Does Amazon accept EBT? (How it works and eligible items!)
With so many people now buying groceries online and through Amazon, it makes you wonder if Amazon accepts EBT?
I did some research to see if Amazon actually accepts EBT (previously more commonly known as food stamps).
Does Amazon accept SNAP EBT?
Amazon does accept SNAP EBT (formerly Food Stamps) benefits starting in 2021. You can use your EBT on Amazon Fresh, Amazon Grocery, Amazon Pantry, and many eligible Amazon.com products. Best of all, those enrolled in the SNAP EBT program receive an exclusive discount on Amazon Prime membership.
If you want to learn more about Amazon and EBT payments, you’ve come to the right place. Read on for the boring details of what is and isn’t EBT-eligible.
Which Amazon products are eligible for EBT?
SNAP EBT foods must meet health requirements and standards to ensure families stay healthy and get enough nutrients to meet their needs.
Because of these SNAP requirements, Amazon must comply with the program’s rules or risk being unable to participate in the EBT program.
Common and popular EBT items you can buy on Amazon are:
- Fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables
- Fresh, frozen and canned beef, pork, poultry and other meat products
- Fresh, Frozen and Canned Seafood
- dairy products, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter
- Nuts, chips, cookies, pretzels and other snacks
- Frozen aisle items like pizza and potatoes
- Candy bars, cookies, cakes, pies and other baked goods
- Flour, sugar, oil and other baked goods
What can’t you buy on Amazon with SNAP EBT?
Non-grocery items such as clothing, home decor, or technology are not eligible for the program. Amazon will not process your SNAP EBT payment for these items.
Pet food and infant formula are also not eligible for the program. Alcoholic products such as liquor, beer, and spirits are also not available for purchase through Amazon’s EBT.
This also applies to many common household items such as cosmetics, vitamins, toilet paper, paper towels and personal hygiene products.
Any item that you cannot buy at the grocery store through SNAP EBT also cannot be purchased on Amazon through this program.
Can you pay for Amazon Prime with EBT?
You cannot pay for your Amazon Prime membership with EBT. However, if you are enrolled in the SNAP EBT program, you are eligible for an exclusive discounted Prime membership.
Other government programs such as Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)) are also eligible for discounted Prime membership.
Can you buy EBT items and non-EBT items in the same transaction?
When shopping at your local supermarket, you can use your EBT card to pay for eligible items. Non-eligible items (balance) can be paid with cash or card.
Amazon follows the same procedure. You can have one cart and pay for all ineligible items on a separate card or use Amazon Cash.
Amazon Cash allows you to use paper money. Simply go to a participating location and add a cash balance to your Amazon account.
Whichever method you choose, you can choose EBT payment and a separate card (or cash) to pay your balance at checkout.
Can you use Amazon coupons on EBT purchases
Amazon does not accept paper coupons. However, they do have their own coupons that you can use on their own products, including many EBBT-eligible items.
If you use SNAP, you are also free to use any and all eligible coupons on your order.
You can view the daily coupons on the Amazon homepage, or check directly for discounts when adding groceries to your cart.
Can you use SNAP EBT cash or other payment methods on Amazon?
The SNAP program allows participants to use EBT funds and EBT cash as well as credit, debit and gift cards when shopping on Amazon.
One difference, though, is that EBT funds are used only for eligible groceries, while EBT Cash includes general-purpose funds to help support families.
If you have EBT products and ineligible products, you will not be able to complete the transaction without adding another payment method for the remaining balance.
Does Amazon offer free grocery delivery for SNAP EBT orders?
If you meet the minimum order requirements, you are eligible for free shipping on SNAP EBT orders.
Many shoppers stock up on their weeks’ worth of groceries in order to qualify for free shipping.
Both EBT and non-EBT products count towards the minimum spend for free shipping.
Note that Amazon Grocery and Amazon Fresh have different minimum requirements and methods for calculating free shipping requirements.
Amazon Grocery has free shipping for as low as $25. Amazon Prime members automatically qualify for Amazon Fresh, with free local delivery with a minimum spend of $35 in select cities.
Regardless of your payment method (EBT, credit/debit card, Amazon Cash), as long as you meet the minimum spend requirements, you are eligible for free shipping.
If you want to learn more about Amazon, check out our related posts on whether Whole Foods accepts EBT, how late Amazon delivers, and when Amazon charges you.
in conclusion…
Amazon is a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) partner and accepts EBT payments from customers.
Amazon offers many EBT-eligible items to its customers through its many programs, such as Amazon Grocery, Amazon Food Pantry, and Amazon Fresh. Amazon will accept EBT payments if the item is eligible for the SNAP program.
