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:
- A&J Select Market
- Albertsons
- Aldi
- Amazon
- Amazon
- Apple Market
- Basha’s (Food City)
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Bratcher’s Market
- Brookshire’s Food and Pharmacy
- Brothers Marketplace
- Marketplace
- Broulim’s
- Buche Foods
- Buehler’s Fresh Foods
- Burkholder’s Market
- Cameron Market
- Capri IGA
- Cardenas Markets
- Carlie C’s
- Cartwheel RI
- Cash Saver
- Compare Foods
- Costco
- Cottman Food Market
- Country Mart
- Daily Table
- Dan’s Fresh Market
- Dash’s Market
- Dave’s Supermarket, Inc. DBA Dave’s Supermarket
- Davis Food and Drug
- Deep Roots Market
- Dick’s Fresh Market
- Dillons
- Dollar General
- Earth Fare
- Eddie’s Country Store
- Ernie’s Food Market
- ExtraMile by Jacksons
- Fairplay Foods
- FavTrip Independence
- FavTrip KCMO
- Ferreira Foodtown
- FireLake Discount Foods
- Food 4 Less
- Food Bazaar
- Food Circus Super Markets, Inc. DBA Super
- Foodtown
- Food City
- Food Lion
- FoodMaxx
- Foodtown
- Foodtown-Freshtown
- FRESH by Brookshire’s
- FreshDirect
- Freshfields Farm
- Froogel’s
- Garden Fresh Market
- Geissler’s Supermarket
- Geresbeck’s Food Market
- Giant Eagle
- Giant of Maryland
- Gong’s IGA Market
- Gourmet Garage
- Greer’s Cash Saver
- H.G. Hill Foods Store
- Hannaford
- Harps Food Stores
- Harts Local Grocers
- H-E-B
- Hitchcock’s Markets
- Hometown Market of Limestone County
- Hornbacher’s
- Hub on the Hill
- Hugo’s Family Marketplace
- Jacksons Food Stores
- JC’s Market and Food Kitchen
- Jewel Osco
- Joe V’s Smart Shop
- Just Dash It
- Kroger
- Lewis Food Town
- Lin’s Fresh Market
- Lou Perrine’s Gas and Grocery
- Lucky Supermarkets
- Lucky’s
- Macey’s
- Mackenthun’s Fine Foods
- Manhattan Fruit Market
- Manito Super 1 Foods, Inc.
- Marino’s Market
- Martin’s
- McKinnon’s Supermarkets
- Meijer
- Memphis Cash Saver
- Metropolis Big John Grocery
- Mignosi’s Super Foodtown
- Miller and Son’s Supermarket
- Mt. Plymouth Grocery
- My Foodtown
- Nam Dae Mun Farmers Market
- New Pioneer Food Co-op
- Opie Drive-Thru Grocery
- Phelps Market
- Piggly Wiggly (Deatsville)
- Piggly Wiggly (HAC)
- Pioneer Supermarket
- Price Chopper Supermarkets
- Price CutterHays Supermarket
- Price Mart
- Price Rite
- Ptacek’s IGA
- Publix
- Pyramid Foods
- Ramsey’s Market
- Rancho San Miguel Markets
- Randalls
- Reasor’s
- Roche Bros
- Rosauers Supermarkets
- Safeway
- Sam’s Club Scan and Go
- Sam’s Club
- Save Mart Supermarkets
- Schneider’s of Kirkwood
- Schnuck’s Market
- Shaws
- Shoppers Value Foods (Macon)
- ShopRite
- Skip’s on the Ridge
- Sliced Bread Market
- Smith’s Food and Drug
- Sooner Foods
- Spencer Cash Saver
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- St. Marys Galaxy
- Stauffers of Kissel Hill
- Strack and Van Til
- Super 1 Foods Brookshires
- Super King Market
- Superlo Foods
- Target
- The Market by Superior
- TheFresh Grocer
- Tom Thumb
- Tony’s Fresh Market
- Tops Market
- Town and Country
- Tozier’s Family Market
- Trader Joe’s
- Ukura’s Big Dollar
- United Supermarkets
- Vons
- Walgreens
- Walmart
- Warehouse Market
- Weis Markets
- WinCo Foods
- Woodman’s Markets
- 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:
- Dairy Queen
- Blimpie
- Carl’s Jr
- El Pollo Loco
- Papa Murphy’s
- Pizza Hut
- Wendy’s
- Popeye’s
- Jamba Juice
- McDonald’s
- Denny’s
- Rally’s
- Jack in the Box
- Domino’s Pizza
- Kentucky-based fried chicken (KFC)
- Taco Bell
- Subway
- 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:
- 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.
- Net income after deductions by the benefits should be at or lower than the poverty line to be eligible for SNAP benefits.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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Having worked in a grocery store in the past, I thought it wise to pen down a few things that you might be interested to know about shopping and navigating your way around the store.
