Places That Take EBT Payments Near Me 2024 (2024)

Places That Take EBT Payments Near Me – The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is one of the biggest hunger safety net programs in the United States of America that allows SNAP recipients to purchase food items and groceries and stay healthy. There are nearly 248,000 retailers throughout America that participate in government food assistance programs.

These stores comply with federal standards to participate in the SNAP program and are overseen by USDA to make sure SNAP continues to meet the needs of the people who use it. Besides grocery stores, many other places accept EBT to cater to SNAP recipients. In this comprehensive guide, we will help you to learn what places take EBT so that you can access healthy and nutritious food with your SNAP benefits and extend your food budget further.

Key Takeaways

1. EBT cards are accepted at over 248,000 retailers nationwide. This includes grocery stores, big box stores, farmers markets, and even some restaurants in select states.
2. You can use the USDA SNAP Retailer Locator to find participating stores near you.
3. EBT benefits can be used to purchase a variety of food and beverage items. This includes fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and even seeds and plants.
4. SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase alcohol, tobacco, household supplies, or hot meals (except in select states).
5. Using your EBT benefits wisely can help stretch your food budget further.

What Places Take EBT Near Me?

EBT card holders may be surprised at the number of places around them that welcome EBT payments. As per statistics, more than 80% of EBT benefits are used at large retailers nationwide. You can take the help of the SNAP Retailer Locator provided by USDA to find a store near you that accepts SNAP EBT payments. Food benefits are accepted wherever you can see the Quest logo. SNAP EBT benefits are widely accepted at various locations for eligible food items such as the following:

• Grocery Stores and Supermarkets
• Superstores
• Discount Retail Chains
• Wholesale Stores
• Online Retailers: Delivery App
• Farmers Markets
• Local Food Co-Ops
• Pharmacies and Drug Stores
• Gas stations and convenience stores
• Select Restaurants and Fast Food Chains

In the below section of the guide, we will take a detailed look at the places where you can use your EBT benefits.

1. Grocery Stores/ Supermarkets

Most of the grocery stores located throughout the United States of America participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program starting from neighborhood mom-and-pop stores to sprawling mega markets. Let’s take a look at the major grocery retailers that accept SNAP EBT cards.

ALDI

ALDI is a big grocery chain in America that accepts EBT payments and has also collaborated with Instacart to accept online EBT payments. It is not only affordable for its reasonable price on groceries and household items but also gained recognition for its dedication to providing healthy food options.

Safeway

Safeway is a big supermarket chain with nearly 900 shopping centers located throughout the United States of America. Being one of the largest and most popular grocery retail chains, Safeway accepts EBT or food stamps in all of its store locations throughout America. However, Safeway does not accept food stamps or EBT payments online.

Publix

Publix has a strong reputation in the market for providing a wide array of high-quality products to all its customers. Fortunately, the grocery giant accepts EBT as a method of payment from SNAP recipients in all its store locations. The acceptance of EBT into Publix not only provides transactional convenience but also highlights the brand’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.

Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods is a popular supermarket that serves natural and organic foods to all its customers. Whole Foods accepts food stamp benefits or EBT cards from SNAP beneficiaries. Those who are receiving EBT benefits can enjoy nutritious and organic options at Whole Foods without straining their budget.

Piggly Wiggly

Piggly Wiggly is one of the U.S grocery chains that is accepting Electronic Benefits Transfer or SNAP benefits as a form of payment. Customers can pay for the food stamps using their reloadable EBT cards. Almost all store locations of Piggly Wiggly are equipped to accept EBT as Piggly Wiggly aims to cater to as many customers as possible.

Sprouts

Sprouts Farmers Market is a renowned grocery store chain in America that is known for selling healthy and fresh products. The company is known for offering an extensive collection of products that are free of artificial flavors or preservatives, colors and synthetic ingredients and are also minimally processed food.

A few more grocery stores and supermarkets that accept EBT are as follows:

• HEB
• Thrive Market
• Harris Teeter
• Wegmans
• Weis Markets
• Jewel-Osco
• Family Fare
• King Soopers
• Kings Food Markets
• Kroger
• Acme Markets
• Grocery Outlet
• AJ’s Fine Foods
• Meijer
• Food City
• Food Lion
• QFC Supermarkets
• Raley’s
• Speedway
• Associated Food Stores
• Bashas
• Big Y Foods
• Foodtown
• Fred Meyer
• Stater Bros
• Fry’s Food Stores
• Giant Eagle
• Giant Food
• Hannaford Supermarkets
• Lowe’s Grocery
• 99 Ranch Market
• Pick N Save
• Price Chopper
• Fareway Meat & Grocery
• Fine Fare Supermarkets
• Food 4 Less
• Bravo Supermarkets
• Brookshire’s
• Smart and Final
• City Market
• Dillons Stores
• Shaw’s
• ShopRite
• Smith’s Food and Drug
• WinCo
• Ralphs
• Save Mart
• ARCO
• Schnucks Market
• Stop & Shop
• Super 1 Foods
• H Mart
• Tops Markets
• Trader Joe’s
• Kroger
• Jubilee Foods
• Superior Grocers
• Vons

Learn more about SNAP-eligible goods and grocery stores that accept EBT payments in California in our next guide.

2. Big Box Stores

Big Box Stores are large retailers like Target and Walmart that are popular shopping destinations for many Americans who want to get their household goods, groceries and other necessities. The superstores also accept payments online for grocery pickup and delivery orders. Let’s take a look at the top supermarkets or big box stores.

Target

The largest national retailer Target accepts SNAP or EBT benefits for both in-store and online grocery purchases. The retail giant started accepting SNAP benefits for online orders recently in 2022 after facing competition from Amazon and Walmart. Target takes pride in selling a wide array of goods ranging from reasonable utility products and high-end global items to nutritious groceries and food items.

Walmart

Walmart is a popular grocery chain that accepts EBT payments for both in-store and online grocery delivery and pick-up. Customers first need to create an account with Walmart and place orders online using their debit card. You can get free curbside pickup service for orders above $35 or else you have to pay a small pickup fee. You cannot cover the cost of your delivery fees or pick-up using an EBT card.

3. Farmers Markets

Farmer’s Markets are amazing places to purchase healthy and fresh food with the additional bonus of supporting the local economy and community-based farmers. A lot of states provide healthy food incentive programs at farmers’ markets to assist low-income families eat better while supporting the local economy.

Such incentive programs match EBT dollars spent at farmers markets on locally grown produce. You can check with your local SNAP office to see if a health food incentive initiative is available in your area of residence. For instance, Massachusetts has a Healthy Incentives Program that assists EBT beneficiaries with $1 back on their SNAP benefits card for every dollar spent on eligible fruits and vegetables.

4. Online Delivery Apps

Do you want to get your groceries delivered directly to your doorstep or wish to save time by picking up your grocery order? Many online platforms or delivery apps accept SNAP benefits and allow EBT cardholders to get their groceries delivered to their doorstep. Let’s take a look at the following online delivery apps that take EBT.

DoorDash

DoorDash accepts EBT or SNAP benefits cards for grocery delivery as well as pick-up from participating merchants in selective states in America. You can use your SNAP benefits on DoorDash by adding your EBT card to your DoorDash account and selecting SNAP or EBT card as a payment method while checking out.

Instacart

Instacart is a nationwide grocery delivery service known as Instacart accepts SNAP benefits or EBT cards from participating retailers throughout the United States of America except Alaska. You can use your SNAP Benefits card or EBT card on Instacart by creating an account and adding your EBT card information as a payment method. You can then shop for eligible SNAP-approved food items online and add them to your cart.

Amazon

Amazon is a platform that allows all EBT cardholders to shop online and get them delivered to their doorstep. Customers need not become Amazon Prime members to shop with Amazon. Depending on the type of food you need and whether you want to purchase quantity in bulk Amazon provides three options such as Amazon Core Groceries, Amazon Pantry and Amazon Fresh.

Note: There are only a few delivery apps that are enrolled in the Online Purchasing Pilot Program and authorized by USDA to accept SNAP benefits for eligible goods. Most of the food delivery apps like Grubhub, Postmates, Hello Fresh and Uber Eats are not accepting EBT since they deal only with restaurants instead of grocery items.

5. Discount Retail Chains

Discount retail chains like Dollar Stores provide extensive varieties of products at competitive prices which is not the case with big retailers or grocery chains. Let’s take a look at the following discount retail chains where you can shop for eligible goods at extremely affordable rates.

Dollar General

Dollar General is a go-to and popular dollar stores running throughout America. Prices at Dollar General typically range between $3 to $10 for all its products. The chain is well known for its wide selection of cleaning and household products. It is one of the largest dollar stores with 19,000 locations in America. SNAP recipients can use their EBT benefits to shop for eligible goods from Dollar General.

Dollar Tree

One of the largest and most renowned Dollar Stores in the United States of America is Dollar Tree which has been in operation for 35 years and everything available this year starts from $1. You can find everything here starting from snacks, and holiday decorations to cleaning supplies and groceries. Dollar Tree accepts EBT payments from SNAP beneficiaries.

Family Dollar

Family Dollar Stores Inc. is a popular American variety store chain that has 8000+ locations in all U.S. states (apart from Alaska and Hawaii). Family Dollar like Dollar General stores accept EBT payments for SNAP-eligible products. This chain is known for providing extensive varieties of products that meet SNAP products including ground beef, dairy products, hot dogs, ground beef, canned pasta, snack foods, frozen entrees, bacon and so on.

6. Pharmacy/ Drug Stores

A lot of pharmacies and drug stores in America accept EBT or food stamps to help SNAP beneficiaries supplement their diet with nutritious and healthy food. These participating chains are as follows.

CVS

CVS is a leading pharmacy and retail store chain that has more than 10,000 store locations throughout the United States of America. Till now only 6660 out of 9900+ CVS stores are accepting EBT payments from SNAP beneficiaries. This company started accepting EBT cards as a payment method in 2013. CVS also launched a pilot program in 2018 for select stores that started accepting EBT payments for eligible goods online.

Walgreens

Walgreens accept EBT payments from SNAP beneficiaries. This popular pharmacy store is not accepting EBT payments as a method of payment online so SNAP beneficiaries have to purchase at their physical locations. This is the second largest pharmacy store chain in America behind CVS Health.

Rite Aid

Rite Aid Corporation is a popular American drugstore chain. Rite Aid accepts EBT or food stamp benefits from SNAP beneficiaries as a method of payment. However, there are certain guidelines and restrictions about the type of products that you can buy with your EBT card at Rite Aid. The drugstore enables the purchase of EBT-approved items at all its store locations.

7. Warehouse Clubs

EBT Benefits can be used at warehouse clubs for eligible food and other eligible items. Let’s take a look at the following warehouse clubs from where you can shop for eligible goods.

Costco

Costco enables shoppers to purchase a variety of items in bulk at a reasonable cost. This retailer is taking EBT as a method of payment so that more families and individuals can access healthy and nutritious food and groceries.

BJ’s Warehouse Club

BJ’s wholesale club accepts SNAP or EBT benefits as a viable payment method. They are also accepting EBT on their official website and mobile apps for ship-to-home, in-club pickup and same-day delivery orders in every state apart from Delaware which will be added very soon.

Sam’s Club

The supermarket store is popular among Americans for helping shoppers save significant money. Sam’s Club accepts food stamps or EBT from SNAP beneficiaries in all its retail locations. Sam’s Club is one of the favorite shopping destinations among Americans for buying necessary items at affordable rates.

8. Gas Stations With Convenience Stores

Today a lot of gas stations with convenience stores accept EBT to cater to SNAP recipients. Let’s take a look at the following gas stations with convenience stores that accept EBT payments.

7-Eleven

With more than 9000 store locations throughout the United States of America, 7-Eleven is a renowned convenience store. The Electronic Benefits Transfer is an invaluable resource for struggling individuals and families to make ends meet. Fortunately, grocery store chains like 7-Eleven accept EBT cards at all their store locations.

Circle K

Circle K is a popular American chain of convenience stores and gas stations in the US. The store sells snacks, hot dishes, drinks, and grocery supplies like milk, butter, eggs and baked products. Circle K accepts EBT as a method of payment from customers on SNAP-approved items.

Kum & Go is a convenience retailer and a gas station chain that operates in the Midwest part of the United States of America. Kum & Go convenience stores accept EBT, food stamps, or SNAP Benefits as a method of payment in all of their store locations.

QuikTrip

QuikTrip accepts EBT, SNAP or food stamp benefits from customers in select states throughout the country. QuikTrip is one of the biggest chains of gas station convenience stores in the United States of America. With plenty of drinks, and grocery and snack items to choose from, customers can use their food stamp benefits to buy approved items from QuikTrip.

Sheetz

The authorized store locations of Sheetz allow SNAP beneficiaries to use the EBT to purchase eligible items and groceries with the help of their EBT card. However, you cannot pay for the goods online at Sheetz or fund deliveries. Sheetz is a popular name when it comes to looking for gas stations, truck shops, fast food restaurants and convenience stores.

Wawa

Wawa accepts EBT or food stamp benefits as a method of payment but there are a few limitations by USDA on the type of food items that you can buy using your EBT card. For instance, you cannot buy anything of luxury or non-edible food as SNAP EBT funds are used only for buying items of necessity.

Get a comprehensive list of gas stations that accept EBT in our next guide.

9. Restaurants And Fast-Food Places

In select states, EBT card holders can participate in the Restaurant Meals Program and use their food stamp benefits to enjoy hot prepared meals from restaurants. Even though hot-prepared meals are not covered by SNAP EBT cards, USDA extends SNAP benefits through RMP for elderly, disabled and homeless recipients who are unable to cook food themselves. You must live in one of the following U.S. states to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program:

• Arizona
• California
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Rhode Island
• Virginia
• Massachusetts
• Missouri

Restaurants that are participating in SNAP RMP may vary by state and location. Every state and restaurant has to individually enroll in the Restaurant Meals Program to accept EBT benefits. A few restaurants include Burger King, Subway, Pizza Hut, Domino’s to name a few.

What Can I Buy With My EBT Card From Authorized Places?

Let’s take a look at what you can buy with your food stamp benefits:

• Bread and cereals
• Milk and Dairy Products
• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, poultry and fish
• Snacks, beverages and desserts
• Seeds and Plants
• Energy drinks

Following is the list of items that are not covered by the SNAP EBT card:

• Alcohol and Tobacco
• Household Supplies
• Pet Supplies
• Health and Beauty
• Hot Prepared Food
• Live animals (except fish and shellfish).

How To Check Participating Retailers Near Me?

SNAP recipients who are confused about whether a particular retailer near them accepts SNAP benefits or not can take the help of the USDA SNAP Retailer Locator to learn the participating list of stores in their area of residence.

This amazing tool will make it easier for you to plan an upcoming shopping trip. You can not only use your EBT benefits to load your cart at grocery stores and supermarkets but also purchase hot prepared meals from fast food chains that accept EBT in a few locations. With the rising cost of food and inflation, you can make the most out of your EBT benefits by shopping with SNAP retailers.

Conclusion

More than 42 million people depend on food assistance programs like SNAP to put food on the table each year. SNAP recipients can use their EBT card at participating retailers to purchase authorized food and drink items. In a nutshell, you can use your SNAP benefits to purchase food items and groceries at grocery stores, farmers market, gas stations and convenience stores, big box stores, online retailers, warehouse clubs and select restaurants. Hopefully, this guide has helped you to answer the most frequent question among SNAP recipients: What are the places that take EBT near me? Keep in mind that you can purchase only eligible food items from approved vendors and violating USDA SNAP rules can lead to suspension or permanent termination of your EBT benefits.

Our comprehensive guide at Get Government Grants will help you to make the best decision for yourself and your family. Head over to our blog section today to improve the financial situation of your family. We are passionate about helping people find relevant answers to their questions.