What Can You Shop Online With EBT Free Delivery? – The predicted annual food insecurity rate in the United States, defined as lack of access to adequate food for a healthy lifestyle, has risen by 4.1% among adults and 4.9% for poor children since 2018 according to a 2020 report from Feeding America. Fortunately, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has been designed to reduce food insecurity among Americans and enable them to stretch their food budget every month.
But what if shopping with EBT for in-store purchases or getting to the grocery store to buy EBT-eligible items is a challenge? SNAP allows people who find shopping trips challenging due to limited mobility, old age or lack of access to suitable transportation to use their EBT card online for grocery delivery and pickup. In this guide, we will help you explore what you can shop online with EBT and what are the major retailers, wholesale retailers, grocery stores and food delivery apps that accept SNAP/ EBT payments online for grocery delivery and pickup.
Highlights of this Post
Key Takeaway
- Shop online for groceries with EBT: USDA’s pilot program allows SNAP recipients to use EBT cards at many stores for online grocery pickup or delivery.
- Eligible food items only: SNAP benefits can only be used to purchase approved groceries like fruits, vegetables, and meat.
- Separate payment for fees: Delivery fees, service charges, and taxes need to be paid with a debit/credit card as EBT doesn’t cover them.
- Wide variety of stores: Major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Kroger accept EBT for online grocery orders.
What Is the USDA Online Purchasing Pilot Program?
The USDA Online Purchasing Pilot Program is a new initiative that has been launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. With more American households claiming food assistance amid the pandemic, a lot of stores and states enable SNAP recipients to use the benefits for purchasing groceries online for pickup or delivery.
However, before 2020 EBT was not available as a payment option online. Today participants in SNAP can pay in-store at major grocery chains including online platforms and convenience stores like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods to pay for their ordered items online.
Thanks to the continued expansion of the Online Purchasing Pilot Program by USDA around 48 states in America including the District of Columbia that enables SNAP recipients to use their EBT card to get free food from the government. As of March 2020, only Montana and Alaska are not enrolled in the Online Pilot Program. Online shopping with EBT is a great way that not only saves time but also ensures your order gets delivered to your doorstep without needing to set foot in any physical store.
SNAP recipients also want to know: Does Wawa Accept SNAP, EBT, or Food Stamps?
What Are The Items That You Can Shop Online With Your EBT Card?
EBT card holders can pay for all the products online using SNAP benefits. However, it is critical to note that they can use the food stamps only for paying for eligible items such as the following:
- Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen or canned)
- Cooking oil such as vegetable or olive oil
- Poultry products like eggs and chicken
- Dairy products like almond milk, cheese, milk, butter
- Seafood like fish, lobster, shellfish
- Red meat like ribs, steak, ground beef,
- Bread and cereals such as tortillas, rice, bagels, pasta, oatmeal, pita bread, rye bread
- Desert such as cookies, brownies, ice cream
- Snack items including cold sandwiches, candy, chips, snack crackers
- Non-alcoholic beverages and energy drinks
- Pork products like tenderloin, bacon, sausages, chops
- Seeds and plants to produce food
People also look for: Does Winn Dixie Accept Food Stamps or EBT
What Are The Items That You Cannot Buy Using Your EBT Card Online?
SNAP benefits are designed so that low-income households can get staple food including non-alcoholic drinks that they can prepare themselves at home. However, it is important to note that a few items are not covered by EBT. These are as follows:
- Vitamins, medicines and supplements
- Alcoholic products like wine, beer, liquor
- Cigarettes or tobacco products
- Live animals (except fish and shellfish)
- Foods that are served hot at the time of sale such as restaurant food
- Non-food items like cleaning supplies, paper products, cosmetics, hygiene items, pet food etc.
How To Use EBT Cards For Online Grocery Shopping?
The rules and guidelines for using food stamp benefits or EBT cards online may vary depending on the retailer you choose. For instance, while shopping on Amazon you have to add your EBT card and shop for the eligible groceries. While checking out you need to enter your 4-digit PIN to pay for the approved purchases.
Similarly for Walmart pickup, you need to order groceries or food items online or through the Walmart grocery mobile application. At the time of checker, you have to select EBT as your method of payment and use a portable card reader to swipe your EBT card once you arrive at your pickup location. Candidates can also include and approve items from the stores but for that, they have to use alternate sources of payment such as a debit or credit card.
Read also: Does H Mart Accept Food Stamp or EBT
Stores That Accept EBT Online Delivery
DoorDash
The latest app based delivery service that accepts EBT payments is DoorDash. Similar to Amazon, Instacart, Walmart and Target DoorDash enable SNAP recipients to use their EBT card for online grocery delivery and pickup.
For this, you have to create a DoorDash account and add your EBT information to the account. While shopping with the DoorDash website or app look for products and stores featuring SNAP labels. DoorDash provides snap recipients 2 free months of DashPass that normally comes at a rate of $9.99 per month
ALDI
ALDI has partnered with Instacart for delivery and offers curbside pickup to EBT card holders. For this, you need to become an ALDI customer first and create an account to shop online.
Online Delivery (In Partnership With Instacart)
ALDI offers online delivery in partnership with Instacart. Instacart provides express membership for a cost of $99 annually. It also provides free delivery for orders that exceed the $35 limit with low service fees. You need not become a member to order, however you have to pay the delivery fees.
Delivery fees that apply cost up to $3.99 per order with a 5% service fee and are available at all ALDI stores.
Amazon
Amazon is another platform that allows all EBT cardholders to shop online and get them delivered to their doorstep. Customers need not become an Amazon Prime member to shop with Amazon.
Depending on the type of food you need and whether you want to purchase quantity in bulk Amazon provides three options such as the following.
- Amazon Core Groceries: Allows you to buy bulk non-perishable items with free shopping if you spend more than $25 on your order and are available statewide.
- Amazon Pantry: Allows EBT cardholders to buy individual non-perishable food with free shopping if they can spend around $35 on their order and is available statewide.
- Amazon Fresh: Allows customers to buy non-perishable and perishable goods such as dairy, produce or meat with a free shopping facility if they spend more than $35 on their order. However, there is limited availability of Amazon Fresh
Dave’s Supermarket
EBT card holders can order groceries online for pick up from the Dave’s Supermarket through their official website. However delivery is not yet available on Dave’s Supermarket while placing online orders.
Online Pick Up
You need to pay a pickup fee of $4.95 on placing online orders with no minimum order amount. This facility is available at Dave’s supermarket located in Fairbury IL. Membership is also not required if you want to order goods online for pick up with Dave’s supermarket. You just need to create an account with the store to be eligible to make an online purchase with no fees associated.
Walmart
Walmart is another big online platform that enables EBT cardholders to order online groceries and pick them up at the store. Few stores also provide delivery options.
Walmart Plus membership costs $98 annually and provides free online delivery for orders more than $35. You would not become a member to make online purchases however you have to pay the delivery fees.
Online Pick Up
Online Pick-up option is available for non-perishable and perishable goods with no service fees for a minimum order of $30 and is available at most Walmart stores.
Online Delivery
Online delivery option is available for non-perishable and perishable items and the delivery cost ranges between $7.95 to $9.95 with no service fees or minimum order requirement. This is available in most communities however not in every store.
Local Market
SNAP recipients can place online orders through its partnership with Instacart from the local market. Both home delivery and curbside options are available while placing online orders through Instacart. The Express membership Instacart costs $99 annually or $9.99 per month. You can get free delivery for orders more than $35 with reduced service fees.
Online Delivery (In Partnership With Instacart)
The Local Market offers perishable and non-perishable goods to SNAP recipients. The delivery cost starts from $3.99 for same-day orders of more than $35. The fees may vary for club store deliveries, one-hour deliveries or deliveries below $35.
The order should be a minimum of $10 before making it eligible for online delivery. The service fees usually cost $3 depending on various factors like your location, and the number and type of food that you are placing in your cart.
Meijer
Meijer allows several recipients to order groceries online for delivery via a partnership with Instacart. You need to become an Instacart member first and create an account to enjoy this facility. Instacart provides express membership for $99 annually. They offer free delivery for orders more than $35 with low service fees.
Online Delivery (In Partnership With Instacart)
You can buy perishable and non-perishable goods using your EBT card. The delivery starts from $3.99 for same-day orders of more than $35. The fees can vary depending on whether you choose club store delivery or delivery deliveries below $35.
You need to ensure you make a minimum of $10 before placing an online delivery. The service fees cost $3 and the price varies depending on your location and the type and number of items in your cart. The online delivery option through Instacart is available and select communities only.
Metropolis Big John Grocery
Metropolis Big John Grocery allows SNAP recipients to order online groceries for pickup through the Big John grocery website. Delivery is yet not available while placing online orders. Membership with Big John Grocery is not required to place an online order however you have to create an account with the grocery to make a purchase.
Online Pickup
Metropolis Big John Grocery requires a pickup fee of $4.99 that can be waived in some promotional periods. With no minimum order amount this online pickup option is available at Big John Grocery situated in Metropolis IL.
Sam’s Club
SNAP EBT is accepted as a method of payment at all Sam’s Club locations. You can Sam’s Club Scan and Go to get a streamlined shopping experience or place online orders for curbside pickup. The club membership is $45 per year while the plus membership is $100 annually. You need to be a member of Sam’s Club to use your EBT card. However, you cannot pay delivery fees using your SNAP EBT card.
Sam’s Club Scan And Go
You need to download the Sam’s Club app to use your EBT card. Scan the items through the application on your phone and be on your phone and place an order for pickup. Delivery is available for in-store only and not for curbside pickup.
SCHNUCKS
EBT cardholders can place online orders from SCHNUCKS that are partnered with Instacart. Both home delivery and curbside pickup options are available while placing an order through Instacart.
The online orders can be placed through the SCHNUCKS Rewards mobile app or web browser. Instacart provides express membership for $99 every year or $9.99 per month. It offers free delivery for orders more than $35 with low service fees.
Online Delivery (In Partnership With Instacart)
The store offers perishable and non-perishable goods and the starting delivery cost is $3.99 for same-day orders of more than $35. The fees can vary depending on whether you choose club store delivery or delivery deliveries below $35. You need to ensure you make a minimum of $10 pay for placing an online delivery. This is available in limited stores and the service fee starts from $3.
Supermercados El Guero
You can order groceries online and pick them up at the store from Supermercados El Guero. For this, you have to create an account with the supermarket and place online delivery. Membership is not required for making online deliveries however you have to create an account with the supermarket to place online orders without paying any fees.
Online Pickup
The supermarket provides perishable and non-perishable goods and the pickup fees start from $5.99 per order. The facilities are available at limited locations however there is no order minimum for online orders.
Whole Foods
Whole Foods allows EBT cardholders to purchase groceries online for pickup or delivery through a partnership with Amazon. You need not buy Amazon Prime membership online groceries from Whole Foods. However you have to make an Amazon account to place an order.
Online Pickup Or Delivery
Online delivery or pick-up orders come with a service fee of $9.95 and a grocery pickup is completely free on orders more than $35. It is available in most communities with no minimum order requirement.
Woodman’s Market
Woodman’s Market has partnered with Instacart to enable SNAP recipients to order groceries online for delivery. For this, you have to create an account and become an Instacart member.
However curbside pickup option is not available currently. Instacart provides express membership for $99 every year or $9.99 per month. You can get free delivery for orders more than $35 with low service fees.
Online Delivery Option (In Partnership With Instacart)
Woodman’s Market provides non-perishable and perishable goods and the delivery cost starts from $3.99 for the same orders of at least $35 or more. The fees may vary for club store deliveries, one-hour deliveries or deliveries under $35. Every order should be at least $10 to be eligible for online delivery. The service fee starts from $3 and the price may vary depending on the location and the type and number of items in your cart.
Additional Chains That Accept EBT Payments
Here take a look at a few more grocery stores or retailers that are accepting SNAP EBT cards as a means of payment for online orders. It is important to keep in mind that certain individual locations may not participate in SNAP Online EBT Program even if the grocery chain does so you need to confirm with your local store before placing an order.
Large National/Regional Chains Offer ebt online shopping free delivery
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Food Lion
- Kroger
- Publix
- Safeway/Albertsons/Vons
- ShopRite
- Stop & Shop
- Hy-Vee
- H-E-B
Smaller Chains Offer ebt online shopping free delivery
- 7-Eleven
- A&J Market
- Brookshire’s/Super 1 Foods/Spring Market
- Butchers Market
- Buche Foods
- The Cameron Market/Sliced Bread Market/Sweet Springs Market
- Capri IGA
- Carli C’s IGA
- City Market
- Compare Foods
- County Market
- (Doc’s) Country Mart/Apple Market
- Country Mart
- Daily Table
- Earth Fare
- Fairplay Foods
- FireLake Discount Foods
- Food 4 Less/Rancho San Miguel Markets
- Food Bazaar
- FreshDirect
- The Fresh Grocer
- Giant Eagle
- Giant Food
- Hannaford Supermarkets
- Harps Food Store
- Hays Supermarket
- H.G. Hill Food Store
- Homeland Food Stores/United Supermarkets/Cash Saver
- Hugo’s Family Marketplace
- Joe V’s Smart Shop
- Little Giant Farmers Market
- Manhattan Fruit Market
- Marino’s Market
- Martin’s Super Markets
- Mt. Plymouth Fresh Market
- New Pioneer Food Co-op
- Piggly Wiggly
- Ptacek’s IGA
- Price Cutter
- Price Rite
- Reasor’s
- Roth’s Fresh Markets
- Save Mart
- Schnucks/Eatwell
- Sooner Foods
- St. Mary’s Galaxy Food Center
- Strack & Van Til
- Super Foodtown
- Superfoods
- Tops Friendly Markets
- Town & Country Market
- Warehouse Market
- Weis Markets
- Wright’s Market
Conclusion
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 online food and grocery shopping has become the norm in America with millions of households benefiting from USDA’s attempt to enable more stores to accept online EBT benefits. Thanks to the implementation of the expanded Online EBT Purchasing Pilot Program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition service, SNAP recipients who depend on EBT benefits have no shortage of grocery stores or convenience markets to choose from. There are major grocery chains or stores that accept EBT cards for both in-store and online purchases. However, it is critical to know that you can make only SNAP eligible purchases with your EBT card and access quality nutritional food products.
We hope this article has been informative enough to give you all the details you need regarding EBT. You can learn more about the government grants and financial assistance program at the Get Government Grants’ blog section today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need To Have An Account To Use SNAP/ EBT For Online Grocery Orders?
Yes, SNAP recipients have to create an account with the grocery chain they are considering to use their EBT card and order groceries online. It is critical to know that you must use an alternate source of payment such as a debit or credit card for driver tip, pickup delivery fees, service charges, taxes etc. as these expenses are not covered by your EBT.
Are There Stores That Accept EBT Payments Online?
With online food and grocery shopping gaining more popularity a lot of retailers and big brands have started accepting EBT or SNAP benefits online including Amazon, Target, Walmart etc.
Can I Pay For Delivery Using EBT Funds?
Unfortunately, No! SNAP or EBT funds can’t be used for grocery deliveries and other service charges or delivery fees. In such cases, you have to use an alternate source of payment like a debit or credit card to cover the expenses.
