List of Stores that Accept EBT Cards (Food Stamps/ SNAP Benefits)

The government food aid program SNAP (Supplementary Nutritional Assistance Program) helps many low-income families pay for food items. The SNAP benefits are paid monthly into an electronic benefits transfer account (EBT) and this in turn can be used for payment of SNAP-eligible items with the aid of an EBT card.

As a new SNAP beneficiary figuring your way around the EBT card usage, it might not be clear which stores accept EBT payments. Some stores have signs by the door, but not all of them do. This article has a detailed list of stores that accept EBT card payments.

List of Stores that Accept EBT Cards

Most grocery stores are registered with SNAP and accept EBT cards as a means of payment for both online and in-store purchases. Here is a list of these stores that take EBT:

1. A&J Select Market
2. Albertsons
3. Aldi
4. Amazon
5. Amazon
6. Apple Market
7. Basha’s (Food City)
8. BJ’s Wholesale Club
9. Bratcher’s Market
10. Brookshire’s Food and Pharmacy
11. Brothers Marketplace
12. Marketplace
13. Broulim’s
14. Buche Foods
15. Buehler’s Fresh Foods
16. Burkholder’s Market
17. Cameron Market
18. Capri IGA
19. Cardenas Markets
20. Carlie C’s
21. Cartwheel RI
22. Cash Saver
23. Compare Foods
24. Costco
25. Cottman Food Market
26. Country Mart
27. Daily Table
28. Dan’s Fresh Market
29. Dash’s Market
30. Dave’s Supermarket, Inc. DBA Dave’s Supermarket
31. Davis Food and Drug
32. Deep Roots Market
33. Dick’s Fresh Market
34. Dillons
35. Dollar General
36. Earth Fare
37. Eddie’s Country Store
38. Ernie’s Food Market
39. ExtraMile by Jacksons
40. Fairplay Foods
41. FavTrip Independence
42. FavTrip KCMO
43. Ferreira Foodtown
44. FireLake Discount Foods
45. Food 4 Less
46. Food Bazaar
47. Food Circus Super Markets, Inc. DBA Super
48. Foodtown
49. Food City
50. Food Lion
51. FoodMaxx
52. Foodtown
53. Foodtown-Freshtown
54. FRESH by Brookshire’s
55. FreshDirect
56. Freshfields Farm
57. Froogel’s
58. Garden Fresh Market
59. Geissler’s Supermarket
60. Geresbeck’s Food Market
61. Giant Eagle
62. Giant of Maryland
63. Gong’s IGA Market
64. Gourmet Garage
65. Greer’s Cash Saver
66. H.G. Hill Foods Store
67. Hannaford
68. Harps Food Stores
69. Harts Local Grocers
70. H-E-B
71. Hitchcock’s Markets
72. Hometown Market of Limestone County
73. Hornbacher’s
74. Hub on the Hill
75. Hugo’s Family Marketplace
76. Jacksons Food Stores
77. JC’s Market and Food Kitchen
78. Jewel Osco
79. Joe V’s Smart Shop
80. Just Dash It
81. Kroger
82. Lewis Food Town
83. Lin’s Fresh Market
84. Lou Perrine’s Gas and Grocery
85. Lucky Supermarkets
86. Lucky’s
87. Macey’s
88. Mackenthun’s Fine Foods
89. Manhattan Fruit Market
90. Manito Super 1 Foods, Inc.
91. Marino’s Market
92. Martin’s
93. McKinnon’s Supermarkets
94. Meijer
95. Memphis Cash Saver
96. Metropolis Big John Grocery
97. Mignosi’s Super Foodtown
98. Miller and Son’s Supermarket
99. Mt. Plymouth Grocery
100. My Foodtown
101. Nam Dae Mun Farmers Market
102. New Pioneer Food Co-op
103. Opie Drive-Thru Grocery
104. Phelps Market
105. Piggly Wiggly (Deatsville)
106. Piggly Wiggly (HAC)
107. Pioneer Supermarket
108. Price Chopper Supermarkets
109. Price CutterHays Supermarket
110. Price Mart
111. Price Rite
112. Ptacek’s IGA
113. Publix
114. Pyramid Foods
115. Ramsey’s Market
116. Rancho San Miguel Markets
117. Randalls
118. Reasor’s
119. Roche Bros
120. Rosauers Supermarkets
121. Safeway
122. Sam’s Club Scan and Go
123. Sam’s Club
124. Save Mart Supermarkets
125. Schneider’s of Kirkwood
126. Schnuck’s Market
127. Shaws
128. Shoppers Value Foods (Macon)
129. ShopRite
130. Skip’s on the Ridge
131. Sliced Bread Market
132. Smith’s Food and Drug
133. Sooner Foods
134. Spencer Cash Saver
135. Sprouts Farmers Market
136. St. Marys Galaxy
137. Stauffers of Kissel Hill
138. Strack and Van Til
139. Super 1 Foods Brookshires
140. Super King Market
141. Superlo Foods
142. Target
143. The Market by Superior
144. TheFresh Grocer
145. Tom Thumb
146. Tony’s Fresh Market
147. Tops Market
148. Town and Country
149. Tozier’s Family Market
150. Trader Joe’s
151. Ukura’s Big Dollar
152. United Supermarkets
153. Vons
154. Walgreens
155. Walmart
156. Warehouse Market
157. Weis Markets
158. WinCo Foods
159. Woodman’s Markets
160. Yoke’s Fresh Market

List of Fast Foods that Accept EBT Payment

Although SNAP benefits do not cover already prepared meals there are some exceptions and situations where people might be able to pay for their purchases with EBT cards at fast food restaurants. Only SNAP beneficiaries above the age of 60 are eligible to use EBT cards at fast food restaurants under the Restaurant Meal Program. Below is a list of restaurants that accept EBT cards under the Restaurant Meal Program:

1. Dairy Queen
2. Blimpie
3. Carl’s Jr
4. El Pollo Loco
5. Papa Murphy’s
6. Pizza Hut
7. Wendy’s
8. Popeye’s
9. Jamba Juice
10. McDonald’s
11. Denny’s
12. Rally’s
13. Jack in the Box
14. Domino’s Pizza
15. Kentucky-based fried chicken (KFC)
16. Taco Bell
17. Subway
18. Burger King

How to use EBT cards as a Payment Method

Some grocery stores will automatically separate SNAP-eligible items from non-eligible items and deduct the money from your SNAP benefits account at the cash-out register.

Most stores, however, require you to separate them manually and pay for them. Be sure to confirm if your purchases are SNAP-eligible. At the register swipe your EBT card as you would a regular credit or debit card and input your card pin to authorize the payment.

List of SNAP-eligible Food Items

Now that we know which stores accept EBT card payments, let’s take a look at the items you can purchase with your EBT card at these locations. SNAP benefits only cover food items that can provide nutritional value to the family. Here are some of these items;

• Freshly slaughtered Meat and fish
• Poultry products like chicken, turkey, eggs, etc.
• Dairy products like cheese and milk
• Snacks like pretzels, chips, cookies, biscuits, etc.
• Non-alcoholic beverages such as fruit drinks, yogurt, bottled water, etc.
• Baby formula
• Cooking oil
• Fresh vegetables and fruits
• Bread, spices, and seasonings
• Spreads, dips, and sweeteners
• Seed plants that can be grown to feed the family, etc.
• Baking materials like flour, sugar, butter, yeast, baking powder, etc.

List of items that cannot be purchased with EBT cards/SNAP Benefits

Since SNAP benefits only cover food items of nutritional value, food items or anything that does not offer nutritional value to the body are considered ineligible items and cannot be purchased with EBT cards or any form of SNAP benefits. Some of these items include the following;

•  Alcoholic beverages, liquor, and beer.
• Tobacco products like cigarettes
• Live animals
• Food that can be eaten in the store
• Cosmetics
• Baby diapers
• Drugs, vitamins, and Food supplements
• Cleaning supplies and toiletries
• Food served hot like fast food (hamburgers, doughnuts, hotdogs, etc.) with the exception of beneficiaries of the Restaurant Meal Program (RMP).

Requirements for SNAP Eligibility

Some basic things are required to be considered eligible for SNAP benefits. To qualify for SNAP benefits:

1. The total income of the family should be at or lower than 130% of the poverty line. For a family of three, the poverty line used by SNAP is $1920. So, for instance, a family of three with a total monthly income of $2956 or lower will be eligible for SNAP benefits. The poverty line increases with the size of the family. It’s higher for a bigger family and smaller for a small family.
2. Net income after deductions by the benefits should be at or lower than the poverty line to be eligible for SNAP benefits.
3. Assets of the family must fall below the poverty line based on the classification of the members. Families with any elderly or disabled people must have a total asset of $2750 or less. While families with elderly or disabled can have total assets of $4250. 
4. In the calculation of the family’s income, cash earned from jobs is considered also any form of financial aid including child support is considered and summed up to get the family’s gross income.
5. In the aspect of assets, all resources the family can use to purchase food items are considered, including money in the bank. Most times cars and other automobiles including household are not considered by SNAP as part of the family’s assets.

Who is not eligible for SNAP Benefits 

Although SNAP benefits are aimed at helping low-income citizens cater to their food needs, not everyone is eligible for SNAP benefits. Some of the people not eligible include;

• Undocumented immigrants
• Unemployed adult citizens who do not have children living with them.
• People living alone
• College Students
• Adults without disability problems

Sometimes for three months every three years, adults living without children or any form of disability might be considered and allowed to enjoy SNAP benefits.

How to Apply for SNAP Benefits 

To apply for SNAP benefits a few key steps are required.

Step 1: Put together all the necessary documents that might be required to verify the family’s income and assets. These include 

• Tax bills.
• Insurance bills
• Rent/mortgage statement
• Social security card
• Valid means of identification
• Proof of cost of living

Step 2: Log on to the SNAP portal to begin the registration process

Step 3: Answer all the necessary questions about your family

Step 4: Finally submit your application

Alternatively, to online registration, you can also get a printed form from the nearest Human resource office and begin your application procedure. You can also call the DTA office to help begin the application procedure.

How Long Does the Verification Process Take?

After the application procedure, it usually takes 30 days to get a verdict on whether you qualify or not. During this period all your submitted documents will be verified. You can speed up the consideration process by applying for expedited consideration. This usually takes 5-7 days.

If your application has been approved a mail will be sent to you with the number of benefits you are eligible for. In the case of an unapproved application, the reasons will be stated in the letter sent to you. If you wish to appeal for reconsideration, the steps on what you have to do will be attached to the letter sent to you.

How to Access Benefits

Once your application is received you will be sent an Electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card. This card is linked to your benefits account and can only be used to purchase SNAP-eligible items. The list of items that can and cannot be bought with SNAP benefits has already been listed earlier.

How Long do SNAP Benefits Last?

Depending on the program available to your family SNAP benefits can expire once that duration is concluded. The duration of SNAP benefits is dependent on the number of people in the family and sometimes their disability status might also affect the duration. Families where there are no children or spouses, usually have a three-month program after which recertification will be required. Each family enjoys benefits for different durations, ranging from a month up to two years. Once this period expires, you will have to recertify your application to continue using SNAP benefits. Before the expiration date for your benefits, you might receive a mail to remind you to recertify.

How to Apply for Recertification

Once your SNAP benefits expire, recertification is required for you to continue enjoying the benefits. You can find the recertification form online or pick it up from the human resources office. Once this form is submitted you are required to attend an interview on a specific date. Submission of additional documents might be requested, so you have to be prepared for that.

Where can I use SNAP Benefits?

Many big grocery chains and other stores have partnered with SNAP to provide food to the general public and users of SNAP. Below is a list of some places you can use your SNAP EBT card

• Most grocery stores (Walmart, Amazon, Trader Joe’s, Kroger, Target, etc.)
• Pharmacies like Walgreens where you can purchase food items.
• Gas station
• Convenience stores
• Farmer’s Market
• Specialty stores etc.
• Instacart (the EBT card will only cover the payment of the food items, additional costs such as tips and delivery fees will have to be covered with an alternative payment method.

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