Recently, a few Californian families have recently been in a state of confusion after receiving an unanticipated cash withdrawal that was $20.01 to the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
The extra cash they receive on those EBT cards is a single annual benefit, called “heat and eat”. “heat and eat” benefit which is intended to enhance the benefits of food for certain CalFresh beneficiaries.
The federal law offers intricate detail in which the state may raise food benefits for certain households that are eligible for CalFresh.
When they also qualify for heating assistance through the program known as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
In these situations states, they add a $20.01 Cash benefit on the EBT card to create a distinct account that could be used to purchase food items or withdraw in cash.
The recipients can also withdraw $20 from an ATM which does not charge fees to EBT card users. The extra cash could be advantageous to households struggling financially and will assist them in paying for the costs of food and other expenses.
6 Possible Reasons, Why You Get $20 Cash on Your EBT Card
If you’re a recipient of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, you may have received $20 in cash on your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.
Here are some possible reasons why this might have happened:
1. Emergency Allotment
The federal government has been providing emergency allotments (EA) to households receiving SNAP benefits in response to the pandemic.
These EA payments are meant to help families who may have lost income due to the pandemic or experienced food insecurity. If you received $20 in cash on your EBT card, it could be part of the EA payment.
2. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
TANF is a federal assistance program that provides financial assistance to low-income families with dependent children.
Depending on your state’s policy, TANF cash assistance may be deposited directly onto your EBT card. If you received $20 in cash on your EBT card, it could be part of your TANF benefit.
3. Transitional Assistance
Transitional Assistance is a program designed to help individuals who are transitioning off of government assistance and into self-sufficiency.
This program provides financial assistance for a limited period of time to help with rent, utilities, and other basic needs.
If you received $20 in cash on your EBT card, it could be part of your transitional assistance benefit.
4. Child Support Collections
If you owe child support, the state may collect money from your EBT account to pay back the owed child support.
If you received $20 in cash on your EBT card, it could be the result of a child support collection.
5. Overpayment
If you were overpaid for SNAP benefits in the past and did not pay back the overpayment, the state may collect the overpayment from your EBT account.
If you received $20 in cash on your EBT card, it could be the result of an overpayment collection.
6. Error
It is possible that the $20 in cash on your EBT card was deposited in error. If you suspect an error, you should contact your state’s SNAP office immediately to report the issue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the “heat and eat” benefit provides a one-time yearly deposit of $20.01 to eligible CalFresh recipients who also qualify for heating assistance under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
This additional cash can be used to purchase non-food items or withdrawn as cash, providing some financial relief for struggling households.
It is essential for eligible recipients to take advantage of this benefit and utilize the deposited cash to help meet their non-food expenses.
FAQ’s
Am I eligible for the “heat and eat” benefit?
The “heat and eat” benefit is only available to some CalFresh recipients who receive food benefits and no other cash assistance. If you are a CalFresh recipient who also qualifies for heating assistance under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), you may be eligible for this benefit.
Can I use the deposited cash to purchase non-food items?
Yes, the deposited cash can be used to purchase non-food items by selecting the “EBT cash” option at stores that accept EBT cards.
Can I withdraw the deposited cash from an ATM?
Yes, you can withdraw the $20 from an ATM that doesn’t charge a fee for EBT card users.
Is the “heat and eat” benefit a one-time deposit?
Yes, the “heat and eat” benefit is a one-time yearly deposit of $20.01, loaded onto your EBT card as “cash.”