If you rely on government assistance, your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card is how you access your necessary funds. You might use it every week to buy food or other essential items. A very common question that people ask is: “Can I get cash back with my EBT card?”
The answer is not a simple yes or no. It depends entirely on which type of benefit money you are trying to use. Your EBT card may hold two different kinds of money: food money and cash money. The rules for using them are very different.
This guide will explain exactly what you can and cannot do. We will help you understand the specific rules for withdrawing cash, where you can do it, and how to avoid mistakes that could cause problems with your benefits.
The Direct Answer: Can I Get Cash Back with My EBT Card?
The short answer is: Maybe, but only if you have cash benefits loaded onto your card.
Your EBT card usually works like a debit card for two main government programs:
- SNAP Benefits (Food Stamps): This money is only for buying approved food items. You cannot get cash back with SNAP benefits.
- Cash Assistance (TANF or GA): This money is cash aid provided to help pay for rent, utilities, clothing, and other needs. You can get cash back or withdraw money from ATMs using these funds.
If you try to get cash back while using your SNAP food benefits, the transaction will not go through. Only the money designated as actual cash aid can be turned into physical dollar bills.
Understanding Your EBT Benefits: SNAP vs. Cash Aid
It is very important to know which kind of money you are spending. In most states, when you check out at the store, the clerk or the machine will ask you if you are using your SNAP benefits or your Cash benefits.
Knowing this difference is the key to understanding how cash back works.
SNAP Food Benefits (The Green Money)
SNAP stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This program is often called Food Stamps. This money is loaded onto your EBT card every month and is strictly meant for buying food items like groceries, fresh produce, meat, and bread.
- Purpose: To help low-income families buy nutritious food.
- Cash Back Rule: Absolutely no cash back is allowed. This is federal law.
- What happens if you try? If you use your SNAP balance to buy groceries and ask for $20 cash back, the system will only pay for your groceries using the SNAP money. The machine will deny the cash back request because the money is earmarked only for food purchases.
- Penalties: Trying to trade your SNAP benefits for cash (sometimes called “trafficking”) is serious. If you get caught, you can lose your benefits for a long time or even face legal trouble.
If you see signs at the store that say “EBT accepted,” they usually mean they accept the SNAP food benefits portion of your card.
Cash Assistance (TANF and General Assistance)
Cash assistance is a different kind of aid. The most common form is Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), but some states also offer General Assistance (GA). This money is deposited onto your EBT card just like SNAP, but it functions differently.
- Purpose: To help families meet their essential living expenses that are not food, such as rent, utility bills, transportation, and toilet paper.
- Cash Back Rule: Yes, you can get cash back or withdraw this money. Because this is actual cash aid, you are allowed to turn it into physical money.
- How to use it: You can use this money like a regular bank debit card at ATMs or at the checkout counter in stores that offer cash back services.
If you receive both SNAP and TANF, your EBT card manages two separate accounts. When you withdraw cash, the system automatically pulls the money from your Cash Assistance balance.
Getting Cash Back from Your Cash Aid Balance
If you have money in your Cash Assistance account (TANF or GA), there are two main ways to turn that electronic balance into physical cash.
Option 1: Using an ATM (Automated Teller Machine)
This is the most direct way to get cash from your EBT card. EBT cash benefits are usually accepted at any ATM that accepts the networks your state uses. Look for logos like Quest, Star, or Plus on the ATM machine.
Steps for ATM Withdrawal:
- Find a Participating ATM: Your state’s EBT website usually has a map to show you ATMs that do not charge extra fees.
- Insert Your Card: Put your EBT card into the ATM machine.
- Enter Your PIN: Type in your four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN). Never share your PIN with anyone.
- Select “Withdrawal”: Choose the option for withdrawal.
- Select “Checking” or “Cash Benefits”: The ATM may ask which account you want to use. You must select the account linked to your cash aid. (It usually is labeled “Cash,” “Checking,” or “EBT Cash”).
- Enter Amount: Type in how much cash you want. Be aware of the machine’s cash limit and your state’s daily limit.
- Take Cash and Receipt: Take your money, card, and receipt. Always check the receipt to make sure the withdrawal was correct.
Option 2: Getting Cash at a Store Checkout (Point of Sale, or POS)
Many grocery stores, large retailers, and drug stores allow you to get cash back when you make a purchase. This is often more convenient than finding an ATM and sometimes helps you avoid fees.
Steps for POS Cash Back:
- Make a Purchase: Buy something small, like a pack of gum or a loaf of bread. The store may require a purchase to give cash back.
- Swipe Your Card: Swipe your EBT card at the checkout machine.
- Choose “Cash Benefits”: The machine will ask if you are using SNAP or Cash. Select the Cash Benefits option.
- Enter PIN: Type in your PIN.
- Ask for Cash Back: The machine or the cashier will ask if you want cash back. Enter the amount you want to receive.
- Receive Cash: The cashier will hand you the physical cash along with your purchased item.
Important Note: When you do this, the total amount (cost of item + cash back amount) is taken out of your Cash Assistance balance. If you accidentally choose the SNAP option, the machine will deny the entire transaction or only process the purchase price, denying the cash back.
Where Can I Use My EBT Card for Cash Withdrawal?
Finding a location to get cash is usually easy, but there are strict federal rules about where EBT cash cannot be spent or withdrawn.
ATMs: Location, Fees, and Limits
Most bank ATMs and store ATMs will accept your EBT cash card. However, you must be careful about fees.
- Free ATMs: Every state must provide a certain number of ATMs where you can withdraw cash aid without paying a fee. These are often bank ATMs that have agreements with the state EBT system. Check your state’s EBT website to locate these free ATMs.
- Surcharges: If you use an ATM that is not part of your state’s preferred network (a non-network ATM), you might be charged a fee, called a surcharge. This fee is taken out of your cash balance.
- Limits: Your state sets a maximum amount of cash you can take out in a single day or a single transaction. These limits are usually set to keep your money safe. If you try to withdraw more than the limit, the transaction will be denied.
Grocery Stores and Retailers
Most major grocery chains, like Walmart, Kroger, and Safeway, allow cash back at the checkout. They usually have higher daily limits than ATMs do, but the limit is set by the store, not the state.
For instance, one store might let you withdraw up to $40 in cash back, while another might allow $100. Always ask the cashier or look at the POS terminal screen for the store’s specific cash back limit.
Strict Rules and Limits on Using Cash Benefits
While Cash Assistance gives you more freedom than SNAP, the government places very strict rules on how you can spend that money. These rules are put in place to ensure public money is used appropriately.
Banned Locations for Cash Withdrawal or Spending
Federal law states that you cannot use your EBT card (specifically the cash benefits portion) to withdraw money or make purchases at certain kinds of businesses. Using your EBT card at these locations is considered misuse and can lead to penalties.
You cannot use EBT cash at:
- Liquor Stores or Bottle Shops: Businesses that sell 50% or more alcohol.
- Casinos, Gaming Establishments, or Racetracks: Places where you can gamble.
- Strip Clubs or Adult Entertainment Venues.
- Bail Bond Agents or Shops selling weapons/firearms.
- Tobacco Shops: Stores selling mostly cigarettes or smoking accessories.
- Tattoo or Piercing Parlors.
The goal of these rules is simple: public assistance cash must be used for basic, necessary needs. If a location is banned, the ATM located inside that business will likely block your EBT card from withdrawing cash.
Consequences of Misuse
If you use your EBT cash benefits at a banned location, the state agency will know. These transactions are tracked. The penalty for misuse can include:
- Warnings: Receiving a written warning for a first violation.
- Fines: Having to pay back the amount you improperly withdrew.
- Losing Benefits: Temporary or permanent loss of your cash benefits.
Always use your EBT card responsibly and only in places that sell necessary goods and services. If you are unsure if a location is allowed, it is safer to use a mainstream bank ATM or grocery store.
Keeping Track of Your Balance and Transactions
When you get cash back, that money is immediately removed from your Cash Assistance balance. Unlike a regular debit card, EBT cards do not have overdraft protection. If you try to withdraw more money than you have, the transaction will be denied.
It is crucial to keep track of your money by:
- Checking your balance regularly online through your state EBT portal.
- Calling the customer service number on the back of your card.
- Saving all your ATM and POS receipts.
Managing your balance carefully ensures you do not run into problems when you need the money most.
State Variations in EBT Cash Rules
While the rules for SNAP (no cash back) are the same everywhere because they are federal, the rules for Cash Assistance (TANF/GA) can vary significantly from state to state.
Each state decides on:
- The Amount of Cash Assistance: How much money families receive.
- ATM Fee Limits: How many free withdrawals you get per month before fees start. Some states offer unlimited free withdrawals, while others might limit you to two or three.
- P-EBT Programs: During times like the COVID-19 pandemic, some children received Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) cards. P-EBT money is always treated exactly like SNAP food benefits. This means P-EBT cannot be exchanged for cash under any circumstances.
If you have questions about specific limits or fees, you should always contact your local state department of social services or use the toll-free number on the back of your card.
| Feature | SNAP Food Benefits (Food Only) | Cash Assistance (TANF/GA) |
|---|---|---|
| Can I get cash back? | No. Federal law prohibits cash withdrawal or cash back. | Yes. You can withdraw cash or receive cash back at a store. |
| Where is it used? | Grocery stores, authorized farmers’ markets, and convenience stores for food items. | Any location accepting debit cards, including ATMs and store checkout lines. |
| Are there fees? | Not applicable. | Yes, if you use a non-network ATM. Fees are taken from your cash balance. |
| Misuse Penalty Type | Trafficking (serious federal offense). | Improper use (misspending at prohibited locations). |
| How to check balance? | Online portal, phone number, or receipt after a food purchase. | Online portal, phone number, ATM balance inquiry, or receipt after withdrawal. |
Frequently Asked Questions About EBT Cash Back
1. Can I use my SNAP card to buy something cheap and ask for cash back?
No. Even if you buy an approved food item with your SNAP funds, you cannot ask for cash back on the transaction. SNAP money is only approved for buying specific food items. The EBT system is designed to stop any transaction that tries to turn food benefits into physical cash.
2. Do I have to make a purchase to get cash back at a store?
If you are withdrawing cash from a retailer using your Cash Assistance balance, some stores may require a purchase, while others do not. For example, some large retailers allow you to withdraw cash at the customer service desk without buying anything, but they may limit the amount you can take out at one time.
3. Are the fees for EBT cash withdrawals always the same?
No, the fees are not always the same. If you use an ATM outside your state’s designated free network, the ATM operator sets the fee (the surcharge), which is usually around $2.00 to $3.50. Some states will allow only a couple of free withdrawals before the state itself starts charging a small fee.
4. If I have both SNAP and Cash Aid, how does the machine know which balance to use?
The EBT processing machine (POS terminal) will ask you to choose. If you select “Cash Benefits” and ask for cash back, it pulls only from the Cash Assistance balance. If you select “SNAP” or “Food Stamps,” it pulls only from the SNAP food balance. The two accounts are kept strictly separate.
5. What is the maximum amount of cash I can withdraw per day?
The maximum daily withdrawal amount is set by your state agency and can vary widely, but it is often between $400 and $1,000 per day. You also need to consider the limits set by the individual ATM, which may be lower than your state limit, sometimes only $200 per transaction.
6. Why are casinos and liquor stores banned for EBT cash use?
Federal law requires that government assistance money be used for necessary living expenses, such as shelter, clothing, and food. Places like casinos, racetracks, and liquor stores are not considered essential needs. Therefore, using public funds for gambling or buying alcohol is prohibited to ensure responsible spending of tax dollars.
7. Can EBT cash benefits be used to buy things online?
Yes. EBT Cash Assistance can be used like a regular debit card to buy things online, as long as the seller accepts major debit network cards (like Visa or MasterCard, depending on your state’s EBT card branding). This allows you to pay bills or buy necessary items that are not food, such as clothing or furniture, over the internet.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Understanding the difference between your SNAP food benefits and your Cash Assistance benefits is essential for managing your EBT card properly. Always remember the fundamental rule: SNAP is only for food purchases; Cash Assistance can be withdrawn as physical money or used for other necessary expenses. Never attempt to exchange your SNAP benefits for cash, as this breaks federal rules and puts your assistance at risk.
If you receive Cash Assistance, take advantage of the ability to get cash back at grocery stores when possible. This method often helps you avoid fees that non-network ATMs charge. Always keep track of your balance to make sure you stay within your limits and use your benefits wisely. If you have any further questions about allowed withdrawal locations or daily limits, contact the toll-free customer service number listed on the back of your EBT card right away.