splitting your withdrawals - maybe take out what you need for the first day, then get more later if needed. That way if something does happen to your card, you're not out all your money at once. And definitely keep your receipts! The county sometimes asks for them if there are any questions about your transactions later. Have fun in Vegas!

Just want to echo what others have said - yes, you can definitely use your CalWORKs cash benefits in Vegas! I've done it several times visiting family in Arizona. A few practical tips from my experience: Download your bank's app if you have one so you can easily locate fee-free ATMs (some credit unions have partnerships that waive fees even out of state). Also, if you're staying at a major hotel on the Strip, their ATMs are usually pretty secure and well-monitored. Just avoid the standalone ATMs in bars or small shops. And like others mentioned, take out what you need in larger amounts to minimize fees. Have a great trip!

One more tip for Vegas - if you're flying, I'd recommend withdrawing your cash before you get to the airport. Airport ATMs usually have the highest fees of all, sometimes $5-7 per transaction! Also, if your flight gets delayed or you have layovers, you'll already have cash on hand. Most major banks like Bank of America or Wells Fargo have branches near LAX, Burbank, or whatever airport you're using if you need to make a withdrawal there. Just something to keep in mind for future trips too. Hope you have an awesome time with your family!

Just wanted to share my experience since I travel to Vegas pretty regularly - I always use the ATMs inside major casinos like Bellagio or MGM rather than the smaller ones. The big casinos actually have better security and their ATMs are serviced more frequently. Also, if you're planning to gamble at all (even just a few dollars), some casinos will comp your ATM fees if you sign up for their players card and use their machines. But like everyone said, definitely avoid the sketchy standalone ATMs and always cover your PIN when entering it. Vegas can be overwhelming with all the flashing lights, so just stay aware of your surroundings when using any ATM. Have fun and stay safe!

Hey Dmitry! Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - if you're worried about your benefits loading on Friday but need to leave Thursday, you can actually call the EBT customer service line (1-877-328-9677) to check if your benefits have been loaded early. Sometimes they process payments a day or two before the official date, especially if it falls on a weekend. It's worth checking Thursday morning before you leave, just in case you get lucky and can access your cash before hitting the road. Also, make sure you have the customer service number saved in your phone in case you run into any issues with your card while you're in Vegas. Safe travels and have a great time with your family!

I've been through a similar situation! One thing that really helped me was setting up text alerts for my EBT balance through the customer service line. That way I knew exactly when my benefits loaded without having to keep calling or checking. Also, if you're staying multiple days in Vegas, consider asking your hotel front desk about nearby banks - many hotels have partnerships with local banks and can point you to the closest branch with reliable ATMs. I learned this the hard way after paying crazy fees at random ATMs my first trip there. Also pack a backup form of ID just in case - sometimes out-of-state ATMs are more strict about verification. Hope this helps and have an awesome trip!

One more safety tip from someone who's been to Vegas many times - if you're withdrawing a large amount of cash, don't do it late at night or in isolated areas. The Strip can get pretty crazy, especially on weekends, and you don't want to be walking around with a bunch of cash when there are drunk people everywhere. I usually try to get my money during the day when there are more people around and better lighting. Also, consider using the ATMs inside the actual hotels where you're staying rather than ones on the street - hotel security is usually pretty good about monitoring their ATM areas. And definitely don't flash your cash around or count it out in the open where people can see how much you have. Vegas attracts all types and you want to keep a low profile with your money. Have fun but stay smart!

Just wanted to add from my own experience - if you're planning to use rideshares like Uber or Lyft while in Vegas, having cash on hand is really helpful as backup in case your card gets declined or if surge pricing gets crazy (which happens a lot on weekends). I got stuck once when my EBT card had issues and couldn't get a ride back to my hotel. Also, many of the food trucks and smaller vendors around Vegas only take cash, so you'll have more dining options if you withdraw enough to cover meals too. The good news is Vegas has tons of ATMs everywhere, but like others said, stick to the ones in major hotels or banks. One last thing - take a photo of your EBT card (front and back) and store it securely in your phone in case you lose the physical card while traveling. Won't help you withdraw money but will have all the info for customer service if you need to report it lost or stolen. Have an awesome trip!

This thread has been super helpful! I'm actually planning a similar trip to Vegas next month and was wondering the same thing. Based on everyone's advice here, it sounds like the key points are: use ATMs inside major hotels/banks for safety, withdraw larger amounts at once to minimize fees, avoid casino ATMs due to potential flagging issues, and keep receipts for everything. One question I had - does anyone know if there's a daily withdrawal limit that's different when you're out of state? I usually can take out up to my full benefit amount in California, but wasn't sure if that changes when using the card in Nevada.

Hey! I'm actually heading to Vegas next week too and this thread has been so helpful! One thing I wanted to add - if you're flying Southwest, they have a partnership with some credit unions that offer fee-free ATM access even out of state. Might be worth checking if your EBT card is linked to any of those networks. Also, I learned from a friend that some of the bigger grocery stores in Vegas (like Smith's or Albertsons) let you get cash back when you buy something with your EBT card, which could save you ATM fees altogether. Just buy a small item and ask for cash back - way cheaper than ATM fees! Make sure to double-check which stores allow cash back with CalWORKs benefits though, since some only do it for CalFresh. Hope you have an amazing time with your family!

This is such great info! I'm new to the CalWORKs program and had no idea you could use benefits out of state. Reading through everyone's experiences has been really educational. I especially appreciate the tips about avoiding sketchy ATMs and keeping receipts - those are things I wouldn't have thought about as a newbie. Quick question though - if I'm traveling out of state, do I need to notify my caseworker beforehand or is it okay to just go as long as it's a short trip? I don't want to accidentally mess up my case by not following proper procedures. Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge with those of us who are still learning the system!