Does Uber Eats eat EBT? (all you must know)
EBT is a program many people across the country use to get food that would otherwise be difficult to afford.
For those of you who are in the program and are interested in using it for food delivery services like Uber Eats, we’ve looked into accepting EBT payments, read on to learn more!
Will Uber Eats accept EBT in 2022?
Unfortunately, Uber Eats does not accept EBT as the program does not cover hot cooked food intended to be eaten where it is sold. This restriction also extends to food that falls under this category but has been delivered. Uber Eats will accept other major payment methods in 2022, including cash and cards.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about EBT and Uber Eats, including more about why it’s not an option, alternative payment methods, and more!
Why doesn’t Uber Eats accept EBT?
As we mentioned in the previous section, Uber Eats may not accept EBT as the program does not cover many of the options available on the platform.
Federal law currently states that EBT cannot be used to buy food that is hot at the point of sale, which is key for people buying food on Uber Eats.
The requirement, which has been in place since the program’s inception, aims to promote “healthy eating” by making it harder to pay for fast food items.
There are several EBT-eligible items on Uber Eats, such as snacks, but it’s hard to keep track of which purchases the company just chose not to bother with its plans.
Additionally, the government requires companies wishing to accept EBT online to register for approval and meet stringent requirements, which Uber Eats may not yet see as a worthwhile business move.
Which food delivery apps accept EBT?
Unfortunately, none of the major food delivery apps like Postmates, Doordash, and Grubhub accept EBT.
Many of them offer most of the same food items as Uber Eats, so the reasons for not accepting EBT are similar to the ones we provided above.
What can you buy with EBT?
You can use EBT to buy the following items:
- fruits and vegetables
- Meat, Fish and Poultry
- dairy products, such as cheese and butter
- bread
- cereals
- Snack foods
- non-alcoholic beverages
- Plants and seeds that produce food for the home
The EBT guidelines say you cannot use it for the following items:
- hot food at point of sale
- Tobacco or alcohol products such as cigarettes, wine, liquor and beer
- Medicines, Vitamins and Supplements
- Live animals (except those slaughtered before purchase), fish and shellfish from the water
- Any non-food items such as pet food, cleaning and household items, stationery, hygiene products and cosmetics
Using this information, we can determine where you can use EBT to buy and deliver groceries online.
Where can you use EBT online?
You can use EBT online at the following stores:
- Amazon (this includes Amazon Fresh but not Whole Foods)
- walmart
- Safeway
- shopping gift
- Wright’s Market
- Fresh direct sales
- Instacart
- Kroger
- the public
These services offer delivery, but in many cases it may not always be that fast, so if it’s urgent, you may want to look for a service in your area that offers a curbside pickup option.
If you’re going to get something close to what you can order from Uber Eats but still use EBT, you can buy packaged sandwiches or frozen pizza.
These are powerful options for bypassing program restrictions because they’re not hot at the point of sale, but they don’t require you to cook.
Instead, the most you need to do is find a way to heat them.
How to pay online with EBT
You can pay online with EBT by looking for the option to add your card at checkout, as retailers that accept it will display it prominently on these pages.
When you see this option, you will need to enter your EBT card details and PIN just like a regular credit or debit card.
You also have the option to save your details and use your card as one of your regular payment methods for subsequent purchases.
Using EBT for online payments is an option only in some states, depending on whether the retailer or service you buy from is licensed by the government.
For example, Instacart does not accept EBT in Montana or Louisiana, but is approved to accept EBT in all other states.
What payment methods does Uber Eats accept?
Uber Eats accepts the following payment methods:
- credit card
- debit card
- Apple Pay
- Venmo
- Paypal
- cash
- gift card
To learn more, you can also read our posts on whether Uber Eats accepts Apple Pay, whether Uber Eats accepts cash, and whether Uber Eats is safe.
in conclusion
Unfortunately, Uber Eats does not accept EBT as the program does not apply to hot food at the point of sale. Uber Eats accepts credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, cash, Paypal, Venmo and Apple Pay.
No other major food delivery service accepts EBT, but you can use it online at select retailers and services like Amazon, Walmart, and Instacart.