To use your EBT card to get cash, withdraw from the cash-assistance balance at an ATM that accepts EBT or ask for cash back at a store checkout. Only the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or state cash-benefit portion of your card can come out as money. SNAP benefits, which sit on the same card for most people, are locked to food purchases and cannot be converted to cash under any circumstances.
Which Part of Your Card Holds Cash
Your EBT card may carry two separate pools of money. SNAP covers food only. TANF or state cash assistance is meant for broader household needs like rent, utilities, clothing, and transportation, and that balance works much like a checking account you can draw from.1Administration for Children and Families (ACF). Improving Services for Families Through Increased TANF Coordination With SNAP Employment and Training Programs Issue Brief When you check your account, the two balances show up separately, and every cash-withdrawal method below draws only from the cash-assistance side.
Not everyone with an EBT card gets cash benefits. If your card only carries SNAP, you won’t see a cash-withdrawal option at the ATM at all. To confirm what’s on your card, call the customer service number printed on the back or sign in to your state’s EBT portal.
Withdrawing Cash at an ATM
ATMs are the most direct way to get to your cash benefits. Look for a machine displaying the Quest mark or an EBT logo, which means it accepts benefit cards. Most bank ATMs and many freestanding machines in convenience stores and shopping centers participate.
The steps mirror any debit withdrawal:
- Insert or swipe your card.
- Enter your four-digit PIN and confirm.
- Select “Withdraw Cash,” then choose “Checking” (wording varies slightly by machine).
- Enter the dollar amount you want, in whole dollars.
The ATM dispenses the cash and prints a receipt showing your remaining balance. Hold on to that receipt. It’s the fastest way to track your spending without logging in anywhere.
Getting Cash Back at a Store Checkout
Many grocery stores, pharmacies, and big-box retailers let you pull cash benefits off your card at the register through the point-of-sale terminal. You can usually get cash back alongside a purchase, and some stores allow a standalone cash withdrawal with no purchase at all.
Tell the cashier you’d like cash back before the transaction starts. Swipe or insert your EBT card, enter your PIN on the keypad, and specify the amount. The money comes out of the register rather than a machine. This route has a real advantage over ATMs: most stores don’t charge a fee for EBT cash back, while ATMs often do. If you’re trying to stretch your benefits, the checkout line is usually the cheaper choice.
Fees and Daily Withdrawal Limits
Two kinds of fees can eat into your cash benefits at an ATM. First, your state’s EBT program may charge a small transaction fee once you’ve used a certain number of free withdrawals in a month. The free allotment and per-transaction charge vary by state but commonly run somewhere between $0.50 and $1.00 per withdrawal after the free ones are used up. Second, the ATM owner can add a surcharge, just as it would for any non-customer using the machine. Those surcharges often run $2.00 to $3.00 and stack on top of any state fee.
A few habits keep costs down. Make fewer, larger withdrawals instead of several small ones. Use store cash back rather than ATMs when you can, since that avoids the ATM owner’s surcharge entirely. Some major banks and credit unions waive surcharges for EBT cards at their branch ATMs, but this varies by institution and location, so ask before you withdraw.
Daily limits also apply. Most states cap EBT cash withdrawals somewhere between $300 and $500 per day, though the exact ceiling depends on your state’s rules and your benefit amount. Individual ATMs may set their own lower per-transaction limits as well. If you need more than the daily cap allows, you’ll have to wait until the next day, when the limit resets.
Where Your Card Won’t Work for Cash
Federal law bars states from letting TANF benefits be accessed at three categories of businesses:
- Liquor stores, meaning retailers that sell alcohol exclusively or primarily (grocery stores that also sell liquor are not included in this ban).
- Casinos and gambling establishments, though a grocery store that happens to share a building with gaming activities is exempt.
- Adult entertainment venues where performers appear undressed.
These restrictions cover ATM withdrawals, point-of-sale transactions, and any other electronic access to your benefits at those locations.2Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 42 USC 608 – Prohibitions; Requirements Some states go further and add their own prohibited locations, such as racetracks or commercial bingo halls. Check your state benefit notice for the full list.
Checking Your Balance Before You Withdraw
Knowing what you have before you get to the ATM or the register prevents declined transactions. You have several options:
- Look at the receipt from your last withdrawal or purchase, which prints the remaining balance.
- Call the customer service number on the back of your card for a 24-hour automated balance check.
- Sign in to your state’s EBT website or mobile app to view balances and recent transactions.
Get in the habit of checking regularly. Beyond simple budgeting, reviewing your transaction history is the fastest way to catch unauthorized charges from skimming or theft.
Protecting Your Card at the ATM
EBT card skimming has become a serious problem. Thieves attach devices to ATMs and store terminals that copy your card data and capture your PIN, then drain both cash and SNAP balances. Unlike a bank debit card, your EBT card does not carry the same federal protections against unauthorized transactions that apply to most financial accounts.3Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. What Should I Do if My EBT Card or PIN Is Lost or Stolen, or I See Unauthorized Charges That makes prevention especially important when you’re withdrawing cash.
A few practical steps help. Cover the keypad with your hand every time you enter your PIN. Wiggle the card reader before you insert your card, because skimming devices are often loosely attached. Avoid standalone ATMs in dimly lit or unmonitored spots. And check your transaction history at least weekly so you catch anything suspicious before more damage is done.
If your card is lost, stolen, or compromised, call the number on the back of the card right away. Write it down somewhere safe now, before you need it. Your state will deactivate the card and issue a replacement, typically within a few business days. Federal rules require states to provide a 24-hour hotline for reporting lost or damaged cards.4eCFR. 7 CFR 274.2 – Providing Benefits to Participants Replacement is generally free, though a small fee may apply in some states if you’ve requested multiple replacements.
If Your Cash Is Stolen
Federal funding that allowed states to reimburse SNAP benefits stolen through card skimming expired at the end of 2024. As of early 2026, no permanent federal replacement program has been enacted, though legislation has been introduced in Congress. In most states, if a thief drains your SNAP or cash balance, you may not get those benefits back. Some states have created their own reimbursement programs, so ask your caseworker whether your state offers any protection. The uncertainty is exactly why guarding your PIN, checking your balance, and reporting problems fast matter so much.
Using Your Card in Another State
EBT cards generally work across state lines the same way a debit card does. If you’re traveling or relocating, you can use your card at ATMs and stores in other states that accept EBT. SNAP moves seamlessly because the program is federally standardized. TANF cash benefits also work at most out-of-state ATMs and retailers, though a handful of states restrict out-of-state use of cash assistance. If you’ll be away from your home state for an extended stretch, contact your local benefits office before you leave. Some states treat prolonged absence as a change in residency, which can affect your eligibility.