Your Free Guide to Using EBT Cards

Introduction to EBT Cards

An EBT card, otherwise known as an Electronic Benefits Transfer card, is the primary method of receiving some types of government benefits. These include Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits.

EBT cards can be used in a variety of ways to purchase items related to food and nutrition. These include groceries, meals, snacks, and other food-related items.

When making purchases with an EBT card, it’s important to check the back of the card for instructions regarding how to use it correctly. Generally, you swipe the card through a point-of-sale machine at a participating retailer or (in some cases) a restaurant. You may also need to enter your PIN (personal identification number) on the keypad provided by the merchant before any transaction is processed.

When using an EBT card, only one payment method may be accepted per transaction – cash, debit, or credit cards are not allowed as secondary forms of payment when using EBT. However, you can simply pay for the rest using cash, a credit card, or a debit card in a second transaction.

Additionally, some retailers may offer discounts or other incentives when making purchases with an EBT card.

Beneficiaries should check with the store in advance to determine if they accept EBT cards and what specific promotions they may have available. Not every store accepts EBT as a form of payment.

EBT cards may be used to purchase items online from certain approved retailers. However, online EBT usage varies in each state.

It’s important to keep track of your purchases and monitor your EBT balance regularly. This can be done by visiting the website of your state’s Department of Social Services. (Keep in mind, the name of your state’s program may depend on your state.) You may call the toll-free customer service number found on the back of your card for more information about balance inquiries and transaction histories. By taking these steps, you can ensure that you are using your card correctly and benefitting from its use in full.

Government Assistance Programs That Use EBT Cards

There are a number of government assistance programs that use EBT cards. These include the following:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to eligible individuals and families. Also known as food stamps, this program provides low-income households with funds that can be used to purchase food items eligible for the program. These funds are loaded on EBT cards regularly for qualifying families to use at participating stores.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) –

TANF is a federally funded program that provides temporary financial assistance to needy families. It is administered by the states through their own TANF programs, and funds are disbursed via EBT cards. This program helps qualified families with children that have limited income and resources, so they can attain self-sufficiency.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

WIC is a federally funded nutrition program that provides nutritious foods and education to pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and young children up to five years of age. Like SNAP and TANF, funds are loaded onto EBT cards to be used at participating stores.

How EBT Cards Work

EBT cards are issued by state agencies to people who participate in government assistance programs. The money that is loaded onto these cards can only be used to buy goods and items that are allowed for each program.

You can use your EBT cards in another state.

Funds can be loaded onto EBT cards regularly or at certain times throughout the month, depending on the program and state regulations. Once the card is loaded with money, it can be used at participating stores to buy food, groceries, and other approved items.

When making a purchase with an EBT card, you generally need to enter your PIN into a point-of-sale machine or keypad at participating retailers in order for the transaction to be completed. A PIN is a 4-digit code that is unique to the card; this helps prevent fraud.

Some stores may have restrictions on what can be purchased using an EBT card. Make sure to check with the retailer before making any purchases if you’re unsure whether they accept EBT cards or not.

Where to Use EBT Cards

EBT cards can be used at most grocery stores, food retailers, farmers markets and other locations that are approved to accept them. A list of all authorized retailers can typically be found on the website of your state’s Department of Social Services or by calling the toll-free customer service number found on the back of your card for more information about where you can use it.

You can also find a list of authorized retailers in your state by using the SNAP Retailer Locator tool provided by the USDA here: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator

EBT cards may also be used to purchase items online from certain approved retailers. However, the EBT card will not pay for related charges, such as delivery.

However, online EBT usage varies in each state. To determine which retailers accept online EBT payments in your state, view the table below. This information is valid as of March 2024.

State	Approved Retailers
Alabama	ALDI, Amazon, Costco, Food City , Gordon Food Services , Greer’s Cash Saver, Hometown Market of Limestone County, Kroger, Marino’s Market, Piggly Wiggly (Deatsville), Publix , Sam’s Club Scan and Go, Sprouts Farmers Market, Target, Walmart Whole Food, Wright’s Markets, Inc.
Alaska	Amazon, Costco, Carr’s, Fred Meyer, Safeway, Target, Walmart
Arizona	AJ’s Fine Foods, Albertsons, ALDI, Amazon, Basha’s, Cardenas Markets, Costco, Eddie’s Country Store, El Super, Fry’s Food, Basha’s (Food City), Los Altos Ranch Markets, Norm’s IGA, Safeway, Sam’s Club Scan & Go, Smith’s Food & Drug, Sprouts Farmers Market, Target, Walmart & Whole Foods
Arkansas	10 Box Cost Plus, Albertsons, ALDI, Amazon, Brookshire’s Food and Pharmacy, City Markets, Costco, Harps Food Stores, Hays Supermarket, Sam’s Club Scan and Go, Super 1 Foods, Target, Walmart & Whole Foods
California	Albertsons, ALDI, Amazon, Andronico’s Bel Air, Big Square, Bristol Farms, Brothers Marketplace, Cardenas Markets, Co-Opportunity Market, Costco, El Super, ExtraMile by Jacksons, Food 4 Less (Kroger), Food 4 Less (PAQ), FoodMaxx, Foods Co, Glen Ellen Village Market, Gong’s IGA Market, Island Pacific Market, Jacksons Food Stores, Jimbo’s Naturally, Lazy Acres, Lucky Supermarkets, Mandela Partners, Mar Val Foods, Nob Hill, Northgate Markets, Pavilions, Raley’s, Ralphs, Rancho San Miguel Markets, Safeway, Sam’s Club Scan & Go, Save Mart Supermarkets, Seafood City, Singing Frogs Farm, Sprouts Farmers Market, Stater Bros, Super King Market, Superior Grocers, Target, The Market by Superior, Thrive Market, Victory Produce, Vons, Walmart & Whole Foods
Colorado	Albertsons, Amazon, City Market, Costco, King Soopers, Safeway, Sam’s Club Scan & Go, Sprouts Farmers Market, Target, Walmart & Whole Foods
Connecticut	ACME, ALDI, Amazon, Big Y, BJs Wholesale Club, Costco, Food Bazaar, Geissler’s Supermarket, Massaro Community Farms, Northwest Corner Farm, Price Chopper Supermarkets, Price Rite, Sam’s Club Scan & Go, ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Target, Walmart & Whole Foods
Delaware	ACME, ALDI, Amazon, BJs Wholesale Club, Costco, Food Lion, Giant of Maryland, Redner’s, Safeway, Sam’s Club Scan and Go, ShopRite, Sprouts Farmers Market, Target, Walmart, Wegmans & Weis Markets
District of Columbia	ALDI, Amazon, Giant of Maryland, Safeway & Whole Foods
Florida	ALDI, Amazon, BJs Wholesale Club, Costco, Earth Fare, Freshfields Farm, Gordon Food Services, Greer’s Cash Saver, Hitchcock’s Markets, Kai Kai Farm, Milam’s Markets, Mt. Plymouth Grocery, Publix, Sam’s Club Scan & Go, Sprouts Farmers Market, Target, Walmart & Whole Foods
Georgia	ALDI, Amazon, BJs Wholesale Club, Costco, Earth Fare, Food City, Food Lion, Kroger, Little Giant Farmers Market, Nam Dae Mun Farmers Market, Piggly Wiggly (HAC), Publix, Sam’s Club Scan & Go, Shoppers Value Foods (Macon), Sprouts Farmers Market, Target, Walmart & Whole Foods
Hawaii	Amazon, Costco, Down to Earth Organic and Natural, Safeway, Sam’s Club Scan and Go, Target, Walmart & Whole Foods
Idaho	Albertsons, Amazon, Broulim’s, Costco, ExtraMile by Jacksons, Fred Meyer, Hoagland Meat, Jacksons Food Stores, Manito Super 1 Foods, INC, Rosauers Supermarkets, Safeway, Sam’s Club Scan & Go, Smith’s Food & Drug, Super 1 Foods Brookshires, Target, Walmart, Whole Foods & Yoke’s Fresh Market
Illinois	ALDI, Alpine Mobile, Amazon, Billy Doe Meats, Capri IGA, Costco, County Market, Dave’s Supermarket, Fairplay Foods, Food 4 Less (Kroger), Gordon Food Services, Harvest Market, HyVee, Jewel Osco, Kroger, Local Market, Mariano’s, Meijer, Metropolis Big John Grocery, Sam’s Club Scan & Go, Schnuck’s Market, Seafood City, Supermercados El Guero, Target, Tony’s Fresh Market, Top Box Foods, Walmart, Whole Foods & Woodman’s Markets
Indiana	ALDI, Amazon, Costco, Food 4 Less (Kroger), Giant Eagle, Gordon Food Services, Jay C Foods, Jewel Osco, Kroger, Martin’s Super Market, Meijer, Pay Less, Sam’s Club Scan & Go, Schnuck’s Market, Strack and Van Til, Target, Town and Country, Walmart & Whole Foods
Iowa	ALDI, Amazon, Costco, HyVee, Jewel Osco, New Pioneer Food Co-op, Ramsey’s Market, Sam’s Club Scan & Go, Target, Walmart, Whole Foods
Kansas	ALDI, Amazon, Costco, Country Mart, Dillon’s, Harps Food Stores, HyVee, Pyramid Foods, Sam’s Club Scan & Go, Sprouts Farmers Market, Target, The Merc Co-Op, Walmart & Whole Foods
Kentucky	ALDI, Amazon, Costco, Food City, Food Lion, Gordon Food Services, Kroger, Meijer, Sam’s Club Scan & Go, Target, Walmart & Whole Foods
Louisiana	Albertsons, Amazon, Brookshire’s Food and Pharmacy, Butcher Boy, Costco, Mac’s Super Market of Jena, River Queen Greens, Sam’s Club Scan and Go, Spring Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, Super 1 Foods Brookshires, Walmart & Whole Foods
Maine	Amazon, BJs Wholesale Club, Costco, Hannaford, Sam’s Club Scan and Go, Shaws, Target, Walmart & Whole Foods
Maryland	ACME, ALDI, Amazon, Balducci’s, BJs Wholesale Club, Costco, Food Lion, Geresbeck’s Food Market, Giant Eagle, Giant of Maryland, Martin’s, Price Rite, Redner’s, Safeway, Sam’s Club Scan and Go, Seven Mile Market, ShopRite, Sprouts Farmers Market, Target, Walmart, Wegmans, Weis Markets & Whole Foods
Massachusetts	Adam’s Hometown Market – Adams, Adam’s Hometown Market – Deep River, Adam’s Hometown Market – Milford, ALDI, Amazon, Atkin’s Fruit Bowl, BJs Wholesale Club, Brothers Marketplace, Chaves Marketplace, Costco, Daily Table, Geissler’s Supermarket, Hannaford, Hilltown Mobile Market, McKinnon’s Supermarkets, Price Chopper Supermarkets, Price Rite, Ring Bros. Marketplace, Roche Bros, Shaws, Star Market, Stop & Shop, Target, Walmart, Wegmans & Whole Foods
Michigan	ALDI, Amazon, BJs Wholesale Club, Bridget Street Market, Capital City Market, Costco, Earth Fare, Garden Fresh Market, Gordon Food Services, Martin’s Supermarket, Meijer, Quality Dairy Co., Rivertown Market, Sam’s Club Scan and Go, SharKar Farm, Target, Walmart, Wesco, Whole Foods & Woodward Corner Market
Minnesota	ALDI, Amazon, Cash Wise, Coborn’s, Costco, County Market, Daily Cart, Ernie’s Food Market, Hornbacher’s, Hugo’s Family Marketplace, HyVee, Jerry’s Foods, Lunds & Byerly’s Mackenthun’s Fine Foods, Oasis Foods, Sam’s Club Scan and Go, Target, Ukura’s Big Dollar, Walmart & Whole Foods
Mississippi	ALDI, Amazon, Costco, Froogel’s, Greer’s Cash Saver, Roger’s Supermarket LLC, Sam’s Club Scan and Go, Superlo Foods, Target, Walmart & Whole Foods
Missouri	ALDI, Amazon, Blue Parkway Sun Fresh, Bratcher’s Market, Cameron Market, Costco, Country Mart, County Market, FavTrip Independence, FavTrip KCMO, Gerbes, Gordon Food Services, Harps Food Stores, Harter House, Hays Supermarket, HyVee, Kroger, Price Cutter, Pyramid Foods, Sam’s Club Scan and Go, Schnuck’s Market, Sliced Bread Market, Sprout’s Farmers Markets, Sweet Springs Market, Target, Walmart, Whole Foods & Woods Supermarket
Montana	Albertsons, Amazon, Costco, Darlow’s Quality Foods, Manito Super 1 Foods INC, Reynolds Market, Rosauers Supermarkets, Safeway, Smith Food & Drug, Super 1 Foods Safeway, Target, Walmart & Yoke’s Fresh Market
Nebraska	ALDI, Amazon, Baker’s Plus, Costco, HyVee, Safeway, Sam’s Club Scan and Go, Target, Walmart & Whole Foods
Nevada	Albertsons Amazon Cardenas Markets Costco El Super ExtraMile by Jacksons FoodMaxx Island Pacific Market Jacksons Food Stores La Bonita Supermarkets Lin’s Fresh Market Mariana’s Supermarkets Marketon Safeway Sam’s Club Scan and Go Save Mart Supermarkets Seafood City Smith’s Food and Drug Sprouts Farmers Market Target Vons Walmart Whole Foods
New Hampshire	ALDI Amazon BJs Wholesale Club Costco Hannaford McKinnon’s Supermarkets Price Chopper Supermarkets Price Rite Sam’s Club Scan and Go Shaws Target Walmart Whole Foods
New Jersey	4th Ave Halal Meat Market ACME ALDI Amazon BJs Wholesale Club Costco Food Bazaar Food Circus Super Markets, Inc. DBA Super Foodtown Kings Super Markets Price Rite Sam’s Club Scan and Go ShopRite Sprouts Farmers Market Stop & Shop Target TheFreshGrocer Walmart Wegmans Weis Markets Whole Foods
New Mexico	Albertsons Amazon Costco El Super Ranch Market Safeway Sam’s Club Scan and Go Smith’s Food and Drug Sprouts Farmers Market Target Walmart Whole Foods
New York	3 Guys From Brooklyn ACME ALDI Alpine Mobil Amazon Balady Market BJs Wholesale Club Camellia Meats City Acres – Fidi City Acres – Long Island City Costco Dash’s Market Duncan’s Fish Market Fairway Market Ferreira Foodtown Food Bazaar Foodtown-Freshtown Gitto & Sons Health Food Inc. Gordon Food Services Gourmet Garage GreenStar Food Co-op Hannaford Hub on the Hill Manhattan Fruit Market Metro Acres Moisha’s Kosher Discount Supermarket, Inc. My Foodtown P&C Fresh – Cortland P&C Fresh – Ithaca Pioneer Supermarket Price Chopper Supermarkets Price Rite Sam’s Club Scan and Go Schneider’s of Kirkwood ShopRite Skip’s on the Ridge Sleeping Lion Farm Stop & Shop Target The Butcher’s Choice Meat Market Tops Market Walmart Wegmans Weis Markets Whole Foods
North Carolina	ALDI Amazon BJs Wholesale Club Carlie C’s Compare Foods Compare Foods Clayton Costco Deep Roots Market Earth Fare Fairvalue Grocery Stores Food Lion Harris Teeter Piggly Wiggly (Kinston) Publix Sam’s Club Scan and Go Sprouts Farmers Market Target Walmart Wegmans Whole Foods
North Dakota	ALDI Amazon Cash Wise Costco Hornbacher’s Hugo’s Family Marketplace Sam’s Club Scan and Go Target Walmart
Ohio	ALDI Amazon BJs Wholesale Club Brookfield Sparkle Market Buehler’s Fresh Foods Costco Dave’s Supermarket, Inc. DBA Dave’s Supermarket Earth Fare Giant Eagle Gordon Food Services Jerky Pro Kroger Lucky’s Meijer Sam’s Club Scan and Go Seaway Marketplace Stark Fresh Target Walmart Whole Foods
Oklahoma	ALDI Amazon Apple Market Costco Country Mart Doc’s Food Stores, Inc. FireLake Discount Foods HAC Inc. DBA Cash Saver Harps Food Stores Homeland Food Stores Oasis Fresh Market Phelps Market Price Mart Reasor’s Sam’s Club Scan and Go Sooner Foods Sprouts Farmers Market Target United Supermarkets Walmart Warehouse Market Whole Foods
Oregon	Albertsons Amazon Astoria Co-op Bend Food 4 Less Costco ExtraMile by Jacksons Fred Meyer Go-Puff Lane County Bounty New Seasons Markets QFC Rosauers Supermarkets Roth’s Fresh Markets Safeway Stop and Go Shell Target Union Market Walmart Whole Foods
Pennsylvania	ACME ALDI Amazon BJs Wholesale Club Burkholder’s Market Costco Cottman Food Market Dave’s Super Duper East End Food Coop Giant Company, LLC Giant Eagle Gordon Food Services Lake Region IGA Martin’s Mignosi’s Super Foodtown Price Chopper Supermarkets Price Rite Redner’s Markets Sam’s Club Scan and Go ShopRite Sprouts Farmers Market Stauffers of Kissel Hill Target TheFreshGrocer Tops Market Walmart Wegmans Weis Markets Whole Foods
Rhode Island	ALDI Amazon BJs Wholesale Club Cartwheel RI Price Rite Saboriza Shaws Stop & Shop Target Walmart Whole Foods
South Carolina	ALDI Amazon BJs Wholesale Club Costco Earth Fare Food Lion FoodShare SC Kroger Opie Drive-Thru Grocery Publix Sam’s Club Scan and Go Sprouts Farmers Market Target Walmart Whole Foods
South Dakota	ALDI Amazon Buche Foods Costco HyVee Safeway Sam’s Club Scan and Go Target Walmart
Tennessee	ALDI Amazon Costco Earth Fare Food City Food Lion Gordon Food Services H.G. Hill Foods Store Hilltop Supermarket Kroger Memphis Cash Saver Piggly Wiggly (Henderson) Publix Sam’s Club Scan and Go Sprouts Farmers Market Superlo Foods Target Walmart Whole Foods
Texas	Albertsons ALDI Amazon Brookshire Brothers Brookshire’s Food and Pharmacy Central Market Costco El Super Fiesta Mart FRESH by Brookshire’s H-E-B Harvest Natural Market Joe V’s Smart Shop Lewis Food Town Linda’s Mini Mart Little Red Box Grocery Pyburn’s Farm Fresh Foods Randalls Sam’s Club Scan and Go Spring Market Sprouts Farmers Market Super 1 Foods Brookshires Target Tom Thumb Walmart Wheatsville Food Coop Whole Foods
Utah	10 Box Cost Plus Albertsons Amazon Costco Dan’s Fresh Market Davis Food and Drug Dick’s Fresh Market ExtraMile by Jacksons Fresh Market Jacksons Food Stores Lin’s Fresh Market Macey’s Sam’s Club Scan and Go Smith’s Food and Drug Sprouts Farmers Market Target Walmart Whole Foods
Vermont	ALDI Amazon Costco Footprint Farm Hannaford Price Chopper Supermarkets Shaws Target Tops Market Walmart
Virginia	ALDI Amazon BJs Wholesale Club Cooper’s Meats Costco Earth Fare Food City Food Lion Giant of Maryland Martin’s Publix Safeway Sam’s Club Scan and Go Sprouts Farmers Market Target Walmart Wegmans Weis Markets Whole Foods
Washington	7-Eleven A&J Select Market Albertsons Amazon Costco Fred Meyer Haggan Huckleberry’s Natural Market New Seasons Markets QFC Rosauers Supermarkets Safeway Seafood City Sprouts Farmers Market Super 1 Foods Rosauers Swanson’s Foods – Aberdeen Swanson’s Foods – Hoquiam Target Walmart Whole Foods Yoke’s Fresh Market
West Virginia	ALDI Amazon Food Lion Giant Eagle Martin’s Sam’s Club Scan and Go Spencer Cash Saver St. Marys Galaxy Target Walmart Weis Markets
Wisconsin	ALDI Amazon Capital Centre Market Costco County Market (Jerry’s Enterprises, Inc.) Gordon Food Services HyVee Jerry’s Foods Lou Perrine’s Gas and Grocery Marketplace Foods Meijer Metro Market Miller and Son’s Supermarket Monterrey Market Pick N Save Ptacek’s IGA Sam’s Club Scan and Go Schnuck’s Market Target Walmart Webster’s Marketplace Whole Foods Woodman’s Markets
Wyoming	Albertsons Amazon Broulim’s Hines General Store Safeway Sam’s Club Scan and Go Smith’s Food and Drug Target Walmart Whole Foods

Checking the Balance of an EBT Card

It is important to check the balance of your EBT card regularly to make sure you have enough money available. Most states reload EBT cards monthly, while others may do so more or less frequently.

To quickly check the balance of an EBT card, you can usually look at the most recent receipt for a purchase you made using your EBT card. Most stores include the balance on the receipt, usually toward the bottom, so that customers can prepare properly.

There are a few other ways to check the balance of your EBT:

By phone – you can obtain the balance of your EBT by calling the toll-free customer service number found on the back of your card for more information about balance inquiries and transaction histories.

Online – you can visit the website of your state’s Department of Social Services or the website of your state’s EBT company. In most cases, you can log in with an online account that you created during your initial EBT setup. You might also need to provide your EBT card PIN.

At ATMs – some ATMs may be used to check the balance of your EBT card. However, not every state approves this method of checking your balance.

If you are having difficulty checking the balance of your EBT card, contact customer service for assistance. The toll-free customer service number can be found on the back of your card.