If you receive cash assistance through TANF or a similar state program, that money loads onto your EBT card as a separate cash balance you can withdraw at an ATM or get back at checkout as cash back. Most states give you a handful of free ATM withdrawals each month, usually 2 to 4, before charging a small fee of $0.40 to $1.25 per additional withdrawal. On top of that, the ATM owner can charge its own surcharge, typically $2 to $4 at a bank machine you don't belong to or a convenience store ATM. Pick the wrong machine and a single withdrawal can cost you $3 to $5 or more, money that comes straight out of your benefit. This guide covers exactly which ATMs are free, how much you can withdraw per day, and how the cash side of EBT differs from the SNAP food side, since only one of the two can ever come out as cash.
EBT Cash Benefits vs. SNAP Food Benefits
Every EBT card can carry up to two separate balances, and they behave completely differently at the register and at the ATM.
- Cash benefits (TANF, General Assistance, Refugee Cash Assistance, and similar state cash programs) work like a debit card balance. You can withdraw this money at an ATM, get cash back at many retailers, or swipe it like a debit card almost anywhere that accepts debit.
- SNAP food benefits can only be used to buy eligible food items at authorized retailers. SNAP funds cannot be withdrawn as cash, cannot be used for cash back, and cannot be sent to an ATM under any circumstance. If your card shows both a cash and a food balance, only the cash portion is ATM-eligible.
If you only receive SNAP and no TANF or state cash assistance, none of the ATM information below applies to your balance, and you should skip straight to using your card at the register for groceries.
For the actual day your cash balance loads each month, see our EBT cash benefit pickup schedule by state, which covers deposit dates and how each state assigns them.
How Much Does It Cost to Withdraw EBT Cash at an ATM?
Two separate fees can stack on top of each other every time you use an ATM with your EBT cash balance.
1. The state's free withdrawal allowance. Most states allow 2 to 4 free cash withdrawals per calendar month through their EBT processor. Once you use up that allowance, the state itself deducts a small transaction fee, generally $0.40 to $1.25, directly from your remaining cash balance for every withdrawal after that.
2. The ATM owner's surcharge. Separately from anything the state charges, the bank or company that owns the ATM can charge its own fee for using a machine outside its network. Independent ATMs, gas station machines, and convenience store ATMs typically charge $2 to $4 per transaction. This fee is charged regardless of whether you've used up your state's free withdrawals, and it applies to everyone, not just EBT cardholders.
Combined, using the wrong ATM after you've exhausted your free withdrawals can cost you $3 to $5 or more on a single trip, all coming directly out of your benefit dollars. Using a surcharge-free, in-network ATM within your monthly free withdrawal count means you pay nothing at all.
| Fee Type | Who Charges It | Typical Amount |
|---|
| State EBT transaction fee (after free withdrawals used) | Your state's EBT processor | $0.40 to $1.25 per withdrawal |
| ATM owner surcharge | Bank or ATM operator | $0 (in-network) to $2 to $4 (out-of-network) |
| POS cash back fee | Retailer (varies) | Usually free at grocery stores; some retailers charge $0.50 to $1 |
Surcharge-Free ATM Networks for EBT Cardholders
Several major banks waive their own ATM surcharge for EBT cardholders even if you don't hold an account there. This is separate from your state's free withdrawal count, so using one of these networks is the easiest way to avoid the ATM owner's fee entirely.
- Wells Fargo ATMs nationwide
- Chase ATMs nationwide
- Bank of America ATMs nationwide
- Citibank ATMs nationwide
- Allpoint Network, which includes machines inside CVS, Walgreens, Target, and thousands of other retail locations across the country
Using any of these does not require you to be a customer of that bank. You'll still need to check with your state's EBT customer service line to confirm which specific networks are fee-free in your state, since the list of participating banks can vary slightly by state EBT contract.
How to Find a Surcharge-Free ATM Near You
- Call the customer service number on the back of your EBT card. Most state EBT hotlines have an automated ATM locator that reads out nearby free ATMs by ZIP code.
- Check your state's EBT website or mobile app. Many states publish a downloadable list or interactive map of surcharge-free ATMs (California's EBT Project publishes a regularly updated statewide list, for example).
- Look for Allpoint Network signage at CVS, Walgreens, Target, and similar retailers. The Allpoint locator on their website lets you search by ZIP code.
- Avoid ATMs inside casinos, bars, and standalone convenience stores unless you've confirmed they're in your state's free network. These almost always charge the highest surcharges.
Daily and Per-Transaction Withdrawal Limits
Most states cap total EBT cash withdrawals somewhere between $300 and $500 per day, though the exact ceiling depends on your state's rules and how much cash benefit you have available that month. Some ATMs also impose their own per-transaction maximum, often $300 to $500 per swipe, separate from your daily state-imposed cap. If you need to withdraw more than one ATM allows in a single transaction, you may need to make multiple withdrawals, which could trigger additional fees if you've already used your free monthly allowance.
Your card's PIN, the same one you use at the register, is also what you enter at the ATM. If you don't have a PIN or need to reset it, call the number on the back of your card rather than trying random combinations, since most EBT systems lock the card after a small number of failed attempts.
Getting Cash Back at the Register Instead of an ATM
If you'd rather avoid an ATM trip altogether, many grocery stores, convenience stores, and department stores let you request cash back on your EBT cash balance the same way you would with a debit card, by swiping your card, entering your PIN, and selecting a cash back amount at checkout.
- Typical cash back limits at the register range from $40 to $100 per transaction, though this varies by store and state.
- Cash back is only available on your cash balance, never on SNAP food benefits.
- Some retailers charge a small cash back fee, usually $0.50 to $1, while many grocery chains offer it free of charge.
- Not every retailer that accepts EBT offers cash back, so it's worth asking a cashier before you're at the register with a full cart.
Getting cash back at the register can be a good way to combine an errand with a withdrawal and skip a separate ATM fee altogether, especially if your free monthly ATM withdrawals are already used up.
Step-by-Step: Withdrawing Cash From Your EBT Card
- Confirm you have a cash balance. Call the number on the back of your card or check your state's EBT mobile app. If the balance shown is $0, you likely only have SNAP food benefits, which cannot be withdrawn.
- Find a surcharge-free ATM. Use your state's EBT locator tool, or head to a Wells Fargo, Chase, Bank of America, Citibank, or Allpoint Network location (CVS, Walgreens, Target).
- Insert your card and enter your PIN, exactly as you would with a debit card.
- Select "Checking" or "EBT Cash" as the account type. Selecting the wrong account type is one of the most common reasons a withdrawal fails at the ATM.
- Enter the amount you want to withdraw, staying within both your daily state limit and the ATM's per-transaction maximum.
- Take your cash and your receipt. Keep the receipt to track your remaining free withdrawals for the month if your state provides that information on it.
What to Do If a Withdrawal Fails or You're Charged an Unexpected Fee
If your card is declined at an ATM but you know you have a cash balance, the most common causes are an incorrect PIN, selecting "Savings" instead of "Checking" or "EBT," or a temporary system outage with your state's EBT processor. Wait a few minutes and try again, or call your state's EBT customer service line, which is available 24 hours a day in most states.
If you're charged a fee you believe you shouldn't have been, such as a state transaction fee before you've used your free monthly allowance, contact your state's EBT hotline with the date, time, and location of the transaction. Most states can review the transaction log tied to your card number and issue a credit if the fee was charged in error.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw SNAP food benefits as cash at an ATM?
No. SNAP food benefits can only be spent on eligible food items at authorized retailers. They cannot be withdrawn as cash, used for cash back, or accessed at any ATM. Only cash assistance balances, such as TANF, can be withdrawn.
How many free ATM withdrawals do I get per month?
Most states allow 2 to 4 free withdrawals per calendar month on your EBT cash balance. After that, a small state transaction fee, usually $0.40 to $1.25, applies to each additional withdrawal, on top of any surcharge the ATM owner charges.
Which banks let me use their ATMs for free with an EBT card?
Wells Fargo, Chase, Bank of America, and Citibank typically waive their own surcharge for EBT cardholders nationwide, even if you don't bank there. The Allpoint Network, found in CVS, Walgreens, and Target stores, is also generally surcharge-free.
What is the daily withdrawal limit for EBT cash benefits?
Most states cap total daily EBT cash withdrawals between $300 and $500, though the exact limit depends on your state and your available cash balance. Individual ATMs may also cap single transactions at $300 to $500.
Can I get cash back on my EBT card at the grocery store?
Yes, if you have a cash assistance balance (not just SNAP). Many grocery, convenience, and department stores allow cash back of $40 to $100 per transaction when you swipe your EBT card and enter your PIN, similar to a debit card.
What happens if my EBT card is declined at an ATM?
Check that you selected the correct account type, usually "Checking" or "EBT Cash," and that your PIN is correct. If the card still won't work, call the customer service number on the back of your card to check your balance and rule out a system outage.
Do I need a PIN to use my EBT card at an ATM?
Yes. You use the same PIN for ATM withdrawals and cash back that you use for purchases. If you've forgotten your PIN or need to set one up, call your state's EBT customer service line rather than guessing, since repeated failed attempts can lock your card.
