Use Your EBT Card Online

As of April 28, 2020 you can use your CalFresh EBT card to make purchases online.

Individuals and families can purchase groceries online using their CalFresh EBT card at Amazon and Walmart. If you receive CalWORKs, you may also be able to use your cash benefits to make purchases online at Wal-Mart.

• See these printable flyers in English and Spanish.
• See these printable fact sheets in English and Spanish.

California expedited implementation of EBT online purchasing in response to COVID-19. Allowing for EBT online purchases will support vulnerable populations in meeting their nutrition needs, especially while a statewide stay-at-home order remains in place. California is actively working to expand the number of stores that accept EBT online in the future.

CalFresh provides monthly food benefits that help individuals and families buy healthy, nutritious food! Even if temporary, individuals and families who have experienced a change in their circumstances and need additional help may apply for CalFresh. Californians can visit GetCalFresh.org to apply or call 1-877-847-3663 (FOOD) to be connected to their local county social services office.

UPDATE NOVEMBER 12:

Starting November 12, 2020, the option to use EBT online has expanded to include a number of  

Albertsons, Safeway, and Vons grocery store locations. They will accept EBT online when choosing pickup at participating "Drive Up and Go" stores.  

You can find updated EBT Online materials in English and Spanish on the CDSS website at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/ebt-online. These materials include a list (in English and Spanish) of participating Albertsons, Safeway, and Vons grocery store locations. At this time, none of them are in Santa Barbara County, but the list will be updated if that changes.

More CalFresh on Your EBT Card in April & May 2020

If you get CalFresh, you may get extra CalFresh benefits on your EBT card to help buy food during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis in April and May 2020. See these printable flyers in English or Spanish, or read on below for details.

Will I get extra CalFresh benefits? If you got CalFresh in March or will get it in April, and you are not already getting the maximum for your household size, then you will get extra benefits up to the maximum. For example, a 3-person household that normally gets $200 per month will get an extra benefit of $309, because $509 is the maximum benefit for a household of 3.

When can I use the extra CalFresh? If you got CalFresh for March, extra benefit will be ready to use on April 12. If you got CalFresh for April, extra benefits will be ready to use on May 10.

Will I need to turn in paperwork or apply to get the extra CalFresh? No. You don’t need to fill out extra paperwork. The extra CalFresh will be added to your EBT card and you’ll be able to use it just like regular CalFresh.

What other assistance is available during COVID-19? You can call your local 2-1-1 or the state hotline 833-544-2374 to get referrals to additional local resources, or visit this resource page online: https://bit.ly/covid-food-resources.

What if I’m not getting CalFresh? You can apply! Go to GetCalFresh.org to fill out an application, or call 1-877-847-3663 to get connected to your local county office.

Why the extra benefit? It is intended to provide a little extra help during the economic challenge of COVID-19, and was part of the “Families First Act” (H.R. 6201) passed by Congress and signed into law on March 18, 2020.