EBT stands for “Electronic Benefit Transfer.” The electronic card for using CalFresh benefits is essentially
works like a “debit card.” Officially, it is called the Golden State Advantage Card, but most people refer to it simply as the EBT card. CalFresh benefits are loaded onto these debit-like cards which can be used anywhere CalFresh benefits are accepted. If certified to receive CalFresh, benefits should be on the applicant’s card within 30 days from the date an application was filed. [7 C.F.R. §
274.2 (b).] If the applicant qualifies for expedited or “emergency” CalFresh, benefits should be available within three days. Once received, the card can be used in California or any other state.” [7 C.F.R. § 274.1(k)(4).] The USDA approves retails stores for participation in the CalFresh program. Generally, stores must offer a variety of “staple foods” including perishable foods. [7 C.F.R. § 278 et seq.] Among the locations commonly approved to accept CalFresh EBT are: See, generally 7 C.F.R. §
271.2 (definition of Eligible Foods), FNS Memo 2018-2 and the FNS SNAP page about eligible food items.What are EBT cards?
Locations accepting EBT cards
What you can buy with CalFresh benefits
The types of food and certain non-food eligible for purchase with CalFresh include:
- Any food for human consumption except hot food (but remember, there is also an exception for authorized hot meal programs and approved restaurant meals programs). [MPP § 63-102(e)(2)(H).]
- Seeds and plants to grow food for yourself or your family. [MPP § 63-102(e)(2)(B); 7 C.F.R. § 271.2.]
- Military commissary surcharges.
- container deposits under state law.
What you cannot buy
See, generally, 7 C.F.R. § 271.2 and MPP § 63-102(e)(2). some notable excluded items are:
- Tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, etc.
- Pet food.
- Alcohol.
- Non-food items, such as soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, etc.
- Vitamins and medicines (if prescribed, these may be out-of-pocket medical deductions for elderly/disabled households.
- Any hot food, including hot food intended for immediate consumption (with the exception of approved meal programs; see MPP §§ 63-102(e)(2)(C-H) and restaurant meals programs).
- Medicines and dietary supplements (easy test: if the items has a nutrition facts label it is an eligible food product; if it has a “supplement facts” label it is an ineligible supplement).
- Prepared food intended for on-premises consumption, but prepared food intended for off-premises consumption is eligible as long it is not hot at the point of sale.
- Firearms, ammunition and explosives.
- Live animals, except for shellfish, fish as long as they are removed from water prior to removal from the sales premises, and other animals live at the point-of-sale if they are slaughtered prior to removal from the premises.
- Gift baskets if the value of non-food items is over half of the purchase price.
- Fees, including retailer fees for the delivery of food and grocery bag fees.
For more information, see the FNS SNAP page detailing items eligible and ineligible for purchase using SNAP benefits.
Restaurant meals program
This program is designed to help households who do not have a place to store and cook food, or who may have a disability that makes preparing meals for themselves difficult. It began in 1978 when federal regulations gave states the option to allow elderly and disabled food stamp households to use food stamp coupons in authorized restaurants. The program was expanded to include homeless households. [MPP § 63-102(e)(2)(H); ACIN I-71-11.]
Under the program, prepared foods at participating restaurants and grocery stores can be purchased with an EBT card. Participating restaurants must meet requirements placed on them by the county and must be authorized to process CalFresh transactions as a restaurant. Restaurants are prohibited from charging a sales tax or meal tax on prepared foods purchased with CalFresh benefits. [MPP § 63-102(e)(2)(H)(3)(e)(ii).]
Two or four year colleges that operate food facilities on campus must apply to become a food vendor under the Restaurant Meals Program and colleges must provide contracting food vendors with information about the Restaurant Meals program. [ACL 16-112.]