Why can't I access all my CalWORKs Cash Aid from ATMs? Different banks giving different amounts

theres withdrawal limits on ebt cards. usually like $200 or $250 per day from atms. plus atm fees add up!! try walmart customer service desk or grocery store, u can ask for cash back when u buy something small and its usually cheaper than atm fees

There are several reasons why this happens: 1. EBT cards have a daily ATM withdrawal limit (usually $1,000 per day in California, but this varies by county) 2. Individual ATMs often have their own lower limits (typically $200-$400) 3. Some banks charge higher fees for non-customers using their ATMs Your best options are: - Use a bank that participates in the MoneyPass network (they usually have lower/no fees) - Get cash back at grocery stores when making small purchases - Some check cashing places will let you withdraw larger amounts for a fee Also, you should have received a brochure with your EBT card that lists surcharge-free ATMs in your area.

Just to add to what others have said, different banks have different policies about EBT cash withdrawals. Wells Fargo has been problematic lately with CalWORKs - they sometimes block EBT transactions entirely. Chase allows withdrawals but usually limits them to $200-$300 per transaction. For your rent, you might want to plan ahead and withdraw the maximum each day for a few days until you have enough. Or you can try purchasing a money order at the post office or some grocery stores using your EBT card - that way you can get the full amount in one transaction for your landlord.

When I first got Cash Aid I had the EXACT same problem!! So frustrating! What I found out is that you can actually check your balance and find no-fee ATMs by calling the number on the back of your EBT card (877-328-9677). They can tell you exactly where to go to avoid those stupid fees. Did your worker explain ANY of this to you? Mine didn't tell me ANYTHING about how to actually access my benefits once approved. I was so lost at first!

I had this exact same problem when I started receiving Cash Aid. It was so frustrating trying to get my money out! If you're struggling to reach anyone at the county to explain how this all works, I recommend Claimyr (claimyr.com). I was getting nowhere with the EBT customer service line, so I used their service to actually reach a real person at my county office who walked me through all the ATM options and limits. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE After I finally got through to someone, they explained that Bank of America ATMs generally work best for full access to Cash Aid in California. Saved me so much stress!

you can go to grocery stores like food 4 less or food maxx and get cash back when you buy something small like a candy bar. thats what i always do cuz the atm fees are like $3-4 each time and that adds up fast. most stores let u get up to $300 cash back and its free

I want to clarify something important about your EBT card and Cash Aid. There are actually two separate accounts on your card: 1. Your CalFresh (food stamps) balance - can ONLY be used for food purchases 2. Your Cash Aid balance - can be withdrawn or used for purchases When you see your balance on a store receipt, make sure you're looking at the Cash Aid portion, not the CalFresh portion. This confuses a lot of new recipients. Also, if you need to make a rent payment but can't withdraw enough at once, ask your landlord if you can make partial payments over a few days. Most will understand if you explain the withdrawal limits.

Has anyone else noticed that Wells Fargo seems to be getting worse with EBT transactions? Last month they worked fine for me but this month I got declined at THREE different Wells Fargo ATMs! I had to drive across town to find a Bank of America that would accept my card. It's ridiculous how hard they make it to access OUR OWN MONEY!!