Does Gopuff accept EBT? (What to know!)
Gopuff Company has a premium delivery service as they can deliver instant needs and essentials to your door in minutes. These products include thousands of items, from cleaning supplies and over-the-counter medicines to food, beverages, electronics, cosmetics and household items.
Gopuff offers a variety of electronic payment methods for you to choose from. This wide variety of products makes payment for your delivery order quick and easy. If you’re wondering if Gopuff accepts EBT, this article has a comprehensive answer for you.
Does Gopuff accept EBT?
No, Gopuff does not currently accept EBT cards as a valid payment method. While many companies pay for their product costs by EBT cards, Gopuff does not accept EBT cards because their services are not considered essential.
As of 2020, the U.S. government has approved Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. This card helps individuals and families shop for essentials. The best part about using an EBT card is that the recipient doesn’t have to spend a penny of their own money.
Read the full instructions in one of the following sections.
EBT/SNAP: What you need to know
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) is an electronic system through which social service agencies, especially state welfare departments, provide benefits such as food and cash. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) distributes food benefits and provides recipients of benefits with an account to purchase essential products.
The SNAP initiative is designed to provide food procurement assistance to low- and no-income individuals or households in the United States. The number of people applying for and enrolling in SNAP has increased every year, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Therefore, to be a recipient of this benefit program, the system must confirm your eligibility by determining your state of residence and whether you meet certain bank balance restrictions. You can apply for this benefit through your state’s welfare department.
Once you’re approved as a payee, you’ll be issued a magnetically encoded payment card (EBT card) that typically pays $125 per participant per month. However, you cannot withdraw this cash and can only use it to purchase approved products.
Where is EBT accepted?
Grocery chains and major retailers in select states are increasingly accepting valid EBT card payments. Those retailers include Walmart and Target. Additionally, some pharmacies, convenience stores, gas stations, and farmers markets will also accept EBT payments for your uncooked food.
How do I use my EBT card?
Using an EBT/SNAP card is as easy as any other payment method. An EBT card is more like a debit card that you can use to withdraw cash at an ATM or buy something online.
Here are the simple steps on how to use an EBT card:
- Bring your groceries to the cashier
- Swipe through the POS terminal or show your EBT card to the store clerk
- Enter your PIN at the payment terminal
- Press Enter and wait for your payment to be processed
Why doesn’t Gopuff accept SNAP/EBT?
Gopuff does not accept SNAP or EBT benefits because the courier company is not legally licensed to receive benefits as payment. You might be wondering why? This is because items provided by Gopuff are considered “non-essential.”
resource: Gopuff website
Some of their services involve the delivery of supplies such as electronics, medicines, cleaning materials, and more. Since delivery services are not listed under Essential Services, these services are not covered by the EBT Card. To accept EBT/SNAP benefits as a payment method, every item delivered by Gopuff must be verified to ensure it is eligible.
Even though they provide food, beverages, etc. to customers, they do not accept EBT/SNAP benefits as payment for food that has been prepared or that can be eaten in the store. Therefore, as Gopuff primarily provides restaurant prepared food to their customers, they cannot currently accept EBT/SNAP benefits as payment.
Are there any delivery services that accept EBT?
Yes, various shipping services accept EBT as a payment method.
In some states, such as California, you can use Calfresh (EBT) benefits to buy groceries and prepared meals. That’s not all. You can also opt for EBT home delivery online or choose to pick up at participating locations. The program is also offered in Arizona, Maryland, Illinois, Michigan and Rhode Island.
You’ll also be pleased to hear that California authorities are actively working to increase the number of stores that accept EBT cards online.
Online food delivery apps that accept EBT cards
Buying raw food with your EBT card is easy these days. You can order from your comfort zone through available online platforms. Here are some online grocery delivery apps that accept EBT cards:
- Amazon (The AmazonFresh and AmazonPantry apps accept EBT card payments in all states except Montana, Louisiana, Alaska, and Hawaii).
- walmart
- Whole Foods
- Instacart
Well-known retailers that accept EBT cards and offer food delivery
Many retailers and major grocery stores in select states now accept EBT/SNAP benefits for meal delivery. With a valid EBT card, you can pay for all or part of your order. These retailers and grocery stores include:
- walmart
- Amazon
- Aldi
- Wholesale of BJ
- lion eater
- Highway
- Kroger
- the public
- Safeway and Albertson
- shopping cart
You should note that only retailers offering raw food will accept payment through EBT/SNAP benefits. Therefore, you can only purchase certain food items using EBT Food Delivery. These items include:
- Dairy products such as butter, cheese, condensed milk, and powdered milk
- Bread and Cereal
- fruits and vegetables
- Non-alcoholic beverages such as juice and lemonade
- seeds and plants
- snack
- Poultry Products and Pantry Staples
Alcohol or tobacco products, pharmaceuticals, household items, cosmetics, cleaning materials and other non-food items are not
Can you pay cash on Gopuff?
Currently, you cannot pay with cash on Gopuff. In previous years, a cash payment option was available. But then, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company suspended accepting funds in many markets due to health and safety concerns. However, Gopuff now has a variety of electronic payment options to make payment for your order smooth and hassle-free.
What payment methods does Gopuff accept?
Although Gopuff doesn’t have EBT, you can choose from several other payment methods for their delivery service.
You can use any of the following payment methods on Gopuff:
- debit card
- credit card
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- Venmo
Notably, Gopuff offers a unique feature that allows you to choose multiple payment methods in your account. This way, you can easily change your payment method to a convenient and suitable payment method.
in conclusion…
Implementation of SNAP helps provide nutritional benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families through the EBT card. However, some regulations guide what you can buy with your EBT/SNAP benefits. Also, not all grocery chains, retailers and delivery services are authorized to accept EBT card payments.
Gopuff prides itself on their excellent delivery service as they can have your items delivered to your door in minutes. Although the Gopuff platform integrates various payment options for its services, EBT payments are not available. This is because in most states you cannot use EBT to buy fast food. Unfortunately, Gopuff has also suspended cash payments due to health and safety concerns.
For those with a valid EBT card, this article will check where your EBT payments will be accepted.
