Does Target Take EBT Card, Snap or Food Stamps? – Nearly 41 million low-income Americans are participating in USDA’s initiative Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to pay their food bills. A lot of people who are enrolled on this program wonder how to shop for groceries at retail stores. Fortunately, a lot of big box stores such as Target, Walmart and Amazon provide convenience and flexible one-stop destinations for SNAP-eligible families and individuals.
If you are on SNAP benefits and wonder if you can use the benefits at Target then you are at the right place. SNAP recipients can shop for more than 4500 EBT-eligible products and even shop online using food stamp benefits. In this comprehensive article, we will help you discover more information about Target’s policies on EBT and what items you can use to buy with EBT cards at Target.
Highlights of this Post
Key Takeaways
- Target accepts SNAP/EBT for groceries in-store and online via Shipt.
- Over 4,500 EBT-eligible grocery items are available at Target.
- Separate transactions are needed for EBT and non-EBT purchases.
- Some Target mini stores (e.g., CVS Health) may not accept EBT.
What Is The Difference Between EBT, SNAP And Food Stamps?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was previously known as Food Stamps and is a federal initiative that helps low-income Americans purchase necessary food items and improve their health. The Electronic Benefit Transfer Card is an electronic system that enables SNAP recipients to pay for their food using EBT benefits.
Every time SNAP users purchase something from an authorized EBT retail store, funds are taken from their EBT account to pay for the particular store. The SNAP EBT initiative is present in all 50 U.S. states including the District of Columbia, Virginia Island, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia and Guam.
Recommended: Does Buc-ee’s Accept SNAP, EBT, or Food Stamps?
What Is Target?
One of the leading grocery retailers in the United States of America that accepts food stamps, or SNAP benefits as a form of payment at all its authorized store locations is known as Target. Target customers can use the EBT card to purchase groceries like fruits, vegetables, meat, whole wheat bread, cereals, canned fish grains, milk and juice.
Target Corporation is a famous American retail corporation that runs a chain of discount department stores as well as hypermarkets and is presently headquartered in Minneapolis MN. The retail provides a wide array of products such as clothing, designer, jewelry, football, accessories, food, beauty products, groceries, drinks, housewares, electronic appliances, baths, bedding, home décor, furniture, toys, books, movies, games, lawn and garden, music, pet supplies, hygiene products, health products, optical, gifts, pharmacy and snack bar. As of 2023, the corporation operates nearly 1948 stores throughout America.
Read also: Does Whole Foods Accept EBT? All You Need to Know
What Is The Target EBT Return Policy?
Target follows a standard 90-day return policy for all the purchases that customers make with their stores. EBT products are also covered by the 90-day return policy of this retailer. EBT cards will be refunded once you produce a receipt or you will get an identical item in exchange or store credit.
The retailer is not allowed to provide you cash funds on items that you have paid with your EBT card. If any product purchased from Target fails to satisfy you then you can get a refund by replacing it within the stipulated period. For this you have to return unused products and packaging to your local Target store manager. Also do not forget to read the warranty card or instruction manual to learn how you can make a warranty claim.
However edible food items and perishable products are non-returnable. The policy also applies to purchases that customers seek with their EBT. In addition to the EBT card Target accepts other payment methods like cash, debit or credit cards and users can choose any viable payment method that works best for them at the time of purchase.
SNAP recipients also look for: Does Winn Dixie Accept Food Stamps or EBT
Does Target Accept Food Stamps or EBT?
Yes, Target welcomes EBT or food stamps as a method of payment for the purchase of SNAP-eligible grocery items. Approximately 4500 items present in Target stores are SNAP-eligible. Target is one of the leading grocery stores with a loyal customer base due to its eye-catching products, welcoming layout and trendy products. This makes the grocery chain to be one of the favorite options among many.
As per YouGov ratings nearly 69% of citizens in the United States of America have considered Target to be their favorite shopping destination and this makes it one of the most popular department stores. Till 2021 Target had 1926 operating stores throughout America among which California is the state to have a maximum number of Target stores as nearly 307 Target stores are present in California.
Also read: Does H Mart Accept Food Stamp or EBT
What Can You Purchase With Your Food Stamps or EBT Card At Target?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps low-income families purchase nutritious and healthy food using their Electronic Benefits Transfer card. Target similar to any other grocery chain has to abide by the USDA rules. You can cover the following items using your EBT card when you go shopping with Target.
- Fruits and vegetables: All types of fresh, canned or frozen fruits and vegetables are allowed for EBT purchase.
- Milk and Dairy Products: All types of milk, yogurt, cheese and butter are eligible
- Meat, poultry and fish: This comprises all forms of meat such as pork, beef, turkey, chicken, fish and lamb
- Bread and cereals: All types of bread, crackers, cereals, pasta, oatmeal and rice are allowed
- 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.
- Baking ingredients. This includes flour, sugar eggs flavoring etc.
- Staple cooking ingredients: This includes herbs, seasoning and spices.
- Energy drinks: Specific energy drinks are allowed for purchase using an EBT card if they are labeled as Nutrition Facts.
- Seeds and Plants: SNAP participants can purchase plants and seeds to grow their produce.
Read also: What can you Shop Online With EBT?
What Can’t You Purchase With Your EBT Card At Target?
As per the USDA SNAP rules EBT credits can apply only for eligible food items and groceries and the transaction will not push if you purchase any unapproved items. The restrictions are in place to make sure government SNAP funds are used for human consumption.
You can contact your local SNAP agency in your state to learn how the EBT program works and when your card will be reloaded with credits. The following is the list of items that you cannot purchase at Target or any other grocery store using your EBT card:
- Hot Prepared Food: This includes food items that are ready for immediate consumption such as hot prepared meals and food from restaurants.
- Alcohol and Tobacco: EBT funds cannot be used to buy alcoholic beverages like wine, liquor, beer, cigarettes and any other tobacco products
- Health and Beauty: This includes cosmetics, medications, vitamins, hygiene products and supplements.
- Household Supplies: This includes non-food items like paper goods and cleaning products
- Pet Supplies: This includes pet food, bedding and toys
- Live animals (except fish and shellfish).
Making any unapproved SNAP purchase at Target or any other grocery store using your EBT card may result in your SNAP benefits termination. You also have to face severe consequences like a 3-month ban for first SNAP unapproved purchases, a year ban for the second unapproved purchase and a two-year ban for the third unapproved SNAP purchase.
Read also: Does ampm Take SNAP, EBT, or Food Stamps?
How To Use Your EBT Card At Target?
The payment process of using an EBT card or food stamp benefits to buy eligible groceries and food items at Target’s physical store is the same as using debit or credit cards at any other grocery store. You have to enter the four-digit PIN at the payment terminal and inform the cashier that you will be using benefits beforehand so that he or she can enter the eligible amount.
If your order is EBT eligible then the total bill will come to zero as the card will be charged for the order. To stop for EBT-ineligible items you have to use an alternate payment source like debit or credit card or cash. EBT card holders can follow the below-mentioned steps to purchase eligible items at Target physical stores.
- Proceed to the Target checkout counter
- Insert or swipe your EBT card at the counter on Target payment terminals and enter your PIN just like you enter any debit or credit card
- The Target system will deduct the EBT balance for the approved food items and the cashier will process your transaction.
Read also: Does Piggly Wiggly Accept Food Stamps, SNAP, or EBT?
Does Target Accept EBT or Food Stamps Online?
Yes, Target accepts EBT or SNAP payment options online. Shoppers can buy EBT-eligible grocery items and products on Target.com through the company’s delivery service known as Shipt. Customers need to create an account with Target.com without paying any fees to place an order with their food stamp benefits.
You have to use your EBT card at Target online checkout just like you use your debit or credit card and choose either the order pickup option or the same-day drive-up option without any additional cost. The same-day grocery delivery option comes with the cost of $9.99 which is available at Target.com whereas Shipt members can get free delivery on all orders for more than $35.
Does Starbucks In Target Accept EBT Payments?
Starbucks being a non-essential and luxury brand is not authorized as a SNAP retailer. In other words, you cannot use your EBT card or food stamp benefits at Starbucks. However Starbucks accepts EBT in some of its licensed stores that are located in retail stores or grocery stores.
Nearly 6300 licensed Starbucks stores are in America so you can use your EBT or food stamps in any one of the stores. It may be possible for you to use your EBT card if you visit one of these Starbucks store locations and purchase the SNAP-eligible item.
Following is the list of items that you can cover with your EBT card at Starbucks-licensed stores:
- Instant coffee
- Coffee beans
- Creamer
- Pumpkin bread
- Ground coffee
- Sandwiches
- Cold beverages
- Sweets
- Soft drinks
- Snacks
- Energy drinks
Any item that comes with a nutritional value apart from hot foods and drinks is considered eligible as per SNAP EBT rules. You need to make sure you do not purchase any prepared or hot food with your EBT card.
How To Use Your EBT Online With Target?
- Step 1. The first and foremost step is to sign into your Target.com account, find the payment section and add your EBT card details to the account
- Step 2. The next step is to shop for goods, binge your cart and check out with EBT-eligible items
- Step 3. The next step is to select your EBT as a desired payment method and enter the four-digit PIN to confirm the order.
What Other Payment Methods Does Target Accept?
Target stores accept multiple payments in-store along with EBT and this includes the following option:
- Cash
- Target mobile app
- Target RedCard
- Target temporary slips
- Major credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover
- HSA or FSA cards for HSA or FSA-eligible items only
- WIC vouchers in authorized store locations only
- Debit or ATM cards either US issued or Canadian issued
- Personal checks
- Merchandise voucher
- Gift cards
- Contactless pay
- Mobile payments such as Google Pay, Samsung Pay or Apple Pay
- Rebate Check
- Campus cash in a few authorized stores
- Alipay in authorized Target stores
A couple of payments that Target is not accepting presently are as follows:
- Money orders
- Business checks
- Mall certificates as well as chamber bucks
- Foreign checks and currency
- Merchant gift card for stores other than Target.
Also read: Does Baskin-Robbins Take EBT, SNAP, or Food Stamps?
Which Other Retailers Apart From Target Accept EBT?
If you do not have a Target store in your local area then do not lose hope as there are major retailers and grocery stores that are accepting EBT online and allow SNAP recipients to use their EBT cards for grocery delivery and pickup. In this section, we will cover some of the platforms where you can use your EBT card to purchase SNAP-eligible goods online.
Amazon
Groceries on Amazon as well as Amazon Fresh- the Amazon’s grocery delivery and pickup service is now accepting EBT cards throughout the country. Amazon Prime members get free shopping on their orders with Amazon.com.
If you’re not a Prime member then you can obtain free delivery if your order exceeds $35 or more for eligible items or else you have to pay a small delivery charge. It is critical to note that you cannot cover the shipping or delivery cost with your EBT card. Amazon Fresh is available in select cities and it comes with a cost of $6.95 to $9.95 for orders below $100.
Walmart
Similar to Target, Walmart also accepts SNAP or EBT card payments for online grocery delivery and pickup. This option is available in all 50 U.S. states. Customers need to place an order by visiting the official Walmart website or by downloading the Walmart app and creating an account.
You can get free curbside pickup service for orders above $35 or else you have to pay a small pickup fee. The fees may differ for EBT grocery delivery depending on whether you are choosing express delivery or regular delivery. You can buy only eligible food items with your EBT card at Walmart and this does not include delivery fees or pickup costs.
DoorDash
The latest app-based delivery service known as DoorDash accommodates snap payments and works similarly to Amazon, Instacart, Walmart and Target. SNAP recipients can use their EBT card online with DoorDash to pay for grocery delivery as well as pick up.
To use your SNAP benefits with this platform you need to create an account and add your EBT card details to the account. You need to look for products and stores featuring SNAP labels while shopping with the DoorDash website or app.
Instacart
Instacart is another popular online grocery delivery service where you can buy SNAP-eligible groceries and products from your favorite retailers for delivery or pick up.
Instead, the card is available in all 50 U.S. states and on getting Instacart + membership you can receive discounts on your orders. Instacart provides online grocery delivery through the following SNAP retailers:
ALDI, Price Rite, Stop & Shop, Price Chopper, Hannaford Supermarket and Market 32.
ALDI
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.
Additional Retailers That Take EBT Online
- Albertsons
- H-E-B
- Hy-Vee
- Costco
- City Market
- Family Food Stores
- Foodland
- Food Lion
- Safeway
- Stop & Shop
- ShopRite
- Costco
- Sam’s Club
- Big Y Foods
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Friendly Foods
- Harris Teeter
- Hometown Foods
- Jubilee Food
- Market Basket
- Piggly Wiggly
- Publix
- Sam’s Club
- Kroger
- H Mart
- Walgreen
- CVS
- Rite Aid
- Speedway
- All Stores
- Dollar Tree
We hope this article has been informative enough to give you all the details you need regarding Target and EBT. You can learn more about the government grants and financial assistance program at the Get Government Grants’ blog section today.
Conclusion
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. Target customers can make food orders through the delivery service arm of the company Shipt and pay with food stamps. By accepting EBT Target enables low-income Americans to shop for necessary groceries and food products at affordable costs. Our guide has also provided a list of alternate grocery stores and retailers that accept EBT cards at stores or online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use My EBT Card At Target Mini Stores?
There are certain limitations on your use of EBT cards at Target mini stores for instance CVS Health centers, apple stands, opticians and Starbucks. You cannot use an EBT card for purchasing pharmaceuticals, electronics or optical support. However, some SNAP packages can allow you to buy cakes and coffee at Starbucks mini stores.
Does Target Accept Food Stamps At Self Checkout?
Yes, you can use your food stamps or EBT card on the self-checkout at Target. It is easier compared to going to a regular checkout since the computer will automatically apply the best discounts on SNAP-eligible food items on scanning. So you need not separate the EBT-eligible and non-eligible food items.
