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Using CalFresh and Benefits

You can use your CalFresh benefits at many different types of participating stores in person and online  Many businesses will post some type of public notice or sign that says EBT cards are accepted. Some pharmacies, like CVS and Walgreens, will also accept EBT payment for eligible food items. You also can use an EBT card at some convenience stores/gas stations, farmers markets, and more. If you aren’t sure whether a food seller will accept your EBT card, you can look up the business using the online USDA SNAP Retailer Locator tool.

 

Check out the SNAP Retail Locator to learn where you can use your CalFresh benefits physically.  You can also check out the SNAP Online Locator to learn where you can use your CalFresh benefits online.

 

CalFresh Balance

When are monthly benefits Deposited?

EBT-Card-Front.png
The last number of your case number
Benefits available 
1
1st day of the month
2
2nd day of the month
3
3rd day of the month
4
4th day of the month

5

5th day of the month

6

6th day of the month

7

7th day of the month

8

8th day of the month

9

9th day of the month

0

10th day of the month

How can I find my CalFresh account balance?

There are three ways to find your account balance:

  • By phone at 1-877-328-9677
  • Online at www.ebt.ca.gov  or Providers App
  • Printed on your receipt from an EBT/CalFresh purchase
  • If you have amazon, you can also check on the website or app as well!

Using ProvidersApp in California

The Providers Website shares information on how to use CalFresh and the Providers App. The all-in-one money app that helps with EBT management, mobile banking, benefit updates, discounts and more!

  • See instant balances and Spending history
  • Find stores that accept EBT

Apple Store: Providers: EBT, debit, & more

Google Play Store: Providers: EBT, debit & more 

Using your EBT Card In Person and Online

What can you buy with CalFresh?

You can use CalFresh to buy a variety of food items, including seeds and plants that grow food for your household!

Examples:

  • Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen canned)
  • Meat, poultry, and fish (fresh, frozen canned)
  • Dairy products (fresh or shelf-stable)
  • Breads, cereal, baked goods
  • Cake/brownie mixes, ice cream etc.
  • Spices and seasoning
  • Honey, sugar, maple syrup, and other natural or artificial sweeteners
  • Ketchup, mustards, other condiments
  • Seeds and plants (that produce food for the household to eat)

*When buying foods online (i.e. Amazon) the product will state if it’s EBT eligible

To learn more about what CalFresh can buy and what it cannot buy, check out the FNS SNAP Website.

 

What is not covered with CalFresh?

There are a few things CalFresh does not cover . You cannot buy any foods that are already prepared or heated in store.  CalFresh does not cover alcoholic beverages, foods that are already prepared or heated in store and non-food items.

  • Pet food
  • Household supplies
  • Vitamins
  • Prepared foods
  • Alcohol
  • Beverages that do not have a “nutritional facts label”

How to use your EBT Card In Person

  1. Go to the checkout lane. 
  2. Swipe your EBT card into the Card Reader
  3. The Card Reader will ask you to choose between Food or Cash
    1. For CalFresh benefits, select Food
  4. Enter your four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) on the keypad and press the OK or ENTER key. Never give your PIN to anyone, not even the cashier.
  5. The amount of your purchase will be deducted from your EBT account.

Using CalFresh at UC San Diego

You can use your EBT card at any of the following locations

  • The Market at Seventh College
  • Roger's Market 
  • Earl's Market at Canyon Vista Marketplace
  • Sixth Market
  • Sunshine Market
  • Target at Price Center

*Notify your Cashier at the Dining Markets when using EBT as they may need to direct you to a different register.

Using your EBT Card on Amazon Online

  1. Sign up on Amazon at www.amazon.com/snap 
  2. Enter your card number
  3. Starting purchasing food with your EBT Card!
    1. Grocery items will be labeled as SNAP EBT Eligible which means you can use you EBT Card to order groceries through

Using your EBT on InstaCart Online

  1. Sign up on Instacart  at www.instacart.com/ebt-snap 
  2. Enter your card number
  3. Start shopping with your EBT Card!
    1. The following stores accept EBT
      1. ALDI
      2. Cardenas Market
      3. Lucky SuperMarket
      4. Sprouts Farmers Market
      5. And more, check out Instacart SNAP via EBT

Using your EBT on Ralphs Online

  1. Create a Ralphs Account/ Login to current Ralphs Account
  2. Once login, enter your zip code and pick your store
    1. Click Start Shopping
  3. Select Check Out
    1. At Check out, chose prefer pick up options
    2. Select payment card type EBT card  
    3. Add an EBT card. Enter card number and optionally select as default payment. SNAP EBT balance will be applied to SNAP-eligible items. Select Save.  

Using your EBT on Vons Online

  1. Create a Vons Account/ Login to current Vons Account
  2. Update your payment information in  your Albertson Account
    1. Add a second payment type for non-SNAP eligible items and fees
  3. Build your cart
    1. Shop for items you need and check out
  4. Place your order
    1. You’ll receive an order confirmation with all the details

Using your EBT on Albertson Online

  1. Create a Albertson Account/ Login to current Albertson Account
  2. Update your payment information in  your Albertson Account
    1. Add a second payment type for non-SNAP eligible items and fees
  3. Build your cart
    1. Shop for items you need and check out
  4. Place your order
    1. You’ll receive an order confirmation with all the details

Using your EBT on Target Online

  1. Create a Target Account/ Login to current Target Account
  2. Update payment information in your Target account  
    1. Select  Add payment card  
    2. Select payment card type EBT card  
    3. Add an EBT card. Enter card number and optionally select as default payment. SNAP EBT balance will be applied to SNAP-eligible items. Select Save.  
  3. Build your cart and check out  
    1. When you arrive at checkout, you will be able to edit the amount applied to the SNAP EBT payment if needed prior to selecting Place your order  
    2. You will need to enter your EBT PIN and select  Confirm.  

Using your EBT on Walmart Online

  1. Create a Walmart Account/ Login to current Walmart Account
  2. Update your payment information in your Walmart account.
    1. Add your card information, then click Save card.
    2. By connecting your EBT card to your account, you’ll be able to use EBT Online with no-basket minimums.
      1. Please allow up to 24 hours for the no-basket minimum to take effect on your account

CalFresh Perks & Benefits

The following Perks, Benefits, and Discounts are available to individuals who have been approved to the CalFresh Program:

Restaurant Meals Program

For individuals who may have difficulty preparing meals for themselves or do not have a place to store and cook food, the Restaurant Meals Program allows elderly, disabled and homeless individuals and their spouses receiving benefits to use their CalFresh benefits to purchase meals from participating restaurants. CalFresh recipients must qualify and be approved for the RMP before purchasing any cooked meals. Check your local participating San Diego restaurants on the 2-11 RMP map.

SDG&E

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) company offers a discount of 30% or more on your monthly bill! Apply now and see if you qualify for either California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) or Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program. You have the power to save energy and money!

Amazon Prime

Memberships for Amazon Prime are 50% off for qualifying customers with EBT or Medicaid card, that’s $5.99/month*. This includes many additional benefits such as Free-Shipping, Whole Foods Market membership discount, Unlimited access to Prime Video/Music, etc. Read more about additional benefits!

Market Match

Market Match is California's healthy food incentive program, which matches customer's federal nutrition assistance benefits like CalFresh at Farmers’ Markets. They will match you up to $10 of your benefits, so in return you will receive a total of $20 tokens or vouchers to spend during your visit. Check out the Farmers' Market Finder page to find your nearest participating locations.

¡Más Fresco! More Fresh Program

The ¡Más Fresco! More Fresh Program, also known as the Southern California Nutrition Incentive Program, is a partnership between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), University of California, San Diego Center for Community Health, and Northgate González Market. The primary goal of this program is to evaluate the effect of financial incentives on the purchase and consumption of fruits and vegetables among Calfresh recipients. This program provides financial incentives to Calfresh recipients when they purchase qualifying fresh fruits and vegetables with their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. These incentive dollars can then be used to purchase additional qualifying fresh fruits and vegetables, with the goal of increasing their purchasing power and overall consumption of healthy foods.

Calfresh recipients who enroll in the ¡Más Fresco! More Fresh Program will earn $1 in financial incentives for every $1 of Calfresh EBT dollars spent on fruits and vegetables at participating Northgate González Markets, up to $40 per month.

You can enroll in the ¡Más Fresco! More Fresh Program today!

Museums for All

Visit your local participating museums, zoos, aquariums, such as the Birch Aquarium for free admission or a special discount of $3 admission fee, up to 4 people per visit. Check out the Museums for All page to find the nearest participating locations. 

Federal Lifeline Program

If you are currently receiving CalFresh and your income is below a certain level, you may qualify for FREE or low-cost home or cell phone service through the Lifeline program. Check out the this list of participating California home/cell/internet providers for discounted rates.