Why doesn’t Walmart’s EBT work? (why, potential fix + other FAQs)
Subsidiaries disclose: We may receive commissions for links in this article.
One of the great things about shopping at Walmart is that the company accepts several different payment methods at each of its stores. For example, Walmart accepts major credit and debit cards, cash, checks, and EBT or SNAP benefits.
If you frequently use EBT at Walmart and the payment method doesn’t work, you may be asking, how can I fix this situation? There have been several reports of EBT not working in stores, so I looked into it and found everything you need to know!
Why doesn’t Walmart’s EBT work in 2022?
EBT will not work at Walmart if the card has expired, the item is not eligible for EBT funding, your EBT card is not connected to your Walmart account, or EBT has not been activated as of 2022. Uninstalling the Walmart app, connecting to a strong WiFi and checking that your item is eligible for delivery is the solution to EBT issues.
If you want to learn more about using EBT at Walmart, other common problems EBT users face, and more, keep reading! I have researched everything I know about this!
Can you use EBT online at Walmart?
Walmart’s online platform accepts EBT as a valid payment method; all you need to do is fill in the required information and your EBT benefits will automatically apply.
Also, you can use EBT in Walmart stores if you want.
Why doesn’t Walmart EBT Online work?
There are many reasons why your EBT funds may not be available at Walmart, whether online or in-store.
However, the most popular explanation is that the EBT card (similar to a debit card) has expired.
That is, if your EBT card expires, it will not work, and Walmart will not accept those funds as payment.
When it comes to online shopping, the most common reason EBT doesn’t work is that Walmart’s online servers are down.
Remember, Walmart makes millions of online sales every day, and occasionally the platform experiences lags and glitches.
How do you fix Walmart EBT?
If you’re trying to use EBT on Walmart.com and your payment method doesn’t work, there are some quick steps you can take to fix the problem.
1. Check if your EBT card is connected to your account
This is a very simple fix, and a common reason why people have EBT cards not working when shopping online at Walmart.
That said, make sure your EBT card is connected to your Walmart account (it should only take a few minutes).
2. Make sure your item is eligible
Because EBT funding is provided by the government, there are restrictions on what you can and cannot buy with the money.
Therefore, if some of your Walmart online shopping cart items are not eligible, you will not be able to pay with EBT.
Therefore, it’s best to double-check your shopping cart and make sure you’re only buying eligible EBT products.
3. Activate your EBT card
Another common reason EBT doesn’t work at Walmart is that the card itself isn’t properly activated.
If you don’t activate your EBT card, you won’t be able to make purchases anywhere, including Walmart.
To activate your EBT card, there should be instructions for setting a unique PIN associated with the card.
4. Check your internet connection
If Walmart.com does not allow you to pay via EBT, please check your internet connection.
If you shop with a weak or non-existent internet connection, your EBT payment may be declined or stuck processing.
So it’s best to shop online at Walmart when you have secure and reliable WiFi access.
5. Uninstall the Walmart app
A simple quick-fix strategy for EBT issues is to uninstall the Walmart application. Fortunately, the items in your cart won’t be deleted, so you can uninstall and reinstall the Walmart app.
After doing this, try paying for the project again with your EBT funds.
The download and processing speed of the Walmart app is often slowed down by its size and the number of people using it.
6. Check your time period
If you set a specific time period for Walmart shipping and your EBT payment doesn’t work, these items may become unavailable while you shop.
While this doesn’t happen often, it can prevent your payment method and order from being processed.
So make sure to check the time period associated with your order and edit the item if necessary.
How do you use EBT on Walmart Online?
Recently, Walmart started accepting EBT for online shopping. So, if you want to use EBT funds to buy items from Walmart, follow these steps to get started:
- Log in to your Walmart Shipping Account
- Click on “Payment Methods” (if your local store accepts EBT, you should see an option to add an EBT card to your account)
- Add your EBT card information
- Click “Save Card”
After completing these steps, you can shop on Walmart.com knowing that your EBT funds will cover eligible items.
That is, your cart will automatically display the total amount of EBT-eligible items and the amount that requires an alternative payment.
What can you buy with EBT at Walmart?
Fortunately, several items are eligible for EBT and are also on sale at Walmart. With that, here is a list of eligible projects covered by the EBT Fund:
- fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry and fish
- Dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese)
- Bread and Cereal
- Snacks (granola, cookies, etc.)
- non-alcoholic beverages; and
- seeds and plants
To learn more, you can also read our post on Walmart Instacart, if Walmart accepts American Express gift cards, and Walmart gift cards can be reloaded.
in conclusion
Luckily, Walmart accepts EBT for eligible items. However, if you are having trouble using EBT at Walmart, don’t panic. That being said, one of the most common reasons EBT doesn’t work at Walmart is that the card has expired or hasn’t been activated.
Also, make sure you use EBT to pay for eligible items, as Walmart will not accept the funds if the product does not meet federal requirements.