Does Stater Bros Take EBT Cards, Snap or Food Stamps? Millions of Americans today have enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to pay their food bills at authorized retail stores and supermarkets. One such privately held supermarket chain that accepts food stamps or EBT benefits is Stater Bros which is located in San Bernardino CA and has opened 171 store locations in the Southern part of the state.
The supermarket chain is popular for selling seafood, meat baked goods, deli meat, flowers and fresh produce. If you are a SNAP recipient and wonder how you can use your food stamp benefits at Stater Bros then you are at the right place. This article will cover how you can use your EBT card at Stater Bros and what are the approved products that you can cover with food stamp benefits.
Highlights of this Post
Key Takeaway
- Stater Bros accepts EBT cards in all its Southern California locations.
- You can use your EBT card to purchase SNAP-approved food items like fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy.
- Stater Bros partners with Instacart for online grocery delivery and pickup using EBT benefits.
- Non-EBT items in your order require a separate payment method.
Overview Of The SNAP EBT Initiative
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a federal initiative geared towards low-income households to alleviate hunger. This program is known as CalFresh in California. It is interesting to note that households in California receive nearly 14% of food stamp benefits from the government. The SNAP benefits come in the form of a card known as an Electronic Benefits Transfer card and is an updated version of food stamps.
Once accepted and approved into the SNAP program recipients will be allotted via a debit card where monthly food benefits will get credited each month so that recipients can shop for eligible purchases from participating stores and retail shops. Using an EBT card is similar to using any debit or credit card and is also known to be an easy and secure way for low-income households to buy groceries.
Read also: Does Shipt Accept Food Stamps, SNAP, or EBT?
What Is Stater Bros?
Stater Bros Market is the largest privately owned supermarket chain located in Southern California that is committed to serving local communities and providing flexibility to customers when it comes to different payment forms. Stater Bros provide a convenient and affordable way for families in California to access pantry staples and fresh nutritious foods conveniently in-store and online using their EBT benefits.
The community is located throughout Southern California and prefers to shop with Stater Bros for their everyday grocery needs. The supermarket chain nurtures families and other communities at 170+ stores with more than 18,000 employees. While the chain is popular for its meat counter and its high quality you can also find other necessary grocery items here.
Does Stater Bros Accept EBT Cards?
Yes, Stater Bros accept EBT cards throughout Southern California in all its 170+ participating store locations.Similar to any other convenience store or grocery chain in America, Stater Bros accept EBT as a method of payment only for SNAP-approved food items and groceries.
Founded in 1936 in Yucaipa, CA, Stater Bros market has grown steadily over the course of years and is today the largest privately owned supermarket in Southern California. You can get a variety of fresh produce, quality meat, organic produce, gluten-free options, and vegan options.
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What Can You Purchase With Your SNAP EBT Card At Stater Bros Market?
Similar to any other grocery store you can use your SNAP benefits for eligible products at Stater Bros. and this includes the following options.
- Cereals and crackers
- Milk
- Cakes and cookies
- Cooking oil
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat and poultry
- Juice non-carbonated and shelf-stable
- Peanut butter
- Soy and tofu products
- Yogurt or cheese
- Pasta, tortillas and rice
- Lentils and canned fish
- Baby formula
- Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages
- Seeds and plants to produce food
Depending on your current situation for instance age, housing status, location or disability you can enroll in the Restaurant Meals Program. Once you fulfill the eligibility of RMP and live in a specific state or county that is RMP authorized you can be eligible to purchase prepared or hot food.
Following are the states that are participating in Restaurant Meals Programs and enable SNAP recipients to buy food using their EBT benefits.
- Arizona
- California
- Maryland
- Michigan
- A few Illinois counties like David, Cook and Franklin County
- Rhode Island
Read also: What can you Shop Online With EBT?
What Can’t You Purchase With Your SNAP EBT Card At Stater Bros Market?
As per the USDA guidance following is the list of items that you cannot cover with your EBT card and use at Stater Bros market.
- Alcoholic beverages like beer, wine and liquor
- Cigarettes and other tobacco products
- Vitamins, medicines and supplements
- Live animals except fish removed from the water, shellfish and animals slaughtered before pick up from the store
- Energy drinks or any other item that has a Supplements Fact label instead of a Nutrition Facts label
- Pet food
- Cleaning supplies, household supplies, paper products
- Cosmetics and skin care products
- Hygiene items
- Foods that are hot at the point of sale.
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How Can You Use Your EBT Card At Stater Bros Market?
Recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program get monthly SNAP benefits reloaded into their EBT card each month. This card works similarly to a debit or bank card and will be used by specific retailers like Stater Bros Market for the purchase of eligible food items.
Once you’re ready to pay for the approved grocery items you just have to tap, insert or swipe your EBT card into the card machine. The next step is to enter the 4-digit secret PIN that you used to set up your EBT card. Depending on your state of residence a lot of PIN can be transacted online or over the phone call while activating the card.
SNAP recipients also wonder: Does Wawa Accept SNAP, EBT, or Food Stamps?
Does Stater Bros Accept EBT SNAP Benefits Online?
Yes, Stater Bros accept EBT or SNAP benefits in California. The objective of the SNAP program is to offer monthly food benefits to poor households and low-income individuals so that they can afford nutritious and healthy food. The SNAP program is available at Stater Bros for online purchases through the Instacart mobile app and website.
This makes the online delivery and pickup option available to CalFresh SNAP customers and helps them to access fresh, nutritious and healthy food without the need to visit the store in person. The partnership of Stater Bros with Instacart is an effort to make reasonable delivery and pickup accessible among Southern California families. The partnership that happened in 2016 tends to provide same-day delivery and pickup options for CalFresh recipients.
To enjoy same-day grocery delivery or pick-up online options from Stater Bros you first need to create a profile with the Instacart website or mobile app and add your EBT card information as a method of payment. You also need to provide a secondary form of payment to cover non-food items like tips, taxes or fees as per the SNAP guidelines.
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How Does Stater Bros Delivery On Instacart Work?
Stater Bros provide same-day delivery with Instacart in select locations in California for instance Riverside and you can get your order delivered within one hour. Stater Bros in California accepts EBT as a method of payment for grocery delivery or pickup orders placed through Instacart.
Using the Instacart website or app to purchase eligible items at Stater Bros with the EBT card is a simple process. You just need to shop for your favorite products from your local Stater Bros store and once you place your order Instacart will connect you with a shopper in your local area who will shop and deliver your items. Instacart enables customers to track their orders and communicate with the shopper using the Instacart app or website.
Stater Bros Delivery Cost Through Instacart
Here is the breakdown of the delivery cost through Instacart if you want to shop for Stater Bros products online.
- Individuals who have taken Instacart + membership get free delivery fees on every order of more than $35 whereas non-members have to pay a delivery fee starting from $3.99 for same-day orders of more than $35. Fees may vary depending on club store deliveries, one-hour deliveries and deliveries below $35.
- The service fees may vary and are subject to change based on various factors like the number and type of items on your card and your location. Generally, orders containing alcohol come with a separate service fee and members have access to low service fees.
- The tipping fee is optional and you can cover the tipping service and delivery cost using alternate sources of payment as they are not covered using your EBT funds.
The best thing about online ordering from Stater Bros through Instacart is the flexibility to schedule your order. For instance, you can choose a drop-off time for later in the day, as fast as an hour or in a week to fit your schedule. The delivery hours can be subjected to store operating hours including holidays.
Note: You cannot use Stater Bros gift cards as a method of payment to purchase goods online from Stater Bros through Instacart.
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What Are The Other Forms Of Payment Accepted At Stater Bros Market?
In addition to Electronic Benefits Transfer Cards, Stater Bros accept many other forms of payment to provide convenience and flexibility to its customers. The general acceptable forms of payment include the following options:
- CalFresh
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- MasterCard
- Visa
- American Express
- Discover
- WIC vouchers
- Debit card
Customers can shop in a variety of ways at Stater Bros. The supermarket chain provides contactless curbside pickup or delivery options for their customers. You can choose to pay online with your EBT cash or SNAP EBT benefits.
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What Is The Return Policy Followed By Stater Bros On EBT Goods?
Similar to any other grocery chain, Stater Bros accept returns for most of their items that are purchased from their store locations within a period of 30 days from the date of purchase. However, the return or exchange of perishable items should be made before the Best By date. Customers need to produce a copy of their receipt for all refunds.
EBT or SNAP purchases are eligible for exchange only. WIC purchases on the other hand are not eligible for return as per the guidelines from the issuing agency but you can exchange the item for an identical one. The company makes refunds to the same payment method used for making the initial payment for instance if you have made a purchase using a credit card then the company will refund your credit card within seven business days.
If you have made a purchase using a debit card or cash then you will get a refund in cash. Returns without a receipt that are valued at $10 or more are eligible for a Stater Bros market store credit and if the return is less than $10 the refund will be made based on payment.
Customers who want to return baby formula must produce a receipt to get the exchange or return and if the formula has been purchased using WIC then it cannot be returned as per USDA regulation however you are eligible for an exchange for the identical item.
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Which Other Grocery Stores Accept SNAP EBT Payments?
The SNAP has reached millions of Americans nationwide and the number of participants is expected to rise with each passing day. Stater Bros works only in Southern California so let’s take a look at the following major grocery stores that accept SNAP EBT payments across the country.
Amazon
SNAP recipients who are looking for online food service companies that accept EBT methods of payment can opt for Amazon. EBT cards are accepted at Amazon.com and Amazon Fresh.
The best thing about shopping with Amazon with the EBT benefits is that you can cover a wide variety of necessary goods here. Amazon has been accepting EBT cards from snap beneficiaries since 2019.
Target
SNAP EBT benefits are accepted online as well as in-store purchases at Target. The company has its delivery service arm known as Shipt.
To place an order with Target you have to make an account at Target.com with your EBT card. Shipt members get free delivery on orders more than $35 whereas for same-day delivery groceries at target.com come with a cost of $9.99.
Aldi
Similar to Stater Bros Aldi has partnered with Instacart to provide same-day grocery delivery or curbside pickup options in nearly 29 states including Washington DC.
Aldi is accepting EBT or SNAP benefits both in-store and for online purchases to help SNAP recipients get affordable and nutritious food. You cannot cover Instacart services like delivery or service charges with your EBT card.
Walmart
A popular retailer that works throughout the United States and accepts EBT payments both in-store and online is Walmart. This popular platform enables SNAP recipients to shop for extensive food and groceries.
However, Alaska, Louisiana and Montana are the states where Walmart is not accepting EBT food and EBT cash for online transactions. Apart from grocery and food, it is also popular among Americans for clothes, essential goods, electronics and household items.
Circle K
With nearly 7200 convenience store locations Circle K is available throughout the country and accepts EBT as a method of payment on SNAP-approved items in-store.
You can find SNAP reusable items like snacks, beverages, milk, butter and eggs at Circle K. Out of 50 states in America nearly 47 states are accepting EBT at respective Circle K stores.
Trader Joe’s
One of the most popular grocery stores that accept EBT throughout the United States of America is Trader Joe’s. Trader Joe’s is popular among SNAP recipients for providing fresh food products and high-quality grocery items, particularly vegan, international and organic produce. However, you cannot use your EBT card for online delivery service or curbside pickup like Amazon and Walmart here.
Additional EBT-Friendly Stores
- 99 Ranch
- Acme Markets
- AJ’s Fine Foods
- Albertsons
- Speedway
- Associated Food Stores
- Bashas
- Big Y Foods
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Bravo Supermarkets
- Brookshire’s
- City Market
- Costco
- Dillons Stores
- Fareway Meat & Grocery
- Fine Fare Supermarkets
- Food 4 Less
- Food City
- Food Lion
- Foodtown
- Fred Meyer
- Fry’s Food Stores
- Giant Eagle
- Giant Food
- Hannaford Supermarkets
- Harris Teeter
- HEB
- Jewel-Osco
- Jubilee Foods
- King Soopers
- Kings Food Markets
- Kroger
- Lowe’s Grocery
- Meijer
- Piggly Wiggly
- Pick N Save
- Price Chopper
- Publix
- QFC Supermarkets
- Raley’s
- Ralphs
- Safeway
- Sam’s Club
- Save Mart
- Schnucks Market
- Shaw’s
- ShopRite
- Smith’s Food and Drug
- Sprouts
- Stop & Shop
- Super 1 Foods
- Superior Grocers
- Tops Markets
- Vons
- Wegmans
- Weis Markets
- Whole Foods
- WinCo
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Conclusion
Stater Bros is a popular American chain of supermarkets in Southern California that sells seafood, deli meat, snacks and various other products. The supermarket chain is accepting EBT cards for both in-store and online purchases through Instacart thereby enabling SNAP recipients to shop for nutritious and healthier groceries conveniently. In case your purchase orders comprise non-eligible EBT items you can pay through alternate sources of payment such as debit card, credit card and cash. Our guide has also provided a list of additional grocery stores and online platforms that are accepting EBT payments for the convenience of SNAP beneficiaries.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Stater Bros Accept EBT Cards Online?
Stater Bros accepts EBT cards for online purchases from SNAP recipients throughout Southern California by partnering with Instacart, the popular online grocery delivery and pick-up platform. Stater Bros.aims to help Californians increase their accessibility to food and nutrition affordably and conveniently.
How Can You Contact Stater Bros Markets?
You can contact Stater Bros markets by filling out a contact form contacting your local store or calling the customer team at 1.855.STATERS (1.855.782.8377) Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm.
Does Stater Bros Markets Provide Curbside Pickup?
Yes, a few Stater Bros markets provide curbside pickup options to customers and you can check the Stater Bros store locator for more updates. Stater Bros markets also provide delivery service and to learn more information you can visit Stater Bros official website. The curbside pickup option is available from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
What Are The Payment Options Available At Stater Bros?
Stater Bros. accepts all major credit cards, personal checks with valid identification, all mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, cash and debit cards. They also accept EBT cards or WIC vouchers as a means of payment.