What Grocery Stores Accept EBT? Online Grocery Delivery/Pickup - Frugal Living - Lifestyle Blog (2024)

Are you a SNAP recipient? Finding grocery stores that accept EBT online is a big plus. You can have groceries delivered right to your doorstep and save time and energy shopping.

As you may know, EBT isn’t a widely accepted payment option online. Many grocery stores accept EBT purchases in-store, but only a few places take EBT for online delivery, meal delivery kits, store pickup orders.

But things have been changing recently. USDA is making some changes to SNAP that may sidestep all the difficulties that disadvantaged SNAP recipients face when shopping for groceries from home. There’s a pilot program aimed at helping SNAP recipients use their EBT cards to purchase groceries online.

Nearly 47 states and the District of Columbia are already participating in this pilot program. EBT is slowly being accepted as a payment option in some grocery stores like Aldi and grocery delivery services like Instacart.

But here is the catch. Not all states call it SNAP. There are different names in different states. Here is a quick summary:

• 32 out of 50 states call it SNAP.
• Five states call it the Food Stamp program.
• The remaining states have different names for this food program.

Moreover, the use of EBT cards has skyrocketed in the past few years in every state as a direct result of the economic crisis ever since the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

Stores are now making a conscious effort to reach out to low-income families. Soon you will witness a new level of drive from the corporate sector as the need for food programs becomes a more pressing issue and more stores realize just how advantageous it is for them to accept EBT.

Most convenience stores accept online payments for food stamp benefits, but some grocery stores have an EBT payment feature in-store. More stores will likely join the SNAP EBT bandwagon as we move towards an online market that caters to contactless payments.

Recall: Contactless payments are an efficient way of paying for goods and services. It reduces time spent at checkout counters and improves customer satisfaction by lowering waiting times. In addition, it eliminates fraud risk by making it difficult for criminals to use stolen credit cards.

More stores are expected to join the pilot program. Soon, you may be able to order groceries with your EBT from the nearby retail or grocery store and have everything shipped home. It’s happening in select states!

So, where do you go for online grocery shopping after SNAP has loaded your EBT card with food stamp benefits? Are there grocery stores that accept EBT near me?

Short Answer: Fresh Direct, Amazon Fresh, Amazon Pantry, Publix, Aldi, Walmart, and Target, are among the top grocery stores participating in the USDA’s pilot program and have begun taking EBT online delivery and store pick-up orders. You can only use EBT funds to pay for the main order, the actual groceries. Delivery or service charges must be paid out of pocket with an alternative payment method such as debit or credit cards, gift cards, money order, checks, PayPal, Google Pay, and cash.

Other stores like Sam’s Club, Costco, and Meijer only accept SNAP EBT for in-store purchases and not for home delivery or online pickup orders.

This article will help you find grocery stores that accept EBT online so that you know where to shop with your EBT card. Delivery assists when you are short of time and want groceries delivered to your doorstep in short order.

Can You Order Groceries Online With An EBT Card?

Yes, you can order groceries online with an EBT card from participating stores in select states. The USDA has been running several pilot programs aimed at enabling SNAP recipients to purchase groceries online. About 47 states participate in this program and will be adding SNAP EBT as an online payment option.

Currently, only a few grocery stores are participating in the pilot program in select states. The number of participating stores is expected to expand going forward as these SNAP changes continue to take root.

So far, you can order groceries online with an EBT card from grocery stores like Aldi, Fresh Direct, Amazon Fresh, Publix, Walmart, and Target.

Can You Use EBT For Grocery Delivery?

Yes, you can use EBT for grocery delivery through grocery delivery services like Instacart. The same grocery stores that allow online ordering with an EBT card partner can use a delivery service to accept SNAP cash for delivery. Much will depend on whether the grocery store has a delivery service.

Stores like Aldi, Publix, Walmart, and Target partner with grocery delivery services like Instacart and Shipt to allow customers to use EBT for grocery delivery. Instacart is already accepting EBT cash as a payment method, while Shipt does not accept SNAP cash. You can also use EBT for grocery delivery on Fresh Direct and Amazon Fresh.

In your quest to use EBT for grocery delivery, it’s important to note that you can only use EBT cash to pay for the main SNAP-eligible order. Extra charges such as delivery and service fees, surcharges, and any ineligible items in your order must be paid out of pocket. That means you should be prepared with an alternative method to cover any extra costs.

Can You Use Your EBT Card Outside of the Issuing State?

Though issued at the state level, EBT cards can be used in any state within the US. It’s because SNAP is a federal benefits program, and all states must accept it. Thus, you can use your EBT card outside the issuing states.

The only exception you should be careful about is the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP). The federal government leaves it upon every state to decide whether or not to expand SNAP to include the RMP and allow the elderly, people with disabilities, and the homeless to buy hot meals at approved restaurants.

You may qualify for the RMP if your state participates in the program, but that doesn’t mean you’ll automatically qualify in a different state. You may not be able to eat out at restaurants in another state if that state doesn’t participate in the Restaurant Meals Program.

Not many states participate in the RMP, so prepare accordingly when traveling interstate.

Does Walmart Delivery Take EBT?

Walmart has about 4,743 retail store locations in the US. Most Walmart’s have been accepting EBT for in-store purchases and grocery pickup since 2017. You can use your EBT card to pay for SNAP-eligible items in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

If you live in any of the states that have been approved for the SNAP online purchasing pilot, you can use your EBT to make payments online in most Walmart locations. Just sign up for an account online or via the Walmart shopping app. Save your EBT card information and add it as one of the payment methods.

That said, you’ll find many Walmart locations that allow in-store grocery pickups compared to those that offer grocery delivery services. It means many customers shopping online still have to visit the store, swipe their EBT card to finalize the payment, and pick up their items.

Other common payment methods accepted at Walmart include credit and debit cards, Walmart MoneyCard, Walmart gift cards, e-gift cards, money order, checks, Google Pay, PayPal, and cash.

See our guide on Walmart check cashing policy and money services with MoneyCard.

Can You Use EBT With Shipt?

Do you want groceries delivered to your doorsteps? Shipt is an excellent grocery delivery service owned by Target that will deliver your groceries and household essentials for free on orders above $35. For smaller orders, you’ll have to pay a $7 delivery and shopping fee.

Can you use EBT with Shipt?

Unfortunately, you can’t use EBT with Shipt, mainly due to the current USDA restrictions. Remember that Shipt is only a delivery service and doesn’t own the items it delivers. Shipt accepts EBT for stores that accept it as an online payment method.

Shipt partners with stores like Costco, Lowes Foods, Target, Winn Dixie, Meijer, HEB, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Piggly Wiggly, and LIDL. Most of these retailers and grocery stores don’t include EBT as an online payment method.

But USDA is making some changes to SNAP through a pilot program aimed at enabling SNAP beneficiaries to shop for groceries online with their EBT cards.

More delivery services and grocery stores continue to join the program. Hopefully, Shipt will start accepting EBT in the future. In the meantime, consider Fresh Direct, Amazon Fresh, and Instacart for online grocery shopping and delivery.

Does Target Accept EBT Online Delivery?

Target has over 1,900 store locations throughout all 50 states and the district of Columbia, all of which accept EBT cards for in-store purchases. If you live in one of the states participating in the USDA’s online purchase pilot program, you can use your EBT card to shop online at participating target locations.

However, you won’t be able to make EBT payments online. To complete the payment, you must swipe your EBT card at the time of delivery, and you’ll be subjected to a minimum order of $30 for home delivery.

You can only use your EBT card to shop for SNAP-eligible items. You can’t pay the delivery fee with your SNAP benefits. Since grocery delivery is considered a luxury, you’ll need to use an alternative payment method like cash or credit card to pay for the delivery fee.

Other payment methods accepted at Target include Target RedCard, third-party credit cards like Visa, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Target Pcard, credit cards from foreign banks, third-party debit cards bearing Visa or Mastercard logo, Target GiftCards, Discover and Visa gift cards, activated AMEX gift cards, personal checks, cash, PayPal, among others. Target will not cash a third-part check.

Does Whole Foods Accept EBT Online?

Whole Foods Market has over 500 stores that accept EBT cards for in-store purchases. Only a few Whole Foods participate in the USDA’s pilot EBT delivery program, and thus, you’ll only find a handful of Whole Foods that accept EBT online.

You can’t use EBT for online delivery or store pickup orders at most Whole Foods locations unless there’s a participating location near you.

Even in the few locations participating in the pilot program, you can only use your EBT card to purchase SNAP-eligible items online, such as bread, milk, unprepared seafood, and more. You’ll only be able to complete the payment in person when your order arrives.

Shoppers will need an alternative payment method to pay for the delivery fee and any other surcharges.

Other common payment methods accepted at Whole Foods include major credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, as well as Whole Foods Market, Visa, American Express, and Mastercard gift cards. They will not process a debit card without a PIN number.

Does Amazon Pantry Take EBT?

Amazon Pantry takes EBT cash. EBT cardholders from participating states can order SNAP-approved food items online on Amazon.com and Amazon Fresh.

Once your SNAP EBT card is added as a payment method, customers receive access to free Amazon Fresh grocery delivery service and free shipping on Amazon Pantry for orders of $35.

Plus, customers access many Whole Foods products through Amazon Pantry, Amazon Grocery, and Amazon Fresh. EBT and Medicaid cardholders are also eligible for a 50% discount on Amazon prime membership.

Other payment methods accepted at Amazon.com include Amazon Store card, Amazon Secured Card, MasterCard/Eurocard, Discover Network, American Express, Diner’s Club, JCB, China UnionPay credit card, and Visa, and gift cards.

Does Amazon Fresh Take EBT?

Amazon Fresh takes an EBT card from any state participating in the USDA’s EBT pilot program. Amazon is among the online retailers that have partnered with the government to allow SNAP EBT payments on SNAP-eligible items in select states. Only items sold and shipped by Amazon.com or Amazon Fresh are eligible for EBT purchases.

Once your EBT card is added as a payment method on your Amazon account, you receive free access to Amazon Fresh and free shipping on orders above $35 on Amazon Pantry. However, you’ll be subjected to a delivery fee if you choose to have your orders delivered under the local free 2-hour delivery threshold.

EBT and Medicaid beneficiaries signing up for Amazon Prime membership are also eligible for a 50% discount.

Does Publix Delivery Take EBT?

As the largest employee-owned company in the US, Publix has about 1,200 supermarkets in the Southeast in states like Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee.

Does Publix Delivery take EBT? Publix accepts EBT cards at participating stores in select states. Shoppers can now order groceries online via Instacart on participating Publix stores. Use the SNAP Retailer Locator to find a local Publix that accepts EBT payments.

If your store doesn’t have SNAP EBT as a payment method, keep checking back as the number of participating states and stores is bound to expand going forward.

Other accepted payment methods at Publix include checks, debit cards, NFC payments, cash and American Express, Visa, Discover Network, and Mastercard credit cards.

See our related article on can you cash a check at Publix and the money order policy.

Does Meijer Delivery Accept EBT?

Meijer has over 250 supercenter locations and over 200 gas stations in six states, including Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

Does Meijer Delivery Accept EBT? Unfortunately, Meijer doesn’t accept EBT payments for online grocery orders. You cannot use your EBT to pay for online store pickups or home delivery at Meijer.

Meijer also doesn’t accept WIC, Cash App, or gift cards for delivery orders.

Meijer only accepts EBT for SNAP-eligible, in-store purchases at both self-checkout lanes and cashiered lanes. If you live in any of the six states above, just visit any Meijer retail store location to swipe your card how you would use a normal debit card.

If your order includes non-qualifying items or you have an insufficient balance on your EBT card, you can split the payment. Use your EBT card first and any other payment method to cover the order balance.

Other eligible payment methods at Meijer include Mobile payments, debit cards, check, cash, Meijer gift cards, and credit cards: Visa, Discover, American Express, and Meijer credit cards. They will not cash checks without an ID.

If you are an American Express card holder, Meijer requires you to use the three-digit number on the back of your card. It does not use the four-digit number located on the card front.

Moreover, unlike other popular retail stores, Meijer has not yet publicly announced plans to incorporate mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google play. So, if you want to order items online from Meijer, you will need debit cards or other accepted forms of payments previously discussed.

Does Aldi take EBT for Delivery?

Aldi has nearly 2,087 grocery store locations in the United States. More than 1,700 Aldi stores in 37 states, including the District of Colombia, accept EBT as a payment option for online orders.

EBT cardholders can place their orders via Instacart for pickup or home delivery. You can shop SNAP-eligible items online for Aldi stores if you live in any of the states covered by the USDA’s pilot program.

Your SNAP EBT cannot be used to cover non-eligible costs like delivery and service fee, tips, taxes, and bottle deposit fees. If you incur any of these non-eligible costs, you must use an alternative payment option like cash, credit, or debit card to pay for these extras.

You won’t be able to shop online with your EBT at Aldi stores if you live in a state that doesn’t participate in the USDA’s pilot program. But keep checking back because Aldi is working with Instacart to expand its online grocery shopping program into other cities and states.

Other payment methods accepted at Aldi include cash, debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, link cards, and contactless pay such as Google Pay and Apple Pay.

Customers can use the SNAP benefits by entering their information online on the Instacart app. Alternatively, they can go to shop.aldi.us. You can also combine other forms of payment that will cover the non-eligible SNAP products like tips, fees, taxes, etc.

Next, enter the zip code to determine whether the shoppers are close to an ALDI store that accepts SNAP payments. When it confirms that they can use the SNAP benefits in a particular store, shoppers can then choose how many benefits they want from that store.

Does Costco do EBT Delivery?

Costco has nearly 558 warehouses in the United States. Per Costco customer service, all Costco locations accept EBT cards for in-store purchases at the register and the self-checkout.

Unfortunately, Costco doesn’t do EBT delivery. That means you can’t use your EBT card to order groceries online on Costco.com.

You can use other payment options accepted at Costco warehouses and the Costco website, including Visa cards, debit and ATM cards, cash, checks, and Costco Cash cards.

Can You Use EBT at Costco Food Court?

You cannot use your EBT/SNAP benefits or food stamps to pay for food at Costco’s food court. The benefits generally can’t be used to buy hot such as rotisserie chicken, prepared food like hotdogs and sandwiches, or drinks from soda fountains. There are very few fast food places that take food stamps in six states.

Can You Use EBT at Costco Gas Stations?

You cannot use EBT cash cards or food stamps at Costco gas stations.

Does FreshDirect Take EBT?

Fresh Direct takes EBT. It’s one of the grocery stores participating in testing USDA’s pilot program allowing customers to purchase fresh food and groceries in select states.

Customers can only use their EBT cards to purchase SNAP-eligible products on Fresh Direct and have their order shipped home. The shopper must swipe their SNAP EBT card at the time of delivery to complete their purchase.

EBT customers shopping online on Fresh Direct are required to place a minimum order of $30. Currently, the EBT program is only available for deliveries to Bronx zip codes 10454 and 10455 at no delivery fee, tax, or surcharge.

Fresh Direct also delivers in six northwest states, including New York, Washington DC, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Delaware, but the delivery cost and other surcharges must be paid out of pocket with alternative payment methods.

Other payment methods accepted at Fresh Direct include Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express credit cards, debit cards bearing Visa or MasterCard logo, PayPal, and checks.

How to Pay for Food Grocery at Fresh Direct?

If you want to use EBT for grocery shopping at Fresh Direct, verify that you’re making SNAP-eligible purchases. Next, you can use your EBT cash card or EBT Food (SNAP) card to pay for your shopping.

However, you must first create an online account. Go to Fresh Direct’s website to create your account. Next, select the EBT option in the payment section. It is needed at the time of checkout. If you have placed an order worth the minimum limit, your order will be confirmed for delivery.

Does Sam’s Club take EBT?

There are over 600 Sam’s Club locations in the US, all of which accept SNAP EBT cards for in-club purchases. You must be a warehouse member to use SNAP benefits at Sam’s Club.

Sam’s Club doesn’t take EBT for online purchases. You can’t use your SNAP benefits to pay for purchases on SamsClub.com for home delivery or pickup orders.

Other payment methods accepted at Sam’s Club include Sam’s Club credit, Walmart and Sam’s Club Gift/e-Gift cards, cash or check, debit card, prepaid credit cards, Walmart credit, and Visa, Discover, American Express, and MasterCard credit cards.

What Can You Buy at Sam’s Club with Food Stamps?

You can use your EBT card at Sam’s Club for in-club purchases but not for pickup or delivery orders. Although you can buy almost anything at Sam’s Club, not all items are SNAP-eligible. SNAP restrictions apply at Sam’s Club like any other retail or grocery store.

You can only use food stamps to purchase staple food items that you carry and prepare at home to be eaten as part of a meal. Dairy products, cereals, discount meat, fish bread, fruits and vegetables, snacks, bakery goods, donuts, and customer cakes are eligible food stamp items.

You can’t use food stamps at Sam’s Club to purchase hot or prepared food, liquor, tobacco products, personal care items, diapers, or pet supplies. Also, you will not find Sam’s gas stations that accept EBT.

If your order includes any of these items, be prepared with an alternative payment method. Ask the cashier to split your order so that you can pay with EBT first, and then clear the order balance with your credit card or debit card with a smart chip.

Scan and Go Feature for Sam’s EBT Program

Shoppers with a Sam’s Club membership can make the most of the Scan and Go feature in Sam’s recognized outlets. Shoppers can simply use Sam’s Membership app and scan the product QR code to pay with EBT. While there might be restrictions on certain products, Sam’s EBT payments are accepted for food items, primarily when you purchase in-store.

Moreover, Sam’s membership holders can also use the EBT at the fuel stations.

Using Sam’s Scan and Go at the Gas Stations

To use the Scan and Go feature for car fuel, scan the QR code on the gas station. Next, select your preferred payment fee method. Now, you will receive an email showing your fuel receipt and your membership details for Sam’s.

You can also use the Scan and Go feature to buy in-store merchandise at Sam’s Membership gas stations too.

What Grocery Stores Accept EBT Near Me?

Here’s a list of grocery stores near me that take food stamps:

• Acme Markets
• ALDI
• Albertsons
• Associated Food Stores
• Baker’s
• BI-LO
• Big Y Foods
• BJ’s Wholesale Club
• Bravo Supermarket
• Brookshire Brothers
• CTown Supermarket
• Carroll’s Food Market
• City Market
• Costco
• County Market
• Cub Foods
• D’Agostino’s Supermarket
• David’s Supermarket
• Dean Foods
• Dillons Stores
• Econo Foods
• Family Fare Supermarkets
• Family Foods Stores
• Fareway Meat & Grocery
• Festival Foods
• Fine Fair Supermarket
• Flash Foods
• Food 4 Less
• Food City
• The Food Emporium
• Food Lion
• Foodland
• Food Town
• Fred Meyer
• Fry’s Food Stores
• Giant Eagle
• Grant Food
• Gristedes Supermarket
• Hannaford Supermarkets
• Harris Teeter
• Harvest Foods
• HEB
• Homeland
• Hometown Foods
• Hy-Vee
• Ingles Market
• Jewel-Osco
• Jubilee Foods
• Key Food Fresh
• King Kullen
• King Soopers
• Kings Food Markets
• Kroger
• Lil Peach
• Lowes Foods
• Mariano’s
• Market Basket
• Martin’s Super Market
• Meijer
• Met Food Markets
• Metal Supermarkets
• Neighborhood Market
• 99 Ranch Market
• Piggly Wiggly
• Pioneer Supermarket
• Price Chopper
• Publix
• QFC Supermarkets
• Raley’s Supermarkets
• Red Apple Markets
• Riceland Foods
• Safeway
• Sam’s Club
• Save A Lot
• Save Mart
• Schnucks Markets
• Schreiber Foods
• Schwan’s Fine Foods
• Sedan’s Supermarket
• Seneca Foods
• Sentry Foods
• Shaw’s Osco
• Shaws
• Shop N Save
• Shoppers Food
• ShopRite
• Smart & Final
• Smith’s Food & Drug
• Sprouts
• Star Market
• Stater Bros Market
• Stop & Shop
• Sunshine Foods
• Super 1 Foods
• Superior Grocers
• SuperValu
• Target
• Tedeschi Food Shops
• Thriftway
• Tops Friendly Markets
• Tops Market
• Town & Country
• Trader Joe’s
• Turkey Hill Stores
• Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods
• United Supermarket
• Vallarta Supermarket
• Vons
• Walmart
• Wawa Food Markets
• Wegmans
• Weis Markets
• Whole Foods Market
• Winn-Dixie

Grocery Stores That Accept EBT Summary

Almost all the major grocery stores accept EBT for in-store purchases, but currently, only a few grocery stores accept EBT for online grocery delivery or store pickups.

SNAP EBT isn’t a widely available online payment option. Food stamp beneficiaries still have to visit a physical store location to shop for SNAP-eligible items and swipe their card to complete the payment in most states.

While SNAP-eligible food has grown in number and diversity over time, online payment for these items is still a long way off. Even the top brands and major retail stores are yet to announce a full-fledged payment acceptance mechanism for SNAP and EBT. Although online shopping is certainly here to stay and the industry appears poised for considerable growth, technology may bring even more drastic changes to the sector.

But there is hope. The USDA has been running a pilot program to allow SNAP recipients to shop for groceries online without leaving the comfort on their houses. The aim is to have all the states include EBT as an online payment option.

Stores like Amazon, Fresh Direct, Publix, Whole Foods, Aldi, Walmart, and Target are among the first to participate in this pilot program. They are now accepting EBT for online grocery delivery and pickup orders in select states.

More states and more stores are expected to include SNAP EBT as an online payment option going forward. If there isn’t a store accepting SNAP near you currently, keep checking back because participating stores continue to partner with delivery services to mitigate hunger by ensuring that food is available to everyone.