Does Instacart accept EBT? (Must know!)
Instacart is truly a lifesaver for ordering food and groceries online with fast delivery to your door. Thanks to its 24/7 shopping and delivery service, Instacart users can relax and place orders at any time of the day.
As expected from an online shopping store, Instacart offers its users a list of payment options to choose from. Therefore, when shopping, you need to choose your preferred payment method from the list provided by Instacart.
However, this begs the question; does Instacart accept EBT? The simple answer is; yes, Instacart accepts EBT. If you are a beneficiary of EBT, this article is for you.
Does Instacart accept EBT?
Yes. Instacart accepts EBT. In November 2020, Instacart launched EBT and SNAP payment methods. This basically allows EBT beneficiaries to pay for groceries with an EBT card and receive discounts on delivery. Since launching EBT and SNAP payment options, Instacart has integrated the new payment method with at least 40 retail partners.
In short, you can pay with EBT or SNAP at at least 40 Instacart-related retail stores.
In addition to ordering groceries that accept EBT payments, Instacart also allows users to pay for snacks and other convenience items via EBT and SNAP.
The convenience center on Instacart has a huge selection of snacks, essentials and ingredients that you can pay with your EBT or SNAP card.
What is EBT?
Imagine you have less groceries and less money in your bank account. Hunger doesn’t care when your next payday is, you absolutely have to. That means you have to find other ways to sort through your grocery bill. This is where EBT comes in.
EBT basically means Electronic Benefit Transfer. It is an electronic state benefit system that pays some funds to beneficiaries to meet their basic needs.
Think of it like a state-owned grocery grant that comes in handy when you’re stuck. Designed primarily to meet the needs of low-income earners, EBT comes with an electronic card.
EBT cards work like any other debit card. It can be used to buy most of the fresh and uncooked food regulated by the state welfare department. While there are plenty of stores that don’t yet accept EBT as a payment method, there are also retail and online stores like Instacart that accept it.
EBTs are known for “food stamps,” which allow you to enjoy free food, groceries, or cash to pay for groceries. EBT began around 2004 under the Food Stamp Program and evolved into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). While it’s currently called EBT or SNAP, it’s best known for its old name, “Food Stamps.”
Where can I pay with EBT?
Not all Instacart retail partners accept EBT or SNAP payments. Some of the retail stores that accept EBT and SNAP on Instacart include:
- PAQ Inc (Food 4 Less California and Rancho San Miguel)
- Aldi
- food market
- Market 32
- Ahold Delhaize United States
- Little Giant Farmers Market
- earth fare
- fair competition food
- lion eater
- home
- Brook Hill’s
- Woodman Market
- my county market
- Harp Food Store
- and Publix
Can you use EBT or SNAP for grocery delivery on Instacart?
EBT and SNAP payments can be used for grocery deliveries on Instacart in lieu of regular debit cards. The beauty of this is that there are special discounts on delivery and pickup on EBT and SNAP orders. You just need to shop with a valid EBT or SNAP card associated with your Instacart shopping account to receive discounts.
While there are many retail stores that accept EBT and SNAP for orders on Instacart, that doesn’t mean they automatically accept EBT and SNAP for delivery.
Quite a few retail stores only accept EBT and SNAP payments for grocery orders, not delivery or pickup. However, just as Instacart is gradually integrating EBT and SNAP payments with most retail partners, it’s only a matter of time before they do the same with grocery delivery.
If you wish to place an order and pay for shipping using your EBT or SNAP card, you must browse Instacart’s list of existing retail partners. Below are some of the stores that accept EBT and SNAP payments for orders and deliveries;
- Aldi
- Food Maxx
- lion eater
- Market 32
- Save the Bazaar
- Market Bistro
- Lucky supermarket
How do I pay with my EBT or SNAP card on Instacart?
Before you can use your EBT or SNAP card on Instacart, you must set it up as another payment method on your Instacart account. Here’s how to set up an EBT or SNAP card on Instacart;
- Start by creating an Instacart shopping profile.
- After verifying and running your Instacart account, click Account Settings.
- In your account settings, click Payment Options and select “Add EBT Card”.
- Enter your EBT card details as required and save.
- Click “Add Another Card” to link your regular debit card to your Instacart account. This is especially important if you are purchasing a product that is not eligible for EBT or SNAP payment.
- Add your city’s zip code. This will show you if your city is eligible for the EBT program and will also show you all retail stores near you that accept EBT or SNAP payments.
- When shopping on Instacart, click your search filter and add EBT eligible items. This will rearrange your shopping results to show all EBT eligible products first.
- Add the desired number of EBT products to your card and proceed with payment. Choose your EBT card as your payment method.
- Choose your delivery method; pickup or home delivery. Depending on the store you shop from, you may be able to pay for shipping with your EBT card.
What products can I buy with my EBT card?
Generally, uncooked food and convenience items are eligible for EBT or SNAP payments on Instacart. Some of the items you can buy with your EBT card include:
- milk and some other dairy products
- cereals
- fresh vegetables and fruits
- Meat, Fish and Poultry Products
- Bottled water and other non-alcoholic beverages
- snack
Which products are not eligible for EBT or SNAP payment?
As long as it’s not food, then it’s likely not eligible for EBT or SNAP payments. Some items that are not eligible for EBT or SNAP benefits include:
- alcoholic beverages
- non-food
- Tobacco or any nicotine product
- Steroids and Bodybuilding Supplements
- Cooked and ready-to-eat foods that are not EBT or SNAP compliant.
Yes, Instacart accepts EBT SNAP benefits. Low-income individuals receiving SNAP benefits through EBT can link their cards to Instacart. They are available in select stores across the US.
Who is eligible for EBT or SNAP payments on Instacart?
To meet the needs of low-income families, US welfare agencies launched the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in 2004. This ensures that low-income earners and families can easily purchase healthy food.
So the general idea is that low-income earners are the main beneficiaries of EBT or SNAP.
Although Instacart is authorized to accept EBT and SNAP payments, there are some limitations. Currently, customers in all US states except Alaska, Montana and Louisiana can use EBT or SNAP as an alternative payment method on Instacart.
For now, users from restricted states will have to wait until their states are integrated into the EBT and SNAP pilot programs.
Want to learn more about Instacart? Check out our related posts to find out if Instacart offers cigarettes, Instacart offers alcohol and Can you work for Shipt and Instacart?
in conclusion…
The U.S. government is committed to meeting the needs of its people, especially those on low incomes. As technology developed, the food stamp program gradually evolved into what is known as EBT.
Customers no longer need to carry paper cards or food stamps to retail stores because EBT cards are the latest innovation.
In addition to the convenience of using an EBT card online, Instacart EBT users can avoid the potential taunts of using food stamps offline. There is no doubt that Instacart’s integration of EBT as a payment method is seamless.
With just a few clicks on the Instacart app, users can set up their EBT card, filter product results to primarily display EBT eligible items, and shop with confidence.
