How to get cash back with ebt card

Using your Card

EBT Card Issuance

  • First time benefit recipients will be mailed an EBT card with instructions on use. 
  • If you received benefits in the past 25 months and still have your EBT card, you can still use that card.
  • If you are reapplying for benefits and no longer have your EBT card or your card has expired, please contact EBT customer service at 1-888-356-3281 for a replacement.  You may call EBT Customer Service at any time.  Another EBT card is not automatically mailed to you when your case is approved.
  • Your EBT Card will arrive in 5 – 7 business days
  • If your card has been cancelled or has expired it cannot be used and will need to be replaced.

©2019 Florida Department of Children & Families

Getting cash out of your Food Stamp Program card is like using a debit card. You can ask for cash back when making a purchase at participating cash-over grocery stores, gas stations and retailers. You can also directly withdraw cash from your Food Stamp Program card at many automatic teller machines, or ATMs. However, before cashing out, ensure you're enrolled in the state's cash assistance or supplemental nutrition assistance programs. If you are unsure where to check, contact your local welfare benefits office that issued your card.

Tips

  • You can withdraw cash from your government Food Stamp Program by using the debit card provided to you. This debit card can be used with the majority of ATMs in operation today.

Evaluating The EBT Card

Food stamps are no longer issued in the United States. Most states use a debit-card system known as "Electronic Benefit Transfer," or EBT. Most states have retained the Food Stamp Program name for their electronic food assistance benefits. Not all individuals qualify for cash assistance, though, even if you already qualify for food assistance. If you have an EBT card and you qualify for cash assistance, you can use it as you would a debit card, which also means asking for cash back at participating stores. You can find an EBT location using sites like EBT Near Me.

Cashing Out at the Store

You've likely shopped at stores where you were asked if you would like to take any cash out on the debit card you used. Only some retailers offer this perk. Walgreens is one, but only some Walgreens locations accept EBT as payment. Before you visit a store, check to make sure it both accepts EBT and offers cash back on your purchases.

Once you've found a location that allows it, make a regular purchase at the store. Swipe your Food Stamp Program card at the cash register, then enter your secret PIN. Select "Cash" on the credit/debit card kiosk. Then enter the amount of cash you want. Alternatively, the cashier can -- or may be required -- to enter the cash amount for you. Receive your cash from the cashier.

Cashing Out at the ATM

You can also use your EBT card at participating ATM locations to retrieve cash. Cash limits vary from one location to the next and you will incur a fee, but this can be a convenient way to get cash out.

Once you've arrived at a participating ATM, insert or swipe your Food Stamp Program card. Type your secret PIN to access your funds. Select the "Withdrawal" or "Withdraw" option. Press the "Checking" button, then enter the dollar value. Remove the cash from the machine and take the receipt for your transaction.

How to get cash back with ebt card

How to get cash back with ebt card
Disclosure: We’re letting you know that this post contains sponsored links which The Smart Wallet receives compensation for, which may impact their order of appearance because talking about money should always be an honest discussion.

When you’re on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), you know that any action that can help stretch your food budget even further would be amazing when you use your EBT card.

This article will help you legally get cash back for your groceries but first, let’s alleviate one misconception for those that are unfamiliar!

Misconception #1: It’s illegal to “make money” from food stamps/SNAP
Yes and no. It IS illegal if you’re reselling the food that you purchased, illegal if you traded your SNAP card to a store owner for cash, and illegal if you’re letting someone else that is not authorized to use your card.

Some people consider getting “cash back” as making money but in this case, you are using the SNAP card as intended to get groceries for your household. So you can absolutely use coupons and free-to-use cash back apps like Ibotta to earn serious money back!

Our readers have earned a range of $200 all the way to more than $2,000 cash back just by using Ibotta, so we’ll show you how!

Just follow these steps, and you’ll be able to make $25-50 extra a month.

1. Plan, plan, plan! Make a grocery list

Before your trip to the grocery store, you gotta PLAN your list.

Write down the items you actually need before opening Ibotta.

2. Open Ibotta & search for offers

When you open Ibotta, head to “Find Offers” and select a specific store. You’ll see a long list of cash back offers but check out the What’s Hot, Best Value, New Offers, and Any Item sections to help narrow it down.

Tap the + sign on any offer you like to add it to your account. There will be times where you’ll have to watch a short ad or answer a question related to that product but it’s easy!

All offers that you save can be found in “My Offers” so you can keep track.

How to get cash back with ebt card

3. Ibotta is great for bonuses. Don’t miss them!

When you’re done adding the Ibotta offers that you like, head over to “Earn More” for BONUS opportunities.

Bonus opps occur when you redeem multiple offers for instance:

  • $5 bonus for redeeming 4 offers
  • $10 bonus for redeeming 5 offers
  • $20 bonus for redeeming 70 offers

It adds up! There are also teamwork bonuses too where you and your friends/family can work together to earn even more cash bonuses.

How to get cash back with ebt card

4. Now back to your grocery list

This is just to keep things organized. After checking Ibotta, just go back to your grocery list, and note down which items are Ibotta so you know which items can qualify for cash back rebates.

Save even more when if you happen to have paper/digital coupons to stack on top of your list!

5. Use the barcode scanner at the store to double-check

At the store, be sure to use Ibotta’s barcode scanner to double-check your items to make sure they qualify for cash back. If the size or the quantity doesn’t match, then it won’t be eligible for cash back so don’t spend when you don’t need to!

6. ALWAYS get the receipt

This is the most important aspect of using Ibotta so remember to always get the receipt and keep it more or less, wrinkle-free. (Keep it away from the kids!)

When you upload a picture of the receipt, it’ll start matching the offers you’ve already added to your account, and you’ll see the cash back roll in sometimes immediately or a few hours.

How to get cash back with ebt card

7. Cash out when you hit $20!

Ibotta offers PayPal, Venmo, or gift card options to pick from when you hit $20. We prefer the PayPal or Venmo options since that’s straight cash and most of our readers do too!

Check out the lifetime earnings of Jessica Maloy from PA who’s been an Ibotta member since 2018:

How to get cash back with ebt card
Screenshot provided by Jessica via Facebook Messenger

And Robin M. from NY who earned over $2,000 for her lifetime earnings!

How to get cash back with ebt card
Screenshot provided by Robin via Facebook Messenger

8. Get that welcome bonus (up to $20)

When you’re a new member, you score a $10 welcome bonus when you sign up through The Smart Wallet. Download Ibotta now!

Get an additional $5 when you redeem any Mobile Offer (Walmart, Amazon, Target.com etc)

Get ANOTHER $5 when you keep on using Ibotta for your next in-store or mobile offer redemption. All this totals up to $20. The catch is you’ll have to do all 3 steps within 30 days of creating your Ibotta account, which we think is quite reasonable!

You can also refer friends and family for extra cash (5 friends = $50!)

9. Upload your grocery receipt to Fetch Rewards too

When you’re done uploading your receipt to Ibotta, utilize the same receipt and upload it to Fetch Rewards, another app that’ll maximize cash back for you.

There’s no need to pre-select offers, just take a picture of any grocery receipt (even from convenience stores) and it’ll give you points to redeem for free gift cards!


Get in the habit of using Ibotta and Fetch Rewards (both free to use) to get actual cash back every time you use your SNAP card. Remember, you’re already buying groceries for your household, so why wouldn’t you want to be SMART and get that free money back?

How do I get cash off my EBT card PA?

Recipients are able to use their EBT Access Card to obtain cash benefits through ATMs located throughout the state. In addition, recipients are able to make cash purchases and receive cashback through POS terminals at participating retailers.

How do I get cash from my EBT card in California?

Step 1 Insert or swipe your card in the ATM. Step 2 Enter your four-number Personal Identification Number (PIN) on the keypad and press the “OK” or “ENTER” key. Step 3 Select “WITHDRAW CASH” and then select “CHECKING.” (Some ATMs use different words.)

How does Ibotta work with EBT?

EBT cards can't be used for pay with Ibotta, https://help.ibotta.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025373453-What-kind-of-payment-methods-can-I-use-. The pay with Ibotta option is a way to earn extra back, but isn't required to get rebates.

Can you withdraw cash from EBT Florida?

Florida provides you with 2 free “cash only” withdrawals per month. After the first 2, there is an 85¢ transaction fee for each additional “cash only” withdrawal. You will not be charged when you get cash back at the same time you buy something.