The US state of California uses the California Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card as a payment method to disperse payments to qualified individuals and families for CalFresh Benefits.
EBT cards are essentially plastic debit cards that have money put onto them to help pay for necessities like food, financial assistance, and other benefits.
Accessing Food Benefits Using EBT Cards
The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program and administered by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), includes the EBT program.
Similar to a typical debit card, the California EBT card operates in the same way. A card with a special Personal Identification Number (PIN) that can be used to access benefits is given to each recipient.
It is accepted at approved merchants like supermarkets, farmers’ markets, and other vetted businesses that take EBT payments. The recipient swipes their EBT card and inputs their PIN to complete the transaction when making purchases.
Their benefit balance is reduced by the relevant sum. Helping low-income individuals and families achieve their nutritional needs is the main goal of the California EBT card.
Only qualified food items, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products, and bread, are eligible for SNAP benefits, which are accessed through the EBT card.
Read more: Denied CalFresh Benefits? Here’s What To Do!
Expanding Food Access For CalFresh Beneficiaries
The program aims to increase the availability of wholesome food for those who are struggling with money, hence reducing hunger and fostering improved health outcomes.
The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) in California allows qualified EBT cardholders who get CalFresh benefits and are homeless, elderly, or disabled to use their EBT cards to make hot-prepared meal purchases from participating restaurants.
Each county determines a cardholder’s RMP eligibility, which is then automatically validated by the point-of-sale (POS) equipment used for EBT transactions at approved eateries.
The POS device will display an error notice and the transaction will be denied if a client is discovered to be ineligible. Various POS systems may use different denial codes.
Read more: CalFresh For Students: How To Apply For California Food Benefits In 2023?