What Stores Take EBT On Instacart? – Wondering which stores accept food stamps or EBT on Instacart? Instacart has collaborated with a variety of retailers and grocery stores to make it convenient and easier for SNAP recipients to shop online with their EBT card. With the added convenience and flexibility of the Instacart platform, you can use your food stamp benefits to buy SNAP-eligible groceries and food items from the comfort of your own home. In this comprehensive guide, we will help you take a closer look at the stores or places where you can use your EBT or food stamps on Instacart.
Highlights of this Post
Key Takeaways
- SNAP recipients can use EBT cards on Instacart to purchase groceries online.
- Instacart accepts EBT in select states and at participating stores only.
- Delivery fees, taxes, and non-SNAP-eligible items cannot be paid for with EBT.
- Popular stores accepting EBT on Instacart include Aldi, Publix, Price Chopper, and more.
- Check your state’s SNAP participation and Instacart’s partner stores before shopping.
Can I Use an EBT Card Or Food Stamps On Instacart?
Yes, Instacart accepts Electronic Benefits Transfers or EBT payments from SNAP beneficiaries as a part of the USDA Online Pilot Program. Instacart is accepting EBT in select locations and with specific retailers only. There are also limitations based on the location and the participating retailers about the type of food or beverages that you can purchase on the Instacart platform with your EBT card.
SNAP recipients throughout the country except Alaska can pay for online grocery orders comprising eligible items with a valid and current EBT in part or in full from participating stores. EBT cardholders can shop at any participating store so long as the state that issued their SNAP benefits card is also participating in the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot Program.
Who Is Eligible To Use EBT On Instacart?
The online delivery platform Instacart is part of the pilot program run and administered by the United States Department of Agriculture or USDA. As a result, Instacart can accept SNAP benefits online from beneficiaries. Presently customers who have a valid EBT SNAP card in all states use their SNAP benefits on Instacart at authorized retailers who are collaborating with Instacart.
To know more details about the SNAP eligibility you can visit the USDA’ Food and Nutrition Service website. If you’re not able to see SNAP EBT as an option at your local store ensure you have the latest version of the Instacart app. To use your EBT card you need to add the card information as a payment method within your account settings. A separate debit or credit card is required to be linked to an Instacart account to cover bottle deposits, fees, taxes, delivery chips or non-edible items as per federal regulation.
Do you know which retailers in California accept EBT payments? Head over to our next guide to learn about the comprehensive list.
What Stores Accept EBT With Instacart?
Following is the list of retailers that accept EBT or food stamps on Instacart.
ALDI
A great resource for families who are looking for affordable food assistance is already. SNAP recipients can shop with Aldi with their EBT benefits and order online through Instacart. ALDI is accepting EBT in the following U.S. states.
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Food Lion
One more popular grocery store to shop for reliable goods and beverages is Food Lion. However, Food Lion has limited acceptance of the SNAP EBT program. To use your food stamp benefits with Instacart at Food Lion you need to be a resident of any one of the following states:
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia.
Save Mart, Lucky Supermarket and FoodMaxx
If you’re living in California then you can use your food stamps or EBT card at Lucky Supermarket chains like Food Max and Save Mart. You can order groceries and SNAP eligible food items on Instacart using your EBT balance within California.
California is currently the only state that is accepting EBT at Lucky Supermarkets, Food Max and Save Mart using Instacart. If you’re ordering from these respective stores from other states you will be charged through a regular credit or debit card.
BJ’s Wholesale Club
BJ’s Wholesale Club has started accepting EBT payments online from SNAP recipients by collaborating with Instacart. Customers of the popular club retailer can use EBT as a payment method at Instacart apps or websites and get their delivery in less than an hour.
The acceptance of EBT online through Instacart is a big move by BJ’s Wholesale Club and it is the first club retailer to take EBT benefits from Instacart customers. The program covers all of BJ’s 238 locations in 19 states.
Market 32
A go-to shopping destination which is known as a popular East Coast supermarket in America is Market 32. The store is accepting EBT through Instacart in the following states to cater to SNAP recipients:
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- Pennsylvania
- Vermont
- New York
Publix
Being a Florida staple Publix is a well-known place to shop for low-cost food items and groceries. You can shop for eligible items from Publix with your EBT card and get them delivered through Instacart from the following states.
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
Price Chopper
Another supermarket that is a go-to place for EBT cardholders who are living on the East Coast is Price Chopper. You can use your EBT card to shop with Price Chopper and get your order delivered through Instacart. Instacart has partnered with Price Chopper and accepts EBT in these states.
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- Pennsylvania
- New York
- Vermont
Stop & Shop
Stop and Shop is a popular grocery store that accepts EBT from SNAP recipients. EBT recipients can use SNAP funds in the following states: Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey and New Hampshire.
They are accepting EBT payment online as an integral part of its commitment to serve the communities. Stop & Shop has collaborated with Instacart and you can order groceries online from Stop & Shop 400+ stores to get your order delivered through Instacart.
Tony’s Fresh Market
Tony’s Fresh Market is one more grocery chain that serves local communities and customers by accepting SNAP payments online through Instacart delivery and pick-up orders. You can use EBT to pay for groceries online using the Instacart pickup or delivery shopping option.
For this you just need to create an account or sign in to or Instacart website or app and select Tony Fresh Market location. Simply shop for EBT-eligible goods and pay with EBT during checkout. You will get an order confirmation email from Instacart confirming the grocery delivery for pickup or delivery.
Tony’s Fresh Market is accepting EBT SNAP as a payment option online only through Instacart pickup and delivery options in the following locations: Berwyn, Bolingbrook, Burbank, Countryside, Glendale Heights, Hanover Park, Joliet, Lincoln Ave, Niles, Plainfield, Prospect Heights, Round Lake Beach, and Schaumburg.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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. The online delivery option through Instacart is available and select communities only.
Tops Friendly Market
Tops Friendly Market has collaborated with Instacart to allow SNAP recipients to use their EBT benefits for purchasing groceries online. The chain has begun accepting EBT for Instacart online grocery orders at most New York stores with plans to expand in other states in the future.
SNAP recipients can use EBT at 126 New York locations where Tops Friendly Market has collaborated with Instacart’s same day delivery and pickup services. To use EBT services EBT customers need to open the Instacart app, add the zip code, select the local store and start shopping for eligible groceries, fresh food and daily essential products with their EBT card.
What Can I Purchase With My EBT Card On Instacart?
Following is a list of products that you can purchase with your EBT card on Instacart:
- 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.
You can also read about whether the popular grocery chain Vons accepts EBT or not in our next guide.
What Can’t I Purchase With An EBT Card On Instacart?
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. The following is the list of items that you cannot purchase from any grocery store through Instacart using your EBT card:
- 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.
- Hot Prepared Food: This includes food items that are ready for immediate consumption such as hot prepared meals and food from restaurants.
- 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).
If you want to add non-eligible goods along with EBT-eligible items in your shopping cart you need to purchase them separately with another SNAP benefit at the end of the transaction if you want to get them delivered along with your EBT card by Instacart. SNAP recipients must ensure the following critical points to use their EBT account and make purchases through Instacart.
- Ensure your state is participating in the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot Program
- Instacart is not accepting EBT cash as a means of payment.
- Make sure your EBT card details are valid and current.
- Link your EBT card to your Instacart account.
- Make sure you are purchasing EBT-eligible goods with your food stamp benefits through Instacart.
You can also read about whether the popular delivery service Grubhub accepts EBT or not in our next guide.
How Can I Add My EBT Card To An Instacart Account?
Adding food stamp benefits or EBT cards to your account on Instacart is a simple and pretty straightforward process. You can follow the below-mentioned instructions to link your EBT account.
- Go to ‘Account’ settings on the Instacart web page.
- Click ‘Payment Methods’
- Locate the ‘SNAP EBT card’ and select the ‘Add’ option
- Enter your food stamps or EBT card details along with the card number in the appropriate fields.
- Choose the ‘Save’ option and once you finish the process you can do your shopping with Instacart from your preferred store.
If you have groceries but have no money then read our next guide to learn more insights.
How To Check Out With My EBT Card On Instacart?
Checking out with an EBT card or food stamps on Instacart is a straightforward process similar to shopping with your regular debit or credit card. Before beginning you need to ensure you have connected your EBT card to your Instacart account and then follow the below-mentioned steps.
- Enter your EBT or credit card details in addition to your address. The debit or credit card will be a secondary source of payment to cover the service charges, delivery fees and taxes.
- Enter your EBT card information in the appropriate field.
- Use the Edit feature to modify the amount you want to apply to your food stamp benefits card.
- If you have placed the correct information click or tap the ‘Confirm Payment Method’
- Go to the Place Order page and ensure all the details along with your order are correct.
- Click or tap ‘Place Order’ if the information is correct. Once the order goes through successfully you can enter the four-digit secret PIN to authorize the transaction.
Get a comprehensive list of SNAP-eligible goods and grocery stores that accept EBT payments online in our next guide.
Can I Cover The Instacart Delivery Fees With My EBT Card?
SNAP recipients who want to use their EBT card with Instacart and shop with any one of the aforementioned stores must add a credit card on file. You cannot cover the delivery fees, taxes, service charges or even membership costs with your EBT card. The secondary source of payment that you add will cover all the fees, taxes, delivery tips, non-eligible EBT items, bottle deposits and service charges. The SNAP benefits can be used only for eligible food and beverages.
Want to add your newborn to food stamps? Know the process in detail in our next blog.
Things To Consider Before Shopping With EBT On Instacart
Availability By Location
It is critical to note that EBT acceptance on Instacart may vary depending on your state of residence. Not all states throughout the country are accepting EBT or food stamps through Instacart. Therefore it is recommended to check the food stamp acceptance policy in your area before placing an order.
Make Sure To Purchase From Partnered Stores
To use your EBT card on Instacart you have to shop from any partner stores of the platform that allows recipients to shop for groceries online. These stores are Publix, Price Chopper, Market 32, Save Mart, Lucky Supermarket, Food Max, Food Lion and ALDI.
Check EBT Items Eligibility
While using your EBT card to pay for eligible food items and beverages through Instacart there are certain limitations or restrictions which you need to follow. EBT benefits cannot be used to pay for delivery fees or service charges. Moreover, EBT cards cannot be used to buy non-food items like household supplies, alcohol, pet supplies and so on.
Payment Process
While placing an order on Instacart make sure you are using EBT as the primary source of payment and use it at checkout. You’ll be prompted to enter the EBT card information including the PIN and card number. Verify the total amount of your order to ensure it doesn’t exceed the balance on your food stamp benefits card.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the popular online platform Instacart has made it easy and convenient for SNAP recipients to shop for food and groceries online by collaborating with various grocery stores and retailers that take EBT payments. By understanding the grocery stores that are a part of the program, knowing the eligibility of EBT items, checking the availability of the stores in your location and other pertaining details you can make the most of your EBT benefits on Instacart. Getting to the grocery store every day and shopping in-person becomes a challenge for those with old age, disability, transportation barriers or limited mobility. You can use your EBT card for online grocery delivery or pickup with Instacart. Being one of the biggest grocery chains in the United States of America, Instacart accepts payments from SNAP recipients and helps them purchase food items and groceries at participating locations.
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