Does Costco accept EBT? (yes and no…)
If you have an EBT card, you must know how confusing it can be to keep track of what you can and cannot use. Some stores accept EBT cards, while others do not. Additionally, state law determines what you can and cannot buy with these cards.
Costco is a special store that allows you to save a lot of money when buying in bulk. But this begs the question: Can you use an EBT card to buy from Costco? To help answer this question, we’ve compiled this comprehensive guide. Read on to discover more…
Does Costco accept EBT?
Costco does use EBT cards at all of its locations. Costco complies with state laws about what you can and cannot buy with your Snap EBT card. While you can use your EBT card on groceries, it cannot be used at Costco gas stations or their food court.
To learn all about how to use your EBT card at Costco, read on
How to use EBT at Costco
Shopping for groceries at Costco is easy. However, if you want to buy groceries and other items like vitamins or diapers, make sure to deal with the groceries first.
To do this, the two orders must be paid separately. Alternatively, you can ask the cashier to split the payment method based on your total order amount.
If your EBT card has some cash and you pay from a cash account, the card will not debit your SNAP account for food. Instead, the total order amount, including the cost of groceries payable by SNAP, will be debited from the cash account. If this happens, you’ll have very little money left to cover your non-food items until your benefits are renewed.
Knowing all this, you can pay at Costco with your EBT card by following these steps:
- After the cashier finishes calling your groceries, insert or swipe your EBT card at the point of sale and proceed to enter your PIN
- Tell the cashier which account the order will be charged from (could be cash or SNAP)
- If required, re-enter your PIN to confirm
- In some cases, a manager or supervisor may ask for photo identification for confirmation
After checkout, the total amount of your purchase will be debited from your Cash or SNAP account.
Does Costco accept EBT online?
While you can use EBT cards at all Costco warehouse stores, you cannot use them to pay for your groceries on the Costco website. Instead, the site accepts Discover, MasterCard, Visa, Costco Shop Cards, and Citi’s Costco Anywhere Visa for online grocery orders.
You can use SNAP benefits for your grocery delivery and pickup orders at other retailers like Amazon, Albertsons, ShopRite, and Kroger. However, if you plan to pay for delivery or pickup using your EBT card, you should keep in mind that you will incur additional charges that will be covered by your SNAP benefit.
Can you use EBT at Costco food courts?
Unfortunately, you cannot pay with your SNAP/EBT benefits at Costco’s food court. However, if you have some money in your cash account, you may be able to pay for your food under your state’s SNAP laws.
Information on the Costco website shows that Costco warehouses accept cash, checks, VISA cards, ATM and debit cards, and EBT cards. Unlike buying groceries at Costco, which requires you to be a Costco member, non-members can dine at Costco’s food court at no extra cost.
So if a Costco warehouse near you has a food court, you don’t need a membership card to place an order. Also, it is important to note that if you are in a long checkout queue and wish to place your order at the food court, ask the cashier to add up your order and pay for your items at the food court at the main checkout line.
After checking out, find your way to the food court and show your receipt to the person at the counter. When you place an order at checkout, all you need to do is swipe your card.
What can you buy at Costco with EBT?
Like many convenience stores, at Costco, you can use your EBT card to pay for your items and use grocery transactions. However, depending on your state’s SNAP laws, your card may not be used to buy ready-made food and other household items.
Other products not eligible for SNAP benefits include pet food, medicines and vitamins. Also, you cannot use SNAP benefits to pay for tobacco products or alcohol at Costco. But you can use your discretionary cash to buy these ineligible items.
Does the cashier know when you use EBT?
At many convenience stores, the cashier will see when you’re paying for groceries with your EBT card because you have to let the machine know which card you’re using.
Larger stores use scanners to record items that are eligible for payment with an EBT card.
How do you apply for an EBT card?
EBT Card is an acronym that stands for Electronic Benefit Transfer. This is the card you get if you apply for SNAP benefits and are approved. Once you sign up for the program, you will receive money on your card every month. The purpose of this money is to help you buy food for yourself and your loved ones.
If you are interested in getting an EBT card, it is important to remember that the application process is simple. However, eligibility factors vary by state.
The US government designed the SNAP program for low-income families, but the definition of “low-income” varies by region. Therefore, once you complete your application, your state agency will decide if you are eligible for SNAP benefits.
What are the advantages of using an EBT card?
In most cases, EBT-eligible people are confused about where to use them. If this is you, it may be important to consider the benefits these cards offer. The most notable benefit of these cards is that you receive money each month for food purchases.
capture? No one will ask you to repay the money. Plus, all groceries you buy with your EBT card are tax-free. Finally, having a card that gives you all of these benefits means you don’t have to wait for old-fashioned food stamps or vouchers. You just check your card monthly to see if it has cash.
Want to learn more about where EBT cards can and cannot be used? Check out our related article to find out if Whole Foods accepts EBT cards or if Amazon accepts EBT
in conclusion
Costco members can take advantage of low prices on groceries, household essentials and more.
Membership fees currently range from $60 to $120 per year for membership, but it all depends on your preferred benefits. Fortunately, Costco accepts EBT from members.
This way, families with food stamps can enjoy discounts and incentives at all Costco stores.