I’m not so sure you can’t make cash withdrawals with EBT cards, here is an instruction from an EBT webpage:
For a Cash Withdrawal at a Cash Machine (ATM)
(A list of NYCE ATMs)
Always follow directions on the ATM.
Insert your EBT card.
Enter your secret PIN.
Press Withdrawal.
Press Checking.
Enter the dollar amount you want.
Take your cash from the machine.
Wait for your card and receipt.
Check the receipt to make sure it is the same as the amount you got.
Do NOT count your money at the machine.
Always check the receipt to make sure it is the same amount as your cash received.
Keep the receipt so you will know how much you have left in your account.
Wow. that’s interesting. I understood that the whole point of the card was to prevent its being used for anything besides food.
There are 2 parts to the benefits: 1 is “food stamps”, which have a cash value, but could not be pulled out @ an ATM - this portion could only be spent on food items. Part 2 is the cash assistance side of welfare. This is essentially cash (OUR - taxpayer) cash, and this CAN be withdrawn at an ATM. At present, our legislature here in CO is debating legislation that would bar use of the cash portion @ ATM’s in MJ dispensaries and such - a great idea, but the cash can still be withdrawn from bank ATM’s, etc.