Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)

Electronic Benefit Transfer

FAQs Protecting your EBT card Stagger Days Terms to Know Archives

Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo have a $3 surcharge fee when you withdraw your cash benefits from their ATMs.

You can use your EBT card at any store or ATM that displays the QuestÂ® mark throughout California and across the country. For information regarding surcharge-free ATM locations, click here.

Where Can I Use My EBT Card?

Los Angeles County participants are using the State's Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system to receive CalFresh and cash benefits.

EBT will, in no way, impact the benefit amount, eligibility requirements or what cardholders may purchase using their CalFresh or cash benefits. With EBT, participants (primary cardholder) and designated alternate cardholders use the EBT (Golden State Advantage) card with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to access their benefits electronically. All cardholders may use their EBT (Golden State Advantage) card at participating retailers with a Point-of-Sale (POS) device and automated Teller machines (ATMs) displaying the Quest® logo.

Important Message

CalFresh Trafficking

What is CalFresh Trafficking?

CalFresh Trafficking is when CalFresh benefits are bought, sold, or traded for cash. It is also considered Trafficking when benefits are traded for items other than eligible food, such as firearms, ammunition, explosives, or controlled substances. (This is Fraud, it is a Crime and it is Against The Law!)

CalFresh Penalties for Trafficking:

If you do not follow CalFresh rules, your benefits can be stopped for 12 months for the first violation, 24 months for the second, and forever for the third. You may be fined up to $250,000 and/or sent to jail/prison for 20 years.

If you are found guilty in any court of law or administrative hearing because:

you traded or sold CalFresh benefits for firearms, ammunition, or explosives;
Your CalFresh benefits can be stopped forever for the first violation.
you traded or sold CalFresh benefits for a controlled substance;
Your CalFresh benefits can be stopped for 24 months for the first violation and forever for the second.
you traded or sold CalFresh benefits that were worth $500 or more;
Your CalFresh benefits can be stopped forever.

If your household receives CalFresh benefits, it must follow these rules:

Do not trade or sell your Electronic Benefit Card (EBT) card.
Do not alter your EBT card to get CalFresh benefits you are not entitled to get.
Do not use CalFresh benefits to buy ineligible items such as alcoholic drinks, tobacco, paper, or cleaning products.
Do not buy or use someone else's EBT card for your household.

If you witness any type of fraud, including CalFresh Trafficking, REPORT IT!

Report Fraud to Los Angeles County Welfare Fraud Prevention and Investigation:

Central Fraud Reporting Line: (800) 349-9970 We Tip Hotline: (800) 782-7463

You may also report CalFresh Trafficking to the USDA Office of Inspector General:

Call: (800) 424-9121 or E-Mail: usda_hotline@oig.usda.gov

Free Admission to Events

CalWORKs/Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and CalFresh families have free admission by showing the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card!