Does CVS Take EBT Cards, Snap or Food Stamp Payment – The Electronic Benefits Transfer is a popular government-issued debit card that helps low-income families and individuals purchase groceries and food items. SNAP beneficiaries can use their EBT card at authorized supermarkets and grocery stores however most of them wonder if they can use it at retail stores like CVS.
Being a popular retail store and pharmacy chain CVS has 10,000 store locations throughout America. Customers can buy a wide variety of products using their food stamp benefits at CVS. This guide will answer the most common question among SNAP recipients: “Does CVS take EBT and will help you to find out what are the eligible goods that you can purchase from CVS using your EBT benefits.
Highlights of this Post
Key Takeaways
- Yes, most CVS locations accept EBT cards for SNAP-eligible food items.
- Not all CVS stores accept EBT (check with your local store).
- Only SNAP-approved groceries can be purchased with EBT (no hot meals, pharmacy items, etc.).
- You can use your EBT card balance and PIN at checkout.
- Explore alternative retailers (Walmart, Amazon, etc.) for online EBT purchases.
What Is EBT And How Does It Work?
EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer and refers to plastic cards that work similarly to debit cards and allow you to use your SNAP benefits at authorized retail stores. Both SNAP and EBT are the updated versions of the food stamp program that helped reduce fraud and made sure government benefits reach out to needy families and individuals in America.
To use the EBT card, recipients must insert the card into the POS terminal at the designated retail store and enter the four-digit secret PIN. The funds are transferred from the federal government’s account to the particular retail account and authorization gets completed.
Apart from grocery stores there are even bakeries that are accepting EBT payments throughout the country. You can read them in our next guide.
What Is CVS?
CVS refers to an American retail corporation and a subsidiary of CVS Health that is headquartered in Woonsocket Rhode Island. CVS’s massive chain of pharmacies is located throughout the United States of America. The chain was founded in Lowell MA in 1963. Today there are 10,000+ CVS stores throughout the country so you can easily find a community with a local CVS.
The chain sells everything that you expect to get from a general pharmacy in addition to health and beauty products, household items and a wide array of groceries. There are 9292 CVS pharmacy stores throughout America as of the 1st April 2024. The state and territory with the maximum number of CVS pharmacy locations in America is California with nearly 1088 retail stores that account for 12% of the entire CVS pharmacy locations in America.
Which States And Territories Have The Maximum CVS Pharmacy Locations?
As you know CVS has 9292 locations in 52 States and territories or 3475 cities let’s take a look at the number and percentage of CVS pharmacy locations in the top ten U.S States and territories:
- California– 1088 or 12% of the U.S CVS Pharmacy locations.
- Florida– 819 or 9% of the U.S CVS Pharmacy locations
- Texas- 789 or 8% of the U.S CVS Pharmacy locations
- New York– 539 or 6% of the U.S CVS Pharmacy locations
- Pennsylvania- 463 or 5% of the U.S CVS pharmacy locations
- Massachusetts– 396 or 4% of the U.S CVS Pharmacy locations
- North Carolina– 355 or 4% of the U.S CVS Pharmacy locations
- Ohio– 349 or 4% of the U.S CVS Pharmacy locations
- Virginia– 349 or 4% of the U.S CVS pharmacy locations
- New Jersey– 345 or 4% of the U.S CVS Pharmacy locations.
There are four states and territories without any CVS Pharmacy locations such as the American Samoa, the U.S Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
The cities with the most number of CVS Pharmacy locations in America are Houston, Miami, New York, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Washington, Philadelphia, San Antonio and Las Vegas.
Can I Use My EBT Card At CVS?
Yes, most of the CVS store locations take EBT cards as an acceptable payment method for SNAP-eligible products however not all CVS stores accept EBT. 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. SNAP beneficiaries can purchase eligible goods like fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products, poultry, fish, bread, cereals, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages with their EBT card from here.
In addition to food stamps, EBT card holders can also purchase non-SNAP eligible goods such as household items with their EBT cash benefits. The cash benefits come in the form of State General Assistance or Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Program. Even though CVS does not accept EBT Cash benefits for any purchase you can use the card to withdraw cash from an ATM and use the cash benefits at any participating retail store including CVS.
CVS’s Policy On EBT Purchase
CVS has its own guidelines and restrictions on the use of EBT at any of its store locations or online platforms. Here are the things that you must keep in mind when shopping at CVS with EBT benefits.
- Customers must not use the EBT card to pay any fees or taxes associated with their purchase at CVS
- Customers cannot use their EBT card to purchase meals or hot food that is meant to be eaten in the store
- Customers cannot use the card to pay for the shipping cost or delivery fees with the help of the CVS EBT pilot program.
It is also important to remember that using your EBT card for the purchase of SNAP-eligible items or trying to misuse the benefits can result in serious consequences and criminal charges such as fines.
What Can You Buy At CVS With Your EBT Card or Food Stamps?
The Electronic Benefits Transfer card covers the cost of essential food and groceries that come with a nutritional value. USDA has strict guidelines on the use of SNAP EBT cards to ensure government SNAP funds are used for the right purpose. According to USDA EBT cards can be used for the purchase of eligible food items that include the following.
- Bread and cereals: All types of bread, crackers, cereals, pasta, oatmeal and rice are allowed
- Milk and Dairy Products: All types of milk, yogurt, cheese and butter are eligible
- Juices and Energy drinks: Specific energy drinks are allowed for purchase using an EBT card if they are labeled as Nutrition Facts instead of Supplements Facts.
- Fruits and vegetables: All types of fresh, canned or frozen fruits and vegetables are allowed for EBT purchase.
- Meat, poultry and fish: This comprises all forms of meat such as pork, beef, turkey, chicken, fish and lamb
- Snacks and desserts: Chips, cakes, cookies and other snack items are eligible as long as they do not have any vitamins or minerals in them.
- Seeds and Plants: SNAP participants can purchase plants and seeds to grow their produce.
What Are The Items That You Can’t Purchase With Your EBT Card?
When it comes to EBT there are strict guidelines and restrictions on the type of items that you can purchase. Violating the rules and regulations set by USDA can lead to permanent suspension of SNAP benefits. The following are the items that you cannot purchase with your EBT card at any other grocery chain or convenience store.
- Tobacco Products: EBT cards cannot be used to purchase tobacco products like cigars, cigarettes or chewing tobacco
- Alcohol: EBT cards cannot be used to purchase alcohol products like beer, wine or liquor.
- Hot Prepared Foods: Even though few food items are eligible for purchase at gas station convenience stores, buying hot prepared food like pizza or dairy sandwiches is not covered by your SNAP or EBT benefits.
- Non-Food Items: Generally, non-food items like clothing, household supplies, hygiene, laundry items, gasoline, paper products and more are eligible for purchase using your EBT card.
- Pet Foods: Your food stamp benefits cannot be used for purchasing pet food as the SNAP program requires beneficiaries to use the card for buying food for human consumption.
The only exception to this rule is the Restaurant Meals Program that allows a few SNAP recipients to use their EBT card for the purchase of hot prepared meals in select states. Know about the participating fast-food restaurants that are authorized to accept EBT in our next blog.
Can You Use EBT For CVS Curbside Pickup?
Yes, SNAP recipients can use their EBT benefits for CVS curbside pickups however they have to purchase SNAP-eligible items only as listed by USDA. CVS has launched a pilot program in some of its store locations and started accepting EBT payments online for eligible items. This has made it convenient and flexible for customers to use their SNAP benefits to purchase groceries and staple foods from Cvs.com and get them delivered to their doorstep or picked up through curbside pickup.
CVS EBT Pilot Program
CVS launched a pilot program in 2018 in a few of its locations to accept EBT or food stamps for eligible goods online. This online pilot initiative by CVS enabled customers to use food stamp benefits for the purchase of eligible goods and get them delivered to their doorstep. It is however not clear whether CVS will be expanding this initiative to all its stores across the country.
Do you know which retailers in California accept EBT payments? Head over to our next guide to learn about the comprehensive list.
How To Save Your Dollars At CVS?
There are numerous ways in which you can save a few dollars while shopping for SNAP-eligible products at CVS. You can do a lot of shopping at CVS and stretch your food budget further by getting CVS extra cards that help you to get rewards from in-store discounts and additional money-saving benefits.
Customers must keep an eye out on CVS ads as well as flyers to check sales on items that they frequently purchase. Getting goods on sale will help you to save money. You can make the most out of your grocery budget by having a budget in mind. If you purchase any items that are not covered by the EBT program then you can use other payment methods like credit card, debit card, cash, Apple Pay and so on.
How Do Stores Qualify To Accept EBT Cards?
SNAP-authorized grocery stores or chains should meet one of the two staple food criteria to process EBT payments. Basic food items that make a significant part of a person’s diet refer to staple foods like fruits or vegetables, poultry milk etc. These food items are prepared at one’s home and eaten as meals and generally do not include heated food, prepared food or accessory food.
USDA Criterion A
As per USDA guidelines, any grocery store in America should have at least three stocking units of three different varieties for each staple food category continuously. There should be at least one perishable variety for two staple food categories as well.
There are four food categories for EBT-friendly stores: fruits or vegetables, dairy products, meat/ poultry/ fish and bread or cereals. There are 36 food stocking units required to meet USDA Criteria A. A lot of stores are authorized under this criterion.
USDA Criterion B
Any store that has at least 50% of its gross total retail stores coming from the sale of staple food is qualified by the SNAP EBT program. Specialty stores for instance butcher shops are also authorized under USDA Criterion B.
How To Use Your EBT Card To Shop At CVS?
Here is a step-by-step guide to using your food stamp benefits or EBT card at CVS.
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Check EBT Balance
If you’re planning to pay for products with the help of your EBT card it is critical to check your SNAP balance by checking your last receipt. If you’re unable to find it then you can contact the customer service toll-free number designated to your state.
Checking the last balance will make sure you have enough to spend at CVS or any other retail chain. EBT just like any other credit card has a limit. Once you confirm you have the balance you can visit your local CVS store that accepts and purchases eligible items.
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Enter PIN To Complete The EBT Transaction
Customers may need to separate EBT-eligible items from the non-EBT eligible items at the checkout lane. They have to swipe their EBT at the card reader or hand it over to the clerk to swipe it for them.
The next step is to enter the four-digit PIN and press enter to authorize the transaction. Once you confirm the transaction by pressing the ‘Yes’ or ‘OK’ key you can collect the receipt that will show the name of the store, address, the purchase amount and your remaining balance on the EBT account.
Additional Retail Chains That Accept EBT In USA
As you know CVS is accepting EBT payments from SNAP beneficiaries in a few of its store locations, let’s take a look at alternate online retailers, grocery stores, pharmacies or convenience stores that are accepting EBT for SNAP-eligible goods.
Amazon
Amazon is accepting food stamps through Amazon Fresh and Groceries On Amazon. There is no need to go for an Amazon Prime membership to use your EBT benefits however SNAP recipients get membership discounts. You can get free delivery through Amazon Fresh in case your SNAP-eligible purchases are for $35 or more. Otherwise, you have to pay a small fee that you cannot cover with your EBT card.
Walmart
Walmart is another popular online retailer that works throughout the United States of America. Recipients can use their EBT card to purchase groceries online from Walmart. The retailer is committed to helping SNAP beneficiaries access healthy, affordable and nutritious food by enrolling in the U.S Online Purchasing Pilot Program.
Target
Target is a popular grocery retailer in America that accepts SNAP benefits as a form of payment both in-store and online from SNAP beneficiaries. Shoppers can buy eligible grocery items and products on Target.com and get them delivered through its delivery service known as Shipt. The same-day grocery delivery option comes with the cost of $9.99 whereas Shipt members get free delivery on orders above $35.
DoorDash
DoorDash is another online platform where EBT is accepted as a method of payment online. Stores on DoorDash that accept cards are Pavilions, Vons, Star Market, Albertson, Safeway, ALDI, Meijer etc. You need to create an account with DoorDash to use the online platform to purchase goods with EBT cards.
Costco
The multinational American corporation Costco operates a lot of warehouses throughout America and accepts EBT from SNAP beneficiaries. It is important to note that to purchase SNAP-eligible goods from this popular retailer you need to opt for memberships that cost somewhere between $60 to $120.
Instacart
You can use your EBT card for online grocery delivery and pickup with Instacart. Being one of the biggest grocery chains in the United States of America, Instacart accepts payments from SNAP recipients and helps them purchase food items and groceries at participating locations.
Safeway
Safeway is an American supermarket chain that is operating today as a banner of the Albertsons company and is one of the largest drug and food retailers in the United States of America. Safeway is one of the United States retailers that has been approved by the Department of Agriculture to accept EBT or SNAP benefits online from SNAP beneficiaries.
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.
Sprouts
Sprouts Farmers Market is a prominent grocery store chain in America that sells fresh and healthy products and accepts EBT payments from SNAP beneficiaries. Even though the chain is not accepting EBT for online payments it accepts food stamps in all of its stored locations. The chain operates 340+ stores in 23 U.S. states and you can purchase a wide array of natural food and organic goods including bulk foods or fresh produce.
Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s is a grocery chain that caters to vegetarian and vegan needs and sells high food qualities to all its customers. The grocery chain is accepting EBT in all of its store locations for in-store purchases only and is not enrolled in the USDA Online Purchasing Pilot Program. When purchasing goods from Trader Joe’s it is important to ensure you are purchasing SNAP-eligible goods only.
A few more retailers that are accepting EBT just like CVS are as follows:
- Kroger
- Publix
- Hy-Vee
- H-E-B
- Smaller Chains
- 7-Eleven
- A&J Market
- Hometown Foods
- Jubilee Foods
- City Market
- Piggly Wiggly
- Tops Friendly Markets
- Dollar Stores
- All Stores
- Walgreen
- Sam’s Club
- Family Food Stores
- Foodland
- Market Basket
- Stater Bros
- Town & Country Market
- Warehouse Market
- Whole Foods
- Weis Markets
- Wright’s Market
- Rite Aid
- WinCo
- Albertsons
- ShopRite
- Stop & Shop
- Speedway
- Big Y Foods
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Friendly Foods
- Harris Teeter etc.
Get a comprehensive list of SNAP-eligible goods and grocery stores that accept EBT payments online in our next guide.
Conclusion
SNAP recipients who love to shop with CVS would be pleased to note that the pharmacy chain accepts EBT or food stamps as a method of payment for eligible food items from SNAP beneficiaries. However there are a few guidelines and restrictions that you must be aware of while using your EBT card at CVS. Even though CVS is providing a convenient option for those who depend on food stamp funds, paying attention to the list of items you can buy and making sure that it falls within SNAP EBT guidelines before attempting to use your EBT card is critical. In a nutshell, if you’re wondering whether CVS is accepting EBT payments the answer is definitely yes, as long as you are buying eligible food items. Using your EBT card at CVS is a simple process. Our guide has also listed alternate retail stores that are accepting EBT just like CVS.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does CVS Take Apple Pay?
Yes CVS accepts Apple Pay at all of its store locations throughout the United States of America. They also accepted E-wallets like Google Pay since 2018 to provide more convenience and flexibility to their customers.
What Payment Methods Does CVS Accept?
CVS accepts USA-issued MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover credit or debit cards. Apart from this it also accepts e-wallets like Apple and Google Pay and EBT payments at a few of its store locations.
Does CVS Give Cash Back?
Customers can get cash back worth $35 per transaction while making purchases at any CVS store in America. CVS stores sell cash back that starts at $5 and increases in $5 increments up to a maximum of $35. It is critical to note that the cashback amount that you get at the CVS store is not associated with the ordered value.