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EBT :. Helpful Hints

Save Money - Know the Facts!

By knowing the Facts about your Golden State Advantage Card, or EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) Card, you should be able to get ALL of your Cash Benefits each month and pay NO charges or fees!

Fact 1: You can get your Cash Benefits in many ways.

  • Cash from ATMs
  • Cash from Retail Stores
  • Cash-Back with Purchase from Retail Stores
  • Purchase with No Cash-Back
  • Purchase Money Orders

If you know how, you can use a combination of all the above methods to safely get and use your monthly Cash Benefits at little or NO cost.

Fact 2: If a store or ATM charges a surcharge, it must be posted so you can choose to go somewhere else.

Fact 3: You can avoid paying charges and fees if you know how!

Here are the types of fees you may find when using your EBT Card:

Charges (called Surcharges)

Some ATM owners charge a "Surcharge" for using their ATMs - usually between $1 and $2 - OTHERS DO NOT . Some ATMs that DO NOT charge are:

  • Citibank
  • Washington Mutual Bank
  • Axis ATMs
  • Xtra Cash ATMs

Your local public assistance office has a list with the names and addresses of NO SURCHARGE ATMs in your county.

Fees (called Transaction Fees)

You can make four (4) cash-only withdrawals from your EBT account each month without paying a Transaction Fee. After four (4) cash-only withdrawals each month, you will be charged an 85-cent Transaction Fee for each cash-only withdrawal you make at an ATM.

Remember, there are many ways to get your cash benefits, and if you know the facts, you can avoid Transaction Fees. Here are some ways:

  • Purchases, and purchases with cash back, do not count as part of the four cash-only withdrawals.
  • Make your cash-only withdrawals at a store instead of an ATM.
  • Don't make many small withdrawals at an ATM. Get all of your cash in less than four transactions. Remember, all ATMs can give you at least $200 at one time; many can give you $500 or more at one time.
  • Make purchases directly with your EBT Card at participating stores without using cash. It is safer to avoid carrying cash and to just use your EBT Card to make purchases.
  • Get cash-back when you make a purchase with your cash EBT benefits, instead of using ATMs.
  • Buy a money order with your EBT card to pay your bills. Many stores sell money orders. Money orders are safe and inexpensive.
  • Remember, you will never be charged a Transaction Fee when you use your EBT card at a store's Point of Sale machine.

Fact 4: You can call the EBT Customer Service number to find out how many cash-only withdrawals you have done in a month.

Call 1-877-328-9677 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Fact 5: Your local public assistance office will send you a list of ATMs and stores where you can get your cash benefits.

The list will tell you:

  • The name and address of the store or ATM
  • If there is a surcharge - and how much that surcharge is
  • How much money you can get at one time
  • If you must make a purchase to get cash back
  • If the store sells money orders.

Fact 6: Know Your Neighborhood.

  • Find out which places in your community where you can use your EBT Card.
  • Know which stores and ATMs are Surcharge Free .
  • Know which stores will allow cash-only withdrawals without a purchase.
  • Know which stores provide cash-back with a purchase. If you make a purchase and get cash back, it does NOT count as one of your cash-only withdrawals.
  • Know which stores sell money orders.

One More Option: Direct Deposit of Cash Benefits to your bank account

If you have a bank account, you can have your cash benefits deposited directly into your account instead of on an EBT card. You can use your own bank account or ask your local public assistance office to help you find a bank where you can open an account.

Important Information about using your Golden State Advantage Card

  • Most ATMs only give amounts in $20 bills. If you need to get less than $20, for example if your benefit amount is $548.00 or $14.00, you can get smaller amounts at a grocery store such as Safeway or Albertsons. Go to the customer service counter and ask for help.
  • You will never be charged a fee for using your Food Stamp Benefits. If a grocer ever adds a fee to the cost of your Food Stamp Benefit purchase, contact your local public assistance office, or call 1-877-328-9677 to make a report.