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You can use your EBT card in most directionsgrocery stores and supermarketsin the United States. Some pharmacies, gas stations, street markets and local food co-ops also accept EBT cards as a payment method.
However, you can't just buy everything you want. The Supplemental Feeding Assistance Program (SNAP) includes:list of approved EBT items. You cannot purchase anything outside of this list with your EBT card, such as medication, alcohol, and tobacco products.
If you are looking for stores that accept EBT cards online and in the store, this article lists 10 supermarkets that accept EBT in the US.
What are EBT cards?
Electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards look like regular bank debit or credit cards. The main difference is that they are required to access funds provided by the US Federal Government under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The SNAP program helps low-income families who cannot afford the nutritious food they need to survive.
The federal government will pay the full cost of supporting families with SNAP. SNAP will then split the benefits and allocate them to anyone who applies and is eligible to access the benefits. You can use your card to purchase approved groceries.
What can you buy with EBT cards?
You can buy the following groceries with your EBT card:
- Fresh products:fruits and vegetables that have not been processed. For example,broccoli,apples, tomatoes, peppers, blueberries, carrots, asparagus and others.
- Meat and fish:Meats such as pork, beef, lamb and chicken. Fish like tuna and mackerel.
- Breads and Cereals: wheat bread, white bread, baguettes, tortilla and banana bread.
- Dairy:milk, yogurt, butter, cheese and ice cream.
- Snacks and soft drinks:popcorn, pretzels, chips, iced tea, ginger beer, smoothies, lemonade and more.
- Seeds and plants:you can buy seeds that are used to grow food, or buy plants with roots or food-producing bulbs, as well as shrubs. For example, potatoes and pumpkins.
What cannot be purchased with EBT cards?
The following are ineligible groceries that cannot be paid for with an EBT card at Walgreens:
- Alcohol and tobacco products:This includes beer, wine and cigarettes. we explainwhy alcohol is heavily regulated in the US.
- Live animals:unless the animal is killed and cleaned or prepared for you prior to payment. For example, fish or other seafood taken out of the water and cooked right in the store.
- Hot dishes:food that is still boiling or that has just been removed from the heat or oven.
- Pet food, cleaning products, hygiene products and cosmetics.
- Photo gift cards and other services related to photography.
- Service fees:delivery fees and other fees associated with a purchase or order.
3 things you should know before buying with an EBT card
1. You can't buy everything with EBT card
As we mentioned above, most retail giants like Amazon and Walmart accept EBT. HoweverUnited States Department of Agriculture(USDA) prohibits the use of EBT cards to pay for delivery and other service fees. So even if a store says it accepts EBT for curbside and home delivery options, you won't be able to pay for them.
This means you can pay for SNAP-eligible groceries on the site's checkout page. You will then need to add another card or payment method. This new card will cover the additional cost of your order. If there are also ineligible groceries in your virtual cart, your alternate payment method will also pay for those items.
If you need medical attention and your insurance doesn't cover it, here's a rundown.alternatives to EBT in terms of buying cheap drugs here. Also, if you have pets at home that need food, we provideEBT alternatives for pet foodalso.
2. You can make returns using an EBT card
According toUSDA, all SNAP cardholders should be treated like regular customers, especially when it comes to refunds.
You may return or return an item purchased with an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) if permitted by store policy.
If you've purchased something and you're not satisfied with the quality, you can return it for a full or partial refund. The store will refund your EBT card as it is against the law to take cash back with your EBT card.
However, if the supermarket does not have a return policy, you will be stuck with the product. But don't lose hope just yet. We advise you to contact the store and discuss the best option for the future.
3. You cannot withdraw cash using your EBT card at ATMs
The USDA prohibits anyone from withdrawing cash at ATMs using EBT cards. Here are some examples of other things that cannot be done with EBT cards:
- Sale or exchange of EBT cards for ineligible items. For example, alcohol and tobacco.
- Get Cash Back (a service where you load groceries from your card and receive physical cash in return).
Doing any of the above actions is illegal and you may be in conflict with the law. Depending on the state you are in and the category of offense you are in, you could be fined or sentenced to prison.Penalty for food stamp forgeryincludes the payment of a fine of up to US$250,000 and imprisonment of up to 20 years.
Top 10 supermarkets that accept EBT
Observation:This list is just our selection of trusted grocery stores and supermarkets to shop. This is not an exhaustive list of all US retailers. If you're looking for an alternative, check it out.those smaller, independent retail chains. That being said, we are not affiliated with any company other than Amazon and we will not receive commissions on your purchases from other retailers.
1. Amazon
Amazon accepts SNAP EBT cards in all US states except Alaska. However, the store is currently working hard to expand its reach in the country. You don't need an Amazon Prime membership to use the EBT card, although you do need to have a personal Amazon website account. Amazon Business accounts will not work with EBT payments.
You can also use your EBT card to buy Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market products on Amazon.com, as Amazon owns both stores. Whole Foods Market and Amazon Fresh also accept in-store EBT payments.
While you don't need an Amazon account to shop at Whole Foods Market with your EBT card, you will need one if you intend to use Amazon Fresh's Just Walk Out checkout technology. Creating an Amazon account allows you to scan products and add them to the virtual cart for payment without having to unload the physical cart at checkout.
Amazon also accepts EBT cards for cashback as long as you provide a receipt for the products. The same policy also applies to Whole Foods Market stores.
2. Wal-Mart
Walmart accepts SNAP EBT cards in over 40 US states. You can use the card online or at stationery stores. For online ordering, you must have a Walmart account as there is no option to place an order as a guest. If you are a US resident in Alaska, you can use your EBT card upon arrival at the storecurbside pickup.
Walmart also accepts returnsfor purchases made with the EBT card. You must include your card and receipt as proof of payment. If You Lost Your Walmart Receipt, There's a Solutionconfira on-line.
3. Safe way
All Safeway stores in the US accept SNAP EBT cards. You can shop both in the store and online. Safeway also has its own Starbucks kiosks in its buildings. So you can use your EBT card to buy Starbucks coffee and snacks there.
But you should know it regularlyStarbucks stores do not accept EBT payments. Safeway is only allowed to sell Starbucks items because it has a license to do so.
Safeway also accepts returns to the Customer Service Office for purchases made with EBT cards. You must bring your receipt and card as proof of payment, and the product in the packaging or condition in which you purchased it.
4. Hooks
Kroger accepts SNAP EBT cardsin store and online, but only for orders with external pickup. Kroger Pickup is free on orders of $35 or more. If your order amount is less, you will need to pay the $4.95 service fee using another payment method, such as a bank card.
If you are not sure which products qualify for SNAP EBT on the Kroger online store, simply search for the product and click on it. On the product information page, the "Withdraw" button should say "SNAP EBT Eligible".
Kroger accepts returnsand you can pick up the item within 30 days of purchase. The store can refund in full or replace the defective product with another one in better condition.
5. Scleprite
ShopRite accepts EBT cards online and in-store. As expected, you will need an account to shop online. Howeverretail corporationit is only available in six US states. States include Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. If you live outside of these locations, consider other stores on this list. Shoprite accepts refunds on EBT card purchases.
6. HEB
H-E-B accepts SNAP EBT cards in stores and online. The store will charge an additional 10% fee for heavy items. They are products valued by weight. For example, meat and fresh produce.
The purpose of the fee is to cover costs if the item you receive weighs more than what you ordered. If it weighs less, you can let the store know and they'll refund you to your EBT card. H-E-B also accepts returns on EBT transactions, as long as you complete the return within 90 days of purchase.
7. Aldi
Aldi accepts SNAP EBT cards online and in stores. Aldi also delivers via Instacart, so you can pay for your purchases using the official Instacart app or website.The store charges a fee and servicefor each curbside pickup order. It costs $3.99 if your order is less than $35 and $1.99 if your order is $35 or more. There is also an additional charge for bags sinceAldi shopping bags are not free.
Aldi also accepts returns of purchases made with an EBT card and exchanges products or refunds money to your card. If you provide a receipt, you are more likely to get a full refund.
8. Publix
Publix accepts SNAP EBT cards for all delivery and collection orders. The store's delivery system is based on the Instacart platform. Then you need to order with Instacart. Then Instacart drivers will do itdeliver the order to your apartment.
Publix accepts returns on purchases made with an EBT card. If you lost your receipt, employees can look for it in their computer system because you paid with an electronic card. If that doesn't work, the store will give you a Publix Gift Card.
9. Sprout market
Sprouts Farmers Market accepts EBT payments, but only in brick-and-mortar stores. So you can't even split payments for groceries and services on one site. Fortunately, the store has a return policy and you can always pick up the products and get a refund.
10. Walgreens
Walgreens is widely known as a drugstore and photo service store, although it also sells groceries. You cannot use your EBT card for purchases on the store's website, butthey will accept your cardin physical stores. The store's return policy states that you can return merchandise within 30 days from the date of purchase. You must bring your receipt as proof of purchase.
Application
We highlight the main supermarkets that accept EBT in. If you're looking for more options,SNAP has an online locatorto help you find retailers in your area that accept EBT. If you are also a fan of contactless payments,many supermarkets use PayPalto reduce checkout lines and improve the customer experience.
Irena Okpanachi
Irene is a freelance content writer who helps professionals and startups build an audience with original online content. She has written over 100 articles and is backed by 3 years of experience. He loves playing and listening to music, not pounding furiously on a laptop.