sandiegocounty.gov Electronic Benefit Transfer Card EBT : Health & Human Services Agency San Diego

Name of the Organization : Health & Human Services Agency San Diego
Type of Facility : Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card
State : California
Country : United States of America

Website : http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/ssp/food_stamps/ebt.html
Application Guideline : https://www.statusin.org/uploads/25895-EBTcard.pdf

San Diego Electronic Benefit Transfer Card

** CalFresh and cash aid benefits come on a plastic card that you can use just like a debit or ATM card.
** It is called an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.

Related  : Health & Human Services Agency San Diego How to Apply for CalFresh : www.statusin.org/25892.html

** EBT signs are posted on store doors, in check-out lanes, at automated teller machines (ATM) and point-of-sale (POS) machines tell you if your EBT card can be used at that store or machine.
** Starting September 21, 2009, you can access the EBT Client Website at ebt.ca.gov in English and / or Spanish to

** Check your CalFresh and cash benefit balances,
** See your EBT card use history, and
** Find places to use your EBT card, including surcharge-free* cash locations.
** To find stores in San Diego County that accept CalFresh/SNAP EBT cards, click SNAP Retailer Locator

Additional Information :
** State of California EBT Project
** California Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card Pamphlet
** To find out if you may be eligible to receive CalFresh/SNAP, you can complete the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Pre-Screening Tool.
** If you have any questions, call Access toll-free at 866-262-9881, or e-mail Access.**

Eligibility Requirements :
** You may be eligible for CalFresh if your income falls within certain limits.
** See below for information on how income is calculated along with benefit amounts, requirements for applying, and how benefits are issued via an EBT Card.
** Individuals who purchase and prepare food together are one household for CalFresh purposes and must have their eligibility determined as a group/household.

** There are situations where some individuals must be included in the same household regardless of how they buy and cook their food.
** Examples include parents and children under age 22, spouses, and adults exercising parental control over minors in the home.

Residency :
** Must be a resident of San Diego County.
** Persons without a permanent residence or a fixed mailing address can get CalFresh as long as they are San Diego County residents.

Identity :
** The identity of the person applying must be verified.
** Identity may be verified through a variety of documents, including but not limited to, Department of Motor Vehicles ID or driver’s license, work or school ID, voter registration card or birth certificate.

Citizenship Status :
** U. S. citizens and many noncitizens are eligible for CalFresh.
** Even if some members of the household are not eligible, those who are may be able to get CalFresh benefits.

Social Security Numbers :
** Individuals, including children, applying for CalFresh benefits, must either provide a Social Security number or proof they have applied for a Social Security Number.
** Household members that are not eligible for CalFresh do not have to provide or apply for a Social Security Number.

Asset Limits :
** Effective February 1, 2011, assets for most CalFresh applicants and recipients will not be considered or verified to determine eligibility to CalFresh.

Income :
** CalFresh counts most types of income to determine if a household is eligible.
** Most households must have a total gross monthly income less than or equal to 200% of the federal poverty level, to be potentially eligible for CalFresh.
** Gross monthly income means a household’s total income before excluding deductions allowed under the program.
** Deductions are expenses that are subtracted from the household’s monthly gross income when determining eligibility and the amount of CalFresh benefits that will be received monthly.

About Your Card/Your PIN :
** If your card is lost or stolen, call Customer Service right away.
** Take good care of your card.
** Keep your card in a safe place.
** DO NOT let anyone else use your card without permission.
** You use your PIN every time you use your card except when a paper voucher is used.
** DO NOT leave your card at the ATM or POS machine.
** Call your public assistance office if you move. You will be able to use your benefits in your new county.

About Your Balances :
** Save your receipts so you know your account balance.
** Check your account balance before you go shopping.
** You can withdraw up to your entire cash account balance from an ATM or POS in one day. However, depending on the ATM or POS limits, you may need to do more than one transaction.
** You can check your account balance at ebt.ca.gov.

About POS Machines :
** Use a POS machine to buy food with your food stamp benefit account or get cash benefits.
** You will never be charged a fee of any kind for using your food stamp benefits.
** The store may charge a surcharge for getting cash if you do not make a purchase. Ask the store about its policy.

About ATMs :
** Use an ATM to withdraw cash benefits.
** Some ATMs charge surcharges. Check with your local public assistance office to find out where you can use your card without a surcharge.
** After you have made four cash withdrawals in one month at an ATM or POS, each additional ATM withdrawal will cost 80 cents.

How to UseYour EBT Card at a Point-of-Sale (POS) Machine :
** The steps you follow may be different for each type of POS you use.
** Don’t be afraid to ask the clerk for help.

To Buy Food at a POS Machine :
Know your balance! Check your last receipt or call Customer Service before shopping or check your balance at ebt.ca.gov.
Step 1 :
** Choose your groceries and go to the checkout lane. Depending on the store, you may need to separate your eligible food items from non-eligible items.

Step 2 :
** Swipe your card through the Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal or hand your EBT Card to the clerk.

Step 3 :
** Enter your four-number Personal Identification Number (PIN) on the keypad.
** The terminal will show **** instead of the numbers you entered.

Step 4 :
** Press the “ENTER” key.
Step 5 :
** The clerk enters the food stamp benefit amount.
** If the amount is correct, press the “OK” or “YES” key.

Step 6 :
You will get a copy of a printed receipt showing:
** Store name and address
** Amount of your purchase
** Your new food stamp benefit account balance

Step 7 :
** Keep your receipt so you will know your new balance the next time you shop.
** Remember you cannot be charged a fee to use your food stamp benefits and you cannot get cash or change back from your food stamp benefit account.
** When you use your EBT Card, the county will not know what you bought.