Does Piggly Wiggly Accept EBT Card, Food Stamps, SNAP – One of the largest hunger safety net programs in America is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that is helping people stay independent and healthy. As per the USDA report, nearly 80% of SNAP benefits are used at big retailers and you can find the stores using the SNAP Retailer Locator.
If you’re looking for information about whether Piggly Wiggly stores near you accept EBT payments or not then you have come to the right place. Consumers who have qualified for the SNAP benefits and are living in an eligible state where Piggly Wiggly runs its services can use their EBT card to buy SNAP-eligible food at the grocery chain. This blog will provide an overview of Piggly Wiggly grocery stores that accept EBT cards in various states throughout the country and how you can use the card in the Piggly Wiggly stores.
Highlights of this Post
Key Takeaways
- Piggly Wiggly accepts EBT in all store locations (South & Midwest).
- SNAP recipients can use EBT to purchase approved food items at Piggly Wiggly.
- Delivery fees cannot be paid with EBT cards.
- You can use your EBT card at Piggly Wiggly like any debit card.
What Is The Difference Between SNAP And EBT?
Before diving into whether Piggly Wiggly accepts food stamps or EBT let’s learn the difference between the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Electronic Benefits Transfer. The SNAP is a federal and state initiative that helps low-income households in America to pay for healthy groceries and eliminate hunger. The program was previously used to provide benefits through paper stamp coupons instead of Electronic Benefits Transfer cards.
Once approved for SNAP you will be given EBT in your mail and the card will get loaded with monthly benefits automatically and will work similarly to any debit card. EBT cards are accepted in almost all grocery stores and chains that sell necessary food items and groceries including Target, Instacart and Walmart. Amazon also accepts EBT cards for eligible groceries and food purchases.
Read also: Does Shipt Accept Food Stamps, SNAP, or EBT?
What Is Piggly Wiggly?
Piggly Wiggly is a popular American supermarket chain that operates in Southern and Midwestern parts of the United States of America. The supermarket chain is popular for being a true self-service grocery store and offers similar supermarket features like individual item price marketing, checkout stands, shopping carts etc. There are 600+ independently owned Piggly Wiggly stores that operate in 17 U.S. states and accept EBT as a method of payment.
Also read: Does H Mart Accept Food Stamp or EBT
What Makes Piggly Wiggly Stands Out From Other Grocery Stores?
Piggly Wiggly might not be the largest grocery store chain in the Southern United States however it has the widest selection of different commercial brands. Stepping into this grocery chain is similar to stepping into any farmer’s market with better options available to choose from.
For instance, in Alabama, Piggly Wiggly store features products like McEwen & Sons Organic Blue Grits, Birmingham’s Best Salsa, Aunt Mae’s Roasted Peanuts, King Brand Stone Ground CornMeal, and Ja Wanda’s Sweet Potato Pie– everything created and manufactured within the state.
Following are the reasons that make Piggly Wiggly stand out from other grocery stores:
- Piggly Wiggly offers an overwhelming selection of South regional specialties like sauces, pickles, coffee beans etc.
- Piggly Wiggly stores across the Southern United States are unknown for their extraordinary beer and wine selection. From buckets of fried chicken to quick sandwiches the store provides reasonably good lunches, party trays and dinner items. The meat pimento sandwich here is available for as low as $2.50.
- At Piggly Wiggly you can get sodas and coke as low as 50 and 70 cents. You can also find weekly specials like boneless chicken breasts, organic blueberries and other seasonal items here.
Does Piggly Wiggly Accept SNAP/ EBT or Food Stamps?
Yes, Piggly Wiggly is one of the U.S grocery chains that is accepting Electronic Benefits Transfer or SNAP benefits as a form of payment. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a popular federal initiative that has been designed for low-income families and individuals who need assistance in buying food.
Customers can pay for the food stamps using their reloadable EBT cards. Almost all store locations of Piggly Wiggly in the South and Midwest United States are equipped to accept EBT as Piggly Wiggly aims to cater to as many customers as possible. This also includes individuals and families who rely on government assistance to pay their food bills and groceries.
The store receives money even after accepting EBT card holders. To accept EBT retailers have to go through a process of acquiring a permit from the government and each location undergoes a procedure including Piggly Wiggly stores that has undergone necessary procedures to become EBT-compatible.
In Which States Does Piggly Wiggly Accept EBT Payments?
Piggly Wiggly operates in the South and Midwestern parts of the United States of America and you can use your EBT card in any one of the following states where the company is operating its store.
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
It is critical to note that even though the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), this program is administered at the state level therefore different states have different rules and criteria so you must check with the appropriate agency in your state and learn how the SNAP EBT program works and when your card will get reloaded.
How To Use EBT At Piggly Wiggly?
Using an EBT card at Piggly Wiggly is a simple and pretty straightforward process as you just have to use the card like any other debit or credit card at a grocery store. Follow the below-mentioned steps to get started
- The first and foremost step is to inform the cashier at Piggly Wiggly that you will be using your EBT card and he or she will notify you to swipe the card through the machine.
- Insert or swipe your card at the point of sale and enter the four-digit PIN
- Next, inform the cashier of the particular amount (either SNAP or cash) from which you want to charge your order.
- The next step is to re enter your PIN on the point of sale keypad to confirm the correct charges. You need to ensure to designate the SNAP benefits for the food items and groceries as the benefits can’t be returned once used
In some cases the supervisor or manager will require you to give a photo identification to verify that the EBT that you are using at Piggly Wiggly for the goods is under your name. The cost of the purchase will be deducted from your SNAP or Cash account as per your direction.
Do not forget to keep the receipt for the returns. There are a few guidelines that customers have to be aware of while using their EBT card at Piggly Wiggly. Firstly you have to present the card at the time of purchase and secondly, you have to use the PIN to complete the purchase and make sure you have adequate funds on the EBT card to make the purchase.
SNAP recipients also look for: Does Winn Dixie Accept Food Stamps or EBT
What Can You Buy At Piggly Wiggly With Your EBT Card?
Piggly Wiggly accepts EBT or SNAP benefits from recipients. The federal guidelines decide the type of items that the SNAP participants can purchase with their Electronic Benefits Transfer card. Following are the items that you can buy with your er card at Piggly Wiggly stores.
- 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
- Fruits and vegetables: All types of fresh, canned or frozen fruits and vegetables are allowed for EBT purchase. This also includes dried fruits and vegetables.
- 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.
- Energy drinks: Specific energy drinks are allowed for purchase using an EBT card if they are labeled as Nutrition Facts instead of Supplement Facts label.
What Can’t You Buy With Your EBT Card At Piggly Wiggly?
Following is the list of items that are not covered by EBT cards at Piggly Wiggly stores:
- Alcohol and Tobacco: EBT funds cannot be used to buy alcoholic beverages like wine, liquor, beer, cigarettes and any other tobacco products
- Household Supplies: This includes non-food items like paper goods and cleaning products
- Pet Supplies: This includes pet food, bedding and toys
- Health and Beauty: This includes cosmetics, medications, vitamins, hygiene products and supplements
- Hot Prepared Food: This includes food items that are ready for immediate consumption such as hot prepared meals and food from restaurants.
- Live animals (except fish and shellfish).
What Are The Other Forms Of Payment Accepted By Piggly Wiggly?
Outside of EBT payment, Piggly Wiggly accepts many other forms of payment. The different sources of payment come in handy if you wish to buy any item that is not covered by SNAP benefits or EBT card.
Therefore you can use the payment as a backup for things that are not covered by the SNAP program. Piggly Wiggly accepts the following methods of payment from its customers:
- Visa
- MasterCard
- Discover
- American Express
- Credit card
- Debit cards bearing Visa or MasterCard logo.
Read also: Does UberEats Take Ebt
How To Sign Up For EBT/ SNAP?
If you are not enrolled into the SNAP program then it’s time to apply for the initiative and fulfill the eligibility criteria. The program has assisted thousands of low-income families throughout the country fill the monthly gap between their bills and paychecks.
To sign up for the EBT program you need to fulfill the eligibility criteria, complete the application process and set up your EBT card.
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Fulfill The SNAP Eligibility Criteria
SNAP is a federal initiative that works with the state government and may change slightly depending on your state of residence. While most of the states follow federal guidelines for SNAP eligibility, few states have different rules.
This requires you to fulfill the household income and household size criteria. Candidates cannot have as many as $2500 or $3750 if they have a disability or elderly household members.
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Complete The Application
Once you confirm that you can meet the SNAP requirements of your state the next step is to complete the online application or visit a local office.
The application will seek the following details from you: your address, name, birthday and Social Security, whether you are participating in the government assistance program, income information, whether you receive any child support or not, previous criminal conviction for you or any of your household members etcetera. You can seek help from your local SNAP office to complete the application.
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Go For The Interview And Set Your EBT Card
Once your application is approved you can attend a short in-person or over-the-phone interview. This interview will confirm the details written on your application and you may have to provide supporting documents.
When your application as well as interview are completed you will receive your EBT card in the mail which takes about a week to arrive. Follow the instructions to set up the PIN and now you are ready to use your EBT card to enjoy healthy and nutritious food.
Read also: What can you Shop Online With EBT?
Can I Use My EBT Card To Order Groceries Online At Piggly Wiggly?
The USDA runs an Online Purchasing z Program that enables customers to have a valid Electronic Benefits Transfer card to use SNAP funds for purchasing online from participating retailers. SNAP recipients in the USA can pay for online grocery orders with valid EBT cards from authorized stores in participating states.
Thanks to the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot in most states you can order groceries online with the help of your SNAP benefits. Sadly Alaska, Louisiana and Montana are not participating in this program so you may not order groceries online if you are living in these states. Fortunately, you can use your EBT card to order groceries online at Piggly Wiggly in select states.
Online Shopping Fees And Taxes At Piggly Wiggly
Piggly Wiggly charges fees are generally based on the services offered such as the following
Delivery Fees
Piggly Wiggly offers online delivery by partnering with DoorDash and the cost is $3.99 for the same day $35 order or more. Fees for orders below $35 come with a cost of $9.99.
Service Fees
Service fees support Piggly Wiggly online shopping platform and cover a wide array of operating costs such as online shopping operational costs, customer support etc.
The service fees at Piggly Wiggly may vary depending on the size of your order and whether you are choosing curbside pickup or delivery. Orders for pickup less than $35 come with a service fee of $4.99 whereas orders that are in the range between $35 to $124.9 come with a service fee of $1.99. There is a 7% service fee for all delivery orders.
Taxes
Taxes are included in the order total on your receipt like any other product or service. Depending on your location the service or delivery fees that you are paying in exchange for the service may also be subject to tax that you pay on the products at Piggly Wiggly.
Taxes are calculated the same way as in any other physical store. A sales tax will be applied to the food items in your order by the local laws depending on your delivery address or the address of the store.
Alternate Platforms That Accept EBT Cards To Order Groceries Online?
Instacart
SNAP-eligible Instacart customers throughout the United States of America can pay for their online grocery orders using valid EBT cards from the following stores:
- ALDI
- Food Lion
- Save Mart
- FoodMaxx
- Lucky Supermarkets
- Price Chopper
- Market 32
- Market Bistro
Customers who have a valid EBT card in all states except Louisiana, Alaska and Montana can use their SNAP benefits on Instacart at participating retailers. People like to use the Instacart platform to order groceries online as it is an amazing way to use EBT cards to cover grocery costs.
Target
Similar to Walmart, Target accepts EBT payments from its customers. Since 2022, the company has enabled SNAP beneficiaries to use their EBT card for payment.
Target customers get the ease and convenience of selecting their food items and groceries online. However, the delivery charges cannot be covered with an EBT card. You can purchase groceries at Target in-store locations as well as opt for the Target online pickup option.
Amazon
Both Amazon.com and Amazon Fresh accept EBT cards from SNAP beneficiaries. If you are looking for grocery delivery companies that accept EBT cards from SNAP beneficiaries as a method of payment, then you can go for Amazon as one of the best alternatives to Walmart. You can select from a wide array of products on Amazon. Amazon has been accepting EBT cards from customers since 2019.
Other Grocery Stores
There are several EBT-friendly grocery stores located throughout the country such as the following:
- Albertsons
- Big Y Foods
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Costco
- City Market
- Family Food Stores
- Foodland
- Food Lion
- Friendly Foods
- Harris Teeter
- Hometown Foods
- Jubilee Foods
- Kroger
- Market Basket
- Piggly Wiggly
- Publix
- Safeway
- Sam’s Club
- Kroger
- Walgreen
- CVS
- Rite Aid
- Speedway
- All Stores
- Dollar Tree
Conclusion
The popular US supermarket Piggly Wiggly which operates in South and Midwestern America is not only popular for being a true self-service grocery store but also for accepting EBT from SNAP beneficiaries. Fortunately this supermarket accepts food stamps or EBT in all of its store locations. Piggly Wiggly is committed to helping individuals across the country live healthy lifestyles by making a significant difference in their diet. The acceptance of EBT as a payment method has made it one of the most preferred and common store locations among SNAP recipients living in Southern and Midwestern America. However, you need to adhere to the aforementioned guidelines about what you can or can’t buy using your EBT card.
Recipients can benefit from various support programs and resources that are available throughout America. You can discover more about us by visiting the Get Government Grants’ section today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use EBT To Pay For Delivery?
Unfortunately, no food stamps or EBT cards can be used for buying groceries, healthy food and drink items. Grocery delivery fees including delivery charges cannot be paid using SNAP benefits.
Can I Use My EBT Card At Piggly Wiggly?
Yes, Piggly Wiggly accepts EBT cards as a method of payment to store locations situated in the Southern and Midwestern United States of America. It is critical to note that you can buy only editable products using your EBT card at Piggly Wiggly stores in person or online.
How Can I Use My EBT Card At Piggly Wiggly?
You can use your EBT card in the same way you use any other electronic payment at convenience stores or grocery markets. You need to let the cashier at Piggly Wiggly know that you will be paying with the help of your EBT card. When it comes to paying, simply swipe your card and enter the four-digit PIN that has been assigned to you by SNAP authorities.