Many Californian households have mysteriously received a $20.01 cash deposit on their Electronic Benefit Transfer EBT cards as SNAP benefits.
The additional funds on their EBT cards are part of a one-time, annual heat-and-eat benefit for certain CalFresh recipients, which is intended to increase their food benefits.
SNAP Benefits increased CalFresh and LIHEAP
A specific provision of federal law gives the state the authority to increase the number of SNAP benefits provided to households that are already receiving CalFresh benefits and are also eligible for assistance with heating costs through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
In other words, if a household is receiving benefits from CalFresh and also receives assistance with heating costs from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, then the state (LIHEAP).
When this occurs, the state will make a separate deposit of $20.01 onto the EBT card as a cash benefit. This cash benefit can be used to make purchases of items that are not considered food, or it can be withdrawn as cash at any time.
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How to make the most of the heat and eat benefits
The heat and eat benefit is restricted to CalFresh recipients who only receive food benefits and no cash assistance. By selecting the EBT cash option during checkout, non-food items can be purchased with the $20.01 deposited onto the EBT card as cash and used at any store that accepts EBT cards.
Additionally, recipients may withdraw the $20 from an ATM that does not charge EBT users a fee.
The California Department of Social Services has compiled a list of no-fee ATMs on its website, which can be used to locate them. This list contains a map of no-fee ATMs, which can be located here:
Users can filter the map to display ATMs, then click Free under Surcharge amount to view a list of fee-free ATMs.
The California Department of Social Services – ACL 14-66 contains additional information regarding the heat and eating benefits.
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