Where Can I Withdraw Money From My EBT Card – Find the Proper ATMs
The Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card is a convenient way to pay for purchases at locations where it is accepted. The good news is that you can get physical cash from ATMs using your EBT card if you want.
Many people who receive government benefits often ask: “Where can I withdraw money from my EBT card?” This is a common question, considering several government assistance programs disburse funds through EBT cards, and some benefits can’t be converted to cash.
This guide shows you ATMs where you can take money from your EBT card without paying any transaction fee. We also share alternative ways to get cash from your EBT card as well as ATMs that charge a fee, just in case you can’t find an EBT surcharge-free ATM near you.
Let’s start by clarifying the type of benefits that can be withdrawn from an EBT card.
Withdrawing Money From EBT Cards: SNAP Versus TANF
Participants in government assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) receive monthly benefits on their EBT cards.
It is important to understand the difference between SNAP and TANF benefits before trying to use your EBT card at the ATM, as not all benefits deposited in an EBT card can be withdrawn as cash.
SNAP (formerly called Food Stamps) is a government assistance program that helps eligible low-income households to afford nutritious food. Although it is a federally funded program, SNAP is administered by individual states that set specific eligibility requirements.
While regulations vary between states, one SNAP rule is common among all states and US territories: You cannot withdraw cash from your EBT card if you receive SNAP benefits. You can only pay for eligible food items at participating stores with your card.
On the other hand, you can withdraw cash at certain ATMs if you receive TANF benefits, considering the funds cover a wider range of needs. The temporary assistance program allows participants to pay for things like food, utilities, transportation, and rent.
To be clear, this guide is strictly for people who receive EBT cash benefits.
Where Can I Withdraw Money From My EBT Card?
Not all ATMs are programmed to handle EBT cards, and some may charge a withdrawal fee. In any case, you should be able to withdraw money at ATM terminals that display the QUEST logo.
EBT Surcharge-Free ATMs
You can withdraw money using your EBT card at ATM terminals of the following banks all around the United States without paying any fee.
- JP Morgan Chase
- Bank of America
- Citibank
- Wells Fargo
- Flagstar Bank
- Chase
- Capital One
- Bank
- Bank of the West
Besides major banks, you can make EBT card withdrawals at many ATM terminals in regional banks nationwide for free. If you are unsure, ask your bank if the service is available.
That said, the surest way to find a surcharge-free ATM in your area is to check your benefits agency’s website.
If you live in any of the following states, visit the benefits agency’s website to find a list of all ATMs that don’t charge a fee for EBT card withdrawals:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- West Virginia
Additionally, you can look for surcharge-free ATM networks like TransFund, MoneyPass, Allpoint, and PULSE at retail stores, credit unions, convenience stores, and grocery stores across the nation.
Keep in mind that these networks offer ATM services in partnership with certain financial institutions. This means participating financial institutions may charge withdrawal or transaction fees at some locations, even though the networks themselves do not charge any fees.
In any case, fees are not charged without your consent. Typically, a message is displayed on the ATM asking you to accept the fee to complete the transaction. You can decline and cancel the withdrawal, and no fees will be charged to your card.
ATMs That Charge Transaction Fees for EBT Withdrawals
Many ATMs charge fees when you withdraw money from your EBT card. And while it makes sense to avoid charges, you might not have easy access to surcharge-free ATMs when you need cash.
The following banks support EBT card withdrawals at their ATM terminals but charge fees.
- Ally
- Citizens Bank
- First National Bank
- HSBC
- Sterling National Bank
- Discover
- BB&T
- TD Bank
- Fifth Third Bank
- City National Bank
- PNC
- M&T Bank
- Valley National Bank
- SunTrust
How to Withdraw Money From Your EBT Card
EBT cards may not have the advanced security features of other bank cards, but getting cash from them at an ATM is essentially the same as using a regular debit card.
To do this:
- Find an ATM terminal that accepts EBT cards (be sure to use a surcharge-free ATM if you don’t want to pay a fee).
- Insert your card into the machine.
- Enter your 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN).
- Press “Enter” or “OK.”
- From the list of options, select “Withdraw Cash.”
- Select “Checking” when prompted to choose your account type.
- Choose the cash amount you want to withdraw. You can also enter an amount you want, but make sure it is in whole dollar amounts, such as $20, $100, or $500.
- If there is a transaction fee, it will be displayed. Select “Cancel” if you don’t want to pay the fee, or select “Continue” to accept the fee and complete the transaction.
- The machine will dispense your cash and receipt. Keep the receipt safe to help you remember your EBT cash balance.
Where Can I Withdraw Money From My EBT Card: ATM Alternatives
If you need cash urgently but can’t find an ATM terminal that supports EBT, you can use any of the following options to withdraw money from your card.
- Use a teller: One of the easiest ATM alternatives is to request a teller withdrawal. Make sure to go to the bank with your EBT card and a means of identification (preferably a government-issued ID).
- Get cash at a POS machine: You can get money at a Point-of-Sale (POS) machine in some stores that accept EBT. First, ask the clerk if the store supports cash benefits withdrawal and if there is a fee. Remember to collect a copy of the transaction receipt so you can keep track of your balance.
- Use a mobile app: Some finance apps, like Cash App, allow you to link your EBT card and transfer your benefits to the app. Go to any participating retailer (such as Walmart, 7-Eleven, or GoMart) to withdraw the money.
- Link to financial services: Some financial services like Netspend and Green Dot support EBT cash benefits transfer. If you can’t find an ATM that supports EBT cash withdrawal in your area, simply transfer the amount you want from your EBT cash benefits account to a card issued by the financial service and withdraw at any participating store.
While you can withdraw money from your EBT card at some ATM-alternative channels, we strongly recommend reaching out to your state benefits agency to understand what is acceptable and what’s not before using these alternative options.
EBT Cash Withdrawal and State Policies
EBT cards can be used in all states and territories of the United States, just like the Section 8 housing voucher can be used anywhere in the United States. However, the rules for EBT cash withdrawals may vary between states.
In most states, you are not allowed to use your EBT cards at ATMs in prohibited locations, such as gambling establishments (casinos), body piercing facilities (tattoos), and liquor stores. Other places where you can’t use your EBT card include psychic service facilities, marijuana dispensaries, race tracks, and adult entertainment establishments.
Some states, like California, allow EBT Cash benefit recipients to withdraw all their balance on supported ATMs. Other states have maximum daily withdrawal limits on EBT cards.
Depending on where you live, you may not have to pay any fees when you withdraw cash from your EBT card. In some states, your first EBT cash withdrawal for each month is free, but subsequent withdrawals are charged at a small fee.
Also, some states allow participants to receive EBT cash benefits as direct deposits in their bank accounts instead of having the funds disbursed into their EBT cards.
Considering these varying policies, it is important to familiarize yourself with your state regulations regarding EBT card withdrawals before withdrawing money from the card to avoid getting in trouble with the law.
Conclusion
If you’ve asked, “Where can I withdraw money from my EBT card?” now you know a few ATMs that allow you to get cash without paying a fee.
Before you opt for ATMs that charge transaction fees, we recommend trying the alternative withdrawal methods in this guide. After all, every dollar counts when trying to find your feet financially.
