How to withdraw Cash Aid money from ATM with EBT card - first time user help!

Congrats on your approval! Yes, you can withdraw your Cash Aid from ATMs using your EBT card. It works pretty much like a debit card. Your PIN should have been mailed to you separately from your card (for security reasons). If you didn't get a PIN or forgot it, call the number on the back of your EBT card to set/reset it. And heads up about ATM fees - you get 4 free withdrawals per month at most ATMs. After that, there's usually a fee. BUT, if you use Bank of America ATMs, you won't pay a fee at all for Cash Aid withdrawals. I always use BofA to avoid those charges.

u can also buy stuff with the ebt card directly at some stores like target and walmart... just select EBT CASH at checkout. Saves u a trip to atm sometimes

BE CAREFUL at atms in sketchy areas!!!! My cousin got her cash stolen last month when some creep was watching her take money out. He followed her home and she got robbed. Try to go inside banks or use grocery store atms with good lighting. Better safe than sorry.

To directly answer your questions: 1. Yes, your EBT card works at ATMs for Cash Aid (not for CalFresh/food benefits) 2. You use the same physical EBT card for both CalFresh and Cash Aid, but they're separate accounts 3. You can withdraw any amount up to your available balance 4. You select "WITHDRAW FROM CHECKING" at most ATMs 5. Watch out for ATM fees! Bank of America has no fees for EBT transactions 6. You can also use "cash back" when shopping at many stores by selecting EBT CASH as payment type 7. Your benefits are typically deposited on the same day each month based on the case number Hope this helps!

I had THE WORST time trying to get my pin reset when I first got approval. Had to call like 20 times and kept getting disconnected or put on hold forever. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to an actual human at the county who fixed my PIN issue right away. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE - saved me hours of frustration!

congrats! but just fyi u should get a bank account if u dont have 1 already. then u can transfer ur cash aid to ur bank instead of carrying cash. my worker told me its safer that way. oh also dont forget u need to submit the SAR7 form every 6 months to keep getting benefits!!! i forgot once and my cash aid got cut off for like 3 weeks and it was a NIGHTMARE to get it back on

Does anyone know if the grocery store can tell its ebt cash vs regular debit when u pay? Kinda embarrassing sometimes

I gotta say be careful about how much you take out at once. When my benefits first got approved, I was so happy I went and withdrew it all. Then I lost my wallet the next day with $550 inside! The county won't replace stolen/lost cash. Now I only withdraw what I need for a couple days at a time.

Welcome to CalWORKs! So happy to see another family getting the support they need. Just wanted to add a couple quick tips from my experience: 1. Download the ebtEDGE mobile app - you can check your balance anytime without having to call or go to an ATM 2. Keep your receipt from ATM withdrawals! Sometimes there are system glitches and having the receipt helps if you need to dispute anything 3. If you're planning to pay rent or utilities with your cash aid, some companies accept money orders which you can buy at grocery stores or post offices - sometimes safer than carrying large amounts of cash You're asking all the right questions and it sounds like you've got great advice from everyone here. Don't be afraid to call your caseworker if you run into any issues - they're there to help!

One more thing to add - if you ever have issues with your EBT card not working at an ATM (like it gets declined even though you have money), try a different ATM first before panicking! Sometimes individual machines have connectivity issues. I've had my card get declined at one ATM and then work perfectly fine at another one just down the street. Also, make sure you're selecting "Checking" not "Savings" when the ATM asks - your Cash Aid is always on the checking side. And if you ever need to check your balance quickly, you can call the customer service number on the back of your card 24/7. Congrats again and welcome to the community!

Hey Amina! Congrats on getting approved - that's awesome! 🎉 Just wanted to add a couple things that helped me when I first started using my EBT card for cash aid: - Your cash aid money gets loaded onto the same EBT card as your CalFresh benefits, but they're completely separate accounts. You can't accidentally spend your cash aid money on food or vice versa. - When you go to an ATM, make sure to select "Withdraw from Checking" - never savings. Your cash aid is always on the checking side. - Pro tip: Some grocery stores like Vons and Ralph's let you get cash back when you buy something small (like a pack of gum) using your EBT cash. This can save you ATM fees if you just need a little cash. - Keep track of your withdrawal dates! Your caseworker might ask about how you're spending your benefits during reviews. You're asking all the right questions - don't worry about "messing up." The system is pretty straightforward once you use it a few times. Welcome to the community!

Hey Amina! Congratulations on your CalWORKs approval! 🎉 I see you've gotten tons of great advice already, but I wanted to share something that really helped me when I first started - create a simple budget plan for your cash aid. I keep a small notebook where I write down what I need the money for each month (rent, utilities, transportation, etc.) and how much I plan to withdraw for each expense. This helps me avoid the temptation to take out large amounts at once and also makes it easier when my caseworker asks about how I'm using the benefits during my reviews. Also, if you ever move or change your address, make sure to update it with your caseworker AND separately with the EBT customer service line. I learned this the hard way when my replacement card got sent to my old address! You're going to do great - asking questions like this shows you're being responsible about managing your benefits. Welcome to the community! 💪