Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card
In California, public assistance benefits are issued via EBT card, such as CalFresh, CalWORKs, and other food and cash aid benefits issued by local county welfare departments. California EBT cardholders access their benefits with the Golden State Advantage (GSA) EBT Card. The GSA EBT card can be used at most ATMs in California and authorized SNAP retailers in California, the other 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.
Other Food Assistance Cards in California
California households may also use other food assistance cards if they are participating in the SUN Bucks or Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Eligibility and EBT card acceptance for these programs may differ from the GSA EBT card.
SUN Bucks helps families with school-age children buy groceries during the summer months when kids might not have access to school meals. For additional information regarding SUN Bucks, please visit the SUN Bucks webpage.
WIC is a food and nutrition program for growing families, providing nutrition education, breastfeeding support, benefits for healthy foods, and referrals to healthcare and other community services. For additional information regarding the WIC program, please visit the California Department of Public Health WIC program webpage.
Where Can I Use My EBT Card?
Food benefits can be used in person at SNAP-authorized retailers and at farmers' markets. CalFresh recipients can use their benefits to buy a wide variety of groceries at stores and farmers' markets that accept EBT. Cash benefits, including CalWORKs, General Assistance/General Relief, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), can be accessed by withdrawing at select ATMs, making cash purchases at SNAP-authorized retailers, or requesting cash-back at those retailers.
Additionally, some retailers participate in dedicated programs that further expand food access in California. These include the Restaurant Meals Program, which allow eligible participants to purchase hot meals at restaurants, and the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable Pilot, which provides up to an additional $60 in monthly food benefits when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables with CalFresh EBT at participating retailers and farmers' markets.
SNAP-approved farmers' markets accept both CalFresh and SUN Bucks cards, with some markets also offering Market Match, a statewide nutrition incentive program that provide additional funds to spend on fresh fruit and vegetables when you spend CalFresh benefits.
Note: You must check with the individual market to determine if they also accept SUN Bucks benefits for their Market Match program.
How do I Check My Individual EBT Account Balances or View Transaction History Details?
You can check your GSA or SUN Bucks EBT account balance, view transaction history details or check the status of your GSA benefit replacement claim by using one of the following,
What You Need to Know to Protect Your EBT Card
Your county or the State will never text or call you requesting your personal information such as your EBT card number and your personal identification number (PIN).
If you are contacted about your EBT account, you should not provide any personal information. If you think your benefits may have been stolen, you should immediately call the customer service telephone number on the back of your EBT card, (877) 328-9677, or contact your county social services agency.
- NEVER give out your personal information to anyone, or you could have your benefits stolen.
- ALWAYS keep your EBT card number and PIN a secret.
- NEVER give out your social security number, EBT card number or PIN to anyone.
- ALWAYS use the chip or tap features on your EBT card first, when making a transaction. Only use the magnetic stripe for swiping as a last resort.
- ALWAYS use enhanced security features such as freezing your account and blocking out-of-state and online transactions with the ebtEDGE mobile app or cardholder portal.
If you have already provided card numbers and PINs to a third party, follow the instructions below to change your PIN or report your cards as lost or stolen.
If Your EBT Card Information Was Provided to a Third Party or Your Card is Lost or Stolen
Call customer service right away at (877) 328-9677 to change your PIN or request a new card.
Follow the prompts to report the card as compromised. Once reported, your EBT card is disabled, and you are told how to get a new card. It is important that you call customer service as soon as possible. If someone uses your card and personal identification number (PIN) to get benefits, these benefits may not be replaced.
You can also,
If your EBT card is damaged and it does not work (cannot be read) at retail or ATM locations, you should request a replacement EBT card as soon as possible.