Does ALDI Take EBT Card Payment? – The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps citizens of the United States to stretch their food budget every month. But what if getting to the grocery store and shopping in person is a challenge for you? If shopping trips are challenging for you due to limited mobility or due to transportation barriers you can use your online SNAP EBT card for grocery delivery and pickup. These easy and convenient options are generally available through a website or app and are offered by major retailers as well as grocery stores across the country.
One of the biggest grocery chains in America, ALDI is already accepting EBT payments from customers. As with any other grocery chain, ALDI users who qualify for SNAP benefits can use the EBT card to buy groceries and food items at participating locations. ALDI makes it easier for people to get things they need and maximize their benefits with multiple payment options. However, there are certain considerations while using your card at ALDI. This guide will discuss how you can use your EBT card at ALDI.
Highlights of this Post
Key Takeaways
- ALDI accepts EBT cards at all U.S. locations for in-store purchases.
- SNAP recipients can also use EBT cards for online grocery delivery and pickup through Instacart in 37 states (excluding delivery fees).
- ALDI accepts various payment methods, including cash, debit/credit cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay.
- Some restrictions apply to using EBT cards, such as for non-food items and hot meals.
What Is Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)?
Electronic Benefits Transfer refers to a program created for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in America and several districts under the US jurisdiction. EBT cards are generally a form of government assistance that were created during the early 2000s. They may have different names in different states but they are a part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
EBT is an electronic system that enables recipients of SNAP to use a card loaded with credits to purchase groceries and food items offline and online. SNAP recipients can get items like dairy products, fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, poultry, bread, serials and other snack items with their EBT card. EBT is currently available in all 50 states as well as districts like Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam under the SNAP.
Does ALDI Accept EBT/ SNAP Benefits Card?
Yes ALDI accepts EBT or SNAP benefits cards at authorized locations. ALDI is not only popular for its affordable prices on household items and groceries but has also gained recognition for its commitment to providing healthy food options to its in-store brand products.
ALDI’s stores accept EBT in addition to major credit and debit cards as well as Google Pay and Apple Pay. The company has around 1900+ locations throughout the United States of America and accepts SNAP EBT cards at every one of their 1900+ stores in each state.
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SNAP recipients can use their EBT card to purchase nutritious groceries for instance fruits or vegetables, meat, cereals, grains, whole wheat bread, juice, milk and canned juice all day. If you have not shopped already before then you may not have a membership card. If you are among the non-members you will not be able to enter the ALDI warehouses.
To shop at ALDI with your EBT card you have to be a member or have someone else’s membership card for making purchases in person. The company accepts SNAP or EBT cards online for delivery and curbside pickup through its collaboration with Instacart in 37 states however you cannot use the card to cover your delivery and service fees.
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What Are The Items You Can Purchase With EBT Card At ALDI?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a federal program for low-income families who need assistance from the government to purchase food.
Previously recipients used to pay for their food using food stamps but today they use reloadable EBT debit cards instead. SNAP being a part of the USDA is managed at the state level so there are different rules and regulations in different states. You must check the appropriate agency within your state to learn how the program works and when your debit card will be reloaded with credits.
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According to USDA the cards generally cover the cost of necessary groceries with nutritional value. Following is the list of approved items that are available on EBT food packages at ALDI.
- Breads and cereals
- Milk and dairy products like cheese, yogurt etc.
- Meat and poultry
- Legumes and fish
- Pasta, rice and tortillas
- Juice (non-carbonated and shelf-stable)
- Peanut butter
- Tofu and other soy products
- Whole wheat bread as well as other whole grains
- Seeds and plants that produce food to eat
- Other food items like snacks and non-alcoholic beverages
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What Items Can’t You Buy With EBT At ALDI?
While SNAP recipients can buy a wide variety of grocery and food items with their EBT card there are a few restrictions that you must follow. You cannot use your EBT card to purchase the following food items at ALDI.
- Cigarettes or tobacco products
- Alcoholic beverages like beer, liquor, wine etc.
- Hot food
- Vitamins, supplements and medicines
- Cleaning supplies
- Pet foods
- Hygiene items
- Diapers
- Paper products
- Live animals except for fish, shellfish animals
- Cosmetics
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Using Ebt Card For Unapproved Food Items At ALDI
According to the SNAP guidelines the Electronic Benefits Transfer credits apply only to the purchase of eligible food items. The transaction will not push even if you attempt to use your card at ALDI to purchase SNAP-approved items.
Moreover repeated attempts to use your EBT benefits for unapproved purchases can result in SNAP benefit termination or suspension. For sellers, it is important to remember that fraudulent activities related to food stamps or EBT benefits of $100 or above are considered a felony in the USA that can result in prison time.
Following are the consequences that may happen if you somehow manage to make any unapproved food purchases
- A three-month ban for the first unapproved purchase
- A year ban for the second unapproved purchase
- A year ban for the third unapproved SNAP purchase.
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How To Use Your EBT/ SNAP Benefits Card At ALDI Stores?
The payment method of using an EBT card to purchase SNAP-eligible food items is the same as with any other credit or debit card if you are in a physical ALDI store. You just have to enter your PIN code and add the payment terminal. Once the cashier knows that you are using your SNAP benefits he or she will enter the eligible amount. If the food items are EBT eligible then your total bill will come to zero since your EBT card will be charged for the orders.
In case you have purchased an item that you are not approved of then you’ll have to pay for the remaining amount in cash or through an alternative payment. ALDI enables customers to make multiple payments on one order so even if you have bought the non-eligible item you can quickly pay for another payment source in a single order. Being an EBT cardholder you can use the card to purchase SNAP-eligible food items at ALDI stores in the following ways:
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- Proceed to the checkout counter
- Swipe your EBT card at the counter on ALDI payment terminals and enter your PIN just like you enter any other debit card
- The ALDI system will deduct the debit balance for the SNAP food items and the cashier will process your transaction.
Can You Use Your EBT Card At ALDI For Online Orders?
As you know you can use your EBT card at all ALDI locations throughout America for purchasing grocery items it is critical to learn that you can also use the card to shop online at ALDI. Thanks to ALDI’s partnership with Instacart for same-day grocery delivery or curbside pickup in 29 U.S. states and Washington DC. It is important to note that the Instacart services including the delivery payments will be charged separately and you cannot cover them with EBT benefits.
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Collaborating with Instacart only has made it easy for customers to make grocery shopping effortless. If you’re unable to make it to the physical stores you can get your grocery items on the same day through swift delivery or curbside pickup all while using the best online in various states. The ALDI Instacart collaboration started in Georgia and expanded in 2020 to Illinois, California, Pennsylvania, Texas and Florida.
The USDA Food And Nutrition Service, after the success of the online EBT pilot program further approved the expansion of the program in 22 more states including Washington D.C. Instacart has also announced its plans to increase the number of EBT-friendly stores in future. You can use EBT payment through the Instacart website or mobile app in the available states.
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How To Use EBT On ALDI Through Instacart?
To use your EBT or SNAP Benefits card while browsing through the Instacart interface you have to follow the below-mentioned steps:
- Make sure you have an Instacart profile. Go to the Instacart website to order groceries online. You can either download the app or use its official website
- Click on the ‘Account settings’ and then add your EBT card as a payment method to your Instacart account
- Follow the SNAP rules and guidelines to place your order on approved food items. You can use your EBT card to purchase certain foods like groceries as well as non alcoholic drinks. Search for items labeled EBT at the participating stores. You need to add another payment method for fees, tips and taxes
- Enter your zip code to check if any ALDI stores near you are participating in the EBT online integration
- Once you have selected the store you can add the EBT-eligible food or grocery items from ALDI to your card
- Once you are done with shopping allocate the EBT benefits for the order. If you are getting your groceries delivered to your doorstep then pay for the delivery fees and other service fees.
The delivery and pickup service for your EBT eligible grocery items is active from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Customers can place the order for instant delivery or pick up within an hour.
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What Other Payment Methods Does ALDI Accept?
ALDI accepts cash and debit cards as the only means of payment until 2016. Since then the company has expanded its payment mechanism to include major credit cards, debit cards, SNAP, EBT cards, ALDI gift cards and contactless payment methods including Google Pay and Apple Pay.
The company does not accept checks or WIC payments. Such payment methods are reflected at all ALDI locations and can be used online as well for pickup or delivery through Instacart. ALDI has become one of the fiercest competitors in today’s ongoing grocery competition, due to its low prices, healthy food options and ability to pay for groceries in various convenient ways.
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ALDI’s Return Policy On EBT Items
ALDI follows a standard return policy for all purchases that are made with EBT cards like any other purchase. Despite selling high-quality items, some are backed by the Twice As Nice Guarantee while some have a limited warranty policy by the manufacturer. Customers can return food items for a refund, store credit or exchange within a stipulated period.
If any product purchased from ALDI fails to satisfy you then you can get a refund by replacing it. For this, you have to return the unused products and packaging to the local ALDI store manager. You need to accompany the product with your receipt and if the receipt is lost you will get an ALDI merchandise credit gift card which is an equivalent of the item’s retail price. It is important to read the instruction manual or warranty card to learn how you can make a warranty claim.
However, perishable food, and edible food items are non-returnable at ALDI. The policy applies to all purchases that are made with EBT. In addition to EBT cards, ALDI accepts other payment methods including cash, debit cards or credit cards. Users can choose any payment method that works best for them at the time of the purchase.
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What Are The Other Platforms That Accept EBT?
Besides ALDI there are various grocery stores, pharmacies and dollar stores that accept EBT cards at authorized store locations.
Major Retailers
- Amazon
- Target
- Walmart
- DoorDash
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Grocery Stores
- ShopRite
- HEB
- Costco
- Albertsons
- Speedway
- Food Lion
- Stop and shop
- PublixWord
- All stores
- Kroger
- Trader Joe’s
- Walmart
- At Sam’s Club
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Pharmacy
- Walgreens
- All stores
- CVS
- Rite Aid
Dollar stores
- Dollar Tree
- Family Dollar
- Dollar General
- All stores
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Conclusion
ALDI accepts EBT payments which makes it a perfect store for low-income people who depend on government assistance programs to purchase food. It is a well-known grocery store chain in America that accepts EBT or SNAP benefits cards. The process to purchase SNAP-eligible food items at ALDI with your EBT is a simple process. Understanding both the policies and consequences of using your EBT card for unapproved items is also important if you want to enjoy the benefits in the long run without any problems. If you enjoy shopping for groceries and food items at ALDI you will be pleased to know that ALDI accepts SNAP EBT payments for in-store purchases, grocery pickup as well as delivery orders throughout America.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does ALDI Accept EBT Cards?
There are various ALDI stores located throughout the United States of America. These stores allow people to purchase food items using their SNAP EBT cards. The SNAP retail locator will help you to identify the nearby grocery stores that accept EBT cards. You have to fill in your zip code or address and tap on the map for more details and directions to the authorized retailers within that location.
Which Is Cheaper: Walmart Or ALDI?
Both Walmart and ALDI provide affordable prices when it comes to groceries. However, ALDI provides lower prices compared to Walmart and is renowned for providing exclusive brand products at reasonable prices with weekly deals and discounts for customers.
Can You Use Your EBT Card For Online Purchases At ALDI?
You cannot use your EBT card to pay for any other goods online at ALDI. Moreover, you cannot use it at ALDI to pay for curbside pickup or grocery delivery. ALDI will allow you to use your EBT card for purchasing items in-store.
Does ALDI Accept EBT For Curbside Pickup?
Yes, the curbside pickup option is available both in ALDI stores and when you place an order online. Customers will be charged $1.99 and if the order is below $35 it will cost around $3.99 for pick up. The delivery is free for those using Instacart Express.