Does Target Accept EBT?

Yes, Target accepts EBT across all its stores – whether online or walk-in.
Target is a retail outlet that works with SNAP to provide affordable groceries for low-income citizens.

Following the SNAP mandate by the US government, low-income citizens are offered EBT cards/payment methods containing a specified amount of credits which they can spend on SNAP-authorized outlets. Since its launch in 2004, the US has been able to use this method to help low-income individuals and families to help purchase groceries or at least spend less than they normally would on food products.

There are a couple of groceries stores that accept EBT payment methods/cards as a means of purchasing their products. One such popular store is Target – which we will be looking at in the article.

Yes, Target recognizes EBT as a valid form of payment in all its stores across the US. There are over 1,900 target outlets all over the US and all have systems to accept EBT as payment provided the items are eligible to be paid for through EBT.

Items that are eligible to be purchased with EBT are SNAP-eligible; eligibility for groceries differs by state policies.

Related: Does Target Accept Google Pay?

What can I Purchase with an EBT Card at Target?

Being somewhat of a relief package, the SNAP program limits the extent to which EBT cards can be used to purchase goods. The primary focus is turned to essentials like food, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Items that are EBT-eligible are usually labeled in target stores to save you a lot of hassle. Here are some items you can purchase with your EBT card in Target stores.

Packaged food products like bread, cereals, and chips.
Dairy products, fruits, and vegetables.
Meat, fish, and poultry products.
Non-alcoholic beverages, and baby formula.
Seeds to plant and grow your food if you can.

Things that you can’t purchase with an EBT Card at Target

The SNAP mandate wasn’t created to allow EBT owners to purchase luxury, as such, there’s a limit to what’s purchasable using an EBT card. These typically include all items that an individual can do without; things that are neither nutritious nor necessary for day-to-day living.

All types of alcohol, be it beer or wine.
Non-food grocery items like cosmetics, cleaning, and hygiene supplies
Medicines and supplements, including those which provide nutritional or vitamin aid.
All types of fast food that’s bought while hot
Live animals for petting or raring. Only dead and preserved animals like fish are allowed.

How to use EBT in Target Stores

There are broadly two ways to use EBT at Target stores. Each way depends on your checkout method or the medium used to purchase from any target outlet or online platform.

1. Using EBT Cards to Pay at Target Stores

Complete your shopping and take your goods to the checkout counter.
Next, you want to separate EBT-eligible items from others.
The cashier on duty will swipe your EBT card over the POS terminal and you’ll authorize it with your card PIN.
The cashier verifies the payable amount by making it known to you, completes the transaction, and hands the receipt over.

2. Using EBT to Pay on Target Instacart

While the process is fairly straightforward if you’ve been using Instacart for a while, we’ll assume it’s your first time shopping at Target through the Instacart services app.

Download the Target Instacart services app and sign up for an account.
Enter your EBT card then start shopping.
Store items are categorized into themes so you want to you the search bar to find what you’re looking for.
When done shopping, locate the checkout button at the bottom. To use an EBT card for purchases, you want to be spending a minimum of $35.

Other Payment Methods you can use to Shop Online with Target

Target is one of the biggest retail shopping outlets in the US. Thus, it’s normal to expect that they accept a variety of payment methods to meet the needs of their vast category of customers. Here is a list of payment methods that the store currently offers.

Target RedCard – dedicated Target Debit Card, Credit Card, or Mastercard.
Third-party debit and credit cards – cards like American Express Discover/Novus, Mastercard, Visa, TargetPCard, Corporate purchasing cards, credit cards from foreign banks, and all debit cards connected with Visa or Mastercard.
Target GiftCards – Target eGiftCards and mobile Target GiftCards.
Third-party gift cards – from American Express, Discover, Visa, and Mastercard.
Apple Pay

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