What is an EBT CARD?
An EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card is the benefit delivery system that allows CalFresh and cash assistance recipients to access their food and cash benefits, much like a debit card. Find out more about EBT.
New EBT Chip/Tap Cards are coming soon! If you are an EBT cardholder, be on the lookout for your new EBT card in the mail. EBT cardholders will begin receiving their new EBT card in the mail beginning early 2025. The new card, seen below, will have upgraded security features to help reduce instances of fraud and stolen benefits. You'll find more information the card's features below.
WHERE CAN I USE MY EBT CARD?
All cardholders may use their EBT card at participating retailers with a Point-of-Sale (POS) device and Automated Teller Machines (ATM) for cash withdrawals displaying the Quest® logo throughout California and across the country. Click here for a list of locations that accept EBT cards.
You can use your EBT card to buy food items at:
- grocery stores
- Farmer’s Markets (click on the following links for a list of Riverside Country farmers markets that accept CalFresh benefits: English| Spanish), and
- online at stores such as Safeway, Amazon and Walmart. For additional information regarding online purchasing, visit the EBT Online webpage.
HOW TO USE YOUR EBT CARD
For information on how and where to use your EBT card, click on the following links:
California Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card Brochure, How to Use Your EBT Card to Make a Purchase, Enjoy Surcharge-Free ATMs Nationwide
BE AWARE OF SCAMS AND THIRD-PARTY APPLICATIONS
NEVER GIVE YOUR EBT CARD AND/OR PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (PIN) TO ANYONE.
The County and State will never text or call and ask for your EBT card and/or PIN. Your EBT card and/or PIN are never needed to determine eligibility for any service.
Examples of SCAMS to be aware of:
- Offer of a “free government cell phone” or “free gift cards” and you are asked for your personal information, card number and/or PIN.
- New benefit recipients are contacted by a “protection plan” company that says they are part of the state program. They ask for personal information from cardholders, getting enough to steal benefits from the cardholders’ accounts.
- People who say they are “concerned citizens” posting warnings about EBT card security. They give a telephone number that is close to a real customer service helpline telephone number (maybe one number is different). A cardholder calls the number, and then is asked for personal information, account number and a PIN.
- Text message or email asking for your personal EBT information.
Third-Party Applications are phone applications (apps) that allow the cardholder to obtain access to account information, such as the account balance and transaction history. Using these apps comes with the risk of allowing the app access to steal your CalFresh and/or cash assistance benefits.
NEW EBT CHIP/TAP CARDS COMING SOON!
EBT cardholders will begin receiving their new EBT card in the mail beginning early 2025. The new card will have upgraded security features to help reduce instances of fraud and stolen benefits. Added security features include:
- a small microchip embedded in the card. When inserted in the Point of Sale (POS) device at the grocery store, the chip generates a special code that can only be used for that transaction
- “Tap to Pay”, making payment transactions contactless
- a 3-digit card security code on the back of the card for added security during online transactions, and
- an expiration date.
Once you receive your new card, a successful transaction using the new card will activate it and automatically deactivate the old card.
EBT CUSTOMER SERVICE
EBT customer service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call the Customer Service Automated Response Unit (ARU) at (877) 328-9677 to:
- initiate a claim for stolen benefits
- report lost, stolen or damaged EBT cards
- report unauthorized use
- report an ATM mis-dispense
- verify the account balance, and/or
- change the PIN.
Visit http://www.ebt.ca.gov to:
- check account balances
- view account history
- check the status of a claim, and
- locate retailers and ATMs that accept the EBT card.