Times are going tough these days, and it can be even worse without the guidance of an EBT or a SNAP Card! Whenever we talk about home delivery, it is no quick fact that it is now considered a superior and exclusive service in these times of hustle!
Our article recently showed how to track my EBT card in the mail. Now, we will analyze whether Instacart accepts EBT.
Does Instacart accept EBT?
Instacart accepts EBT Cards and SNAP Benefits in Aldi stores in 38 U.S.U.S.tes. Instacart cannot get EBT cash. Instacart joined the USDA pilot program that allows online purchasing for EBT customers, and in the future, the number of stores that accept EBT will expand. Amazon and Walmart accept EBT payments online from every state. Customers in the U.S. for online orders with a valid EBT card, in whole or in part, from participating Aldi stores in select states:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Does Instacart take food stamps?
Grocery delivery platform Instacart will accept food stamps starting in October 2020. Aldi stores in 38 U.S. stores (listed above) use EBT cards as SNAP Benefits.
So what do we do? Don’t worry, as Instacart isn’t your only option, and EBT isn’t about limitations. One needs to know many things about using online delivery services with government assistance. How? Keep scrolling with attention to find out!
People have been busy in these modern times because online grocery shopping has become famous. Earlier, people used to buy groceries by going to supermarkets, waiting in lines, and making payments! But now? The entire work has gone on automation, thanks to our sophisticated applications! Now, we can buy everything online, even our groceries.
EBT alternative
Unfortunately, this convenient and savior of time option of online grocery shopping has been unavailable to people who use SNAP/EBT advantages to purchase groceries.
Online stores, however, accept online payment through EBT from almost every state.
However, there are also some rules you need to know about when buying your groceries through EBT online. First, you can purchase EBT-eligible items alone; second, you cannot pay delivery tips, extra fees, or any other charges with your SNAP Benefits. You’ll have to pay them separately using a different mode of payment.
Unluckily, as Instacart is not a part of The USDA Pilot Program, it cannot accept EBT as a payment mode for delivery or pickup.
ALDI Deliveries
Like Walmart, Aldi uses the famous Instacart for its delivery services. However, as Instacart is not part of the USDA Pilot Plan or strategy that permits online purchasing for EBT cardholders, it’s impossible to use EBT for Aldi Delivery. It would help if you used a different payment mode to deliver your groceries from Aldi.
Ordering groceries to be sent by Instacart is easy if you use the online portal or mobile application. You need to enter some personal information, like your postal or zip code, to show which stores are available in the surrounding area. As Instacart doesn’t work everywhere, you need to finalize the store that pops up on your app or website.
Once you’ve selected your store, you can fill in your cart and place your order. Your Instacart demands are usually delivered in an hour.
The transaction is complete when the driver delivers the groceries to your doorstep. Also, always tip your driver without fail when he delivers your groceries.
Does Walmart accept EBT?
Walmart accepts EBT cards at all participating Walmart Online Pickup & Delivery locations as part of the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). It also takes SNAP benefits and food stamps in all areas.
EBT can be used for Walmart delivery. However, it is available mainly in New York State for now. You can still use EBT/SNAP for Walmart grocery pickup, depending on your city. You have to order your groceries at walmart.com or the Walmart mobile app. Just put all your groceries in the cart and select when you want to go and get your groceries. Don’t forget to choose an EBT Card as the mode of payment. A Walmart person could assist you while swiping your card during pickup time.
The associate will also be aware that you will be paying through EBT when you’re there to get your groceries. He’ll also inform you about any items that are not meant to be paid for by EBT, for which you can use any other mode of payment, such as a credit or debit card.
This option might not be as easy and convenient as the delivery. Still, it’s comparatively comfortable for the person taking you to the store as they won’t have to bore themselves for an hour or more while you purchase groceries. Also, it would save you the guilt of making people wait for you.
However, it would help to remember that the advantages of using EBT/SNAP for pickup are unavailable in some states.
The following states offer the above benefit as of date:
- “Arkansas
- Alaska
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Mississippi
- Montana
- North Dakota
- South Carolina
- Utah”
Okay, just for your concerns and clarity, we recommend you try this out even if your state isn’t on the list, as Walmart might not have read and added data to its website yet. Try putting some items in your cart, acting like you’re going to be checked out, and see whether the app or website provides you with the option to pay with EBT. It might be possible that the USDA has permitted other states, and it just hasn’t been put into the major yet.
Can you use EBT on Amazon?
Amazon accepts EBT cards that can be used as a payment method on Amazon.com. Items must be sold and shipped by Amazon.com or Amazon Fresh.
Customers in select states can use the SNAP/EBT to order groceries, mainly from Amazon Groceries, Amazon Pantry, and Amazon Fresh. Being the EBT Cardholder, you’re eligible for a significant coupon or discount on Amazon Prime. Please remember you must file your EBT card on Amazon to use it.
If you’re not an Amazon customer, you must create an online presence first. Once you’ve done that, enter your SNAP EBT card information and ZIP Code. You can also save your EBT Card information at checkout.
You won’t even require a membership to Amazon Prime to shop Amazon Fresh with your EBT card. Still, as the Amazon States, “Amazon accepts SNAP EBT in all states worldwide except Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, and Montana.
We know this thing is pretty cool, but guess what? Let us share something even more incredible! You’ll also be delighted to hear that “Amazon offers a legit 50% discount on Amazon Prime for EBT and Medicaid cardholders.”
Ordering groceries from Amazon with EBT is better than shopping from Instacart, as Instacart’s rates are 15% longer than the grocery stores on average. This can be expensive if you have a large family to feed.
Does Doordash accept EBT?
DoorDash does not accept EBT as payment because it is not part of the USDA pilot program. Another reason is that DoorDash delivers food to restaurants where EBT cards can not be used.
Doordash may be an excellent option for having your groceries from Walmart delivered to your home. DoorDash delivers to Walmart in around 46 states. Also, they charge a reasonable price compared to store prices. Walmart, however, recommends that drivers do not tip. Unfortunately, Doordash rejects EBT as a mode of payment as DoorDash typically provides food delivery for restaurants, and EBT cannot be used to purchase hot, prepared foods. DoorDash is not a part of the USDA pilot program.
Now we know that Instacart rejects EBT for delivery and pickup services. You can also not use EBT for Aldi and Walmart Delivery, as they use Instacart to provide delivery services. EBT cannot be used with DoorDash, either.
If you’re using EBT as a payment mode, you still have other options for essential services, such as Amazon and Walmart pickup, and you may even get discounts on Amazon Prime membership with an EBT card.
After leaving Wells Fargo Bank in 2014, Daniel began a career as a finance consultant, advising companies and individuals on economic policy, labor relations, and financial management.
At Promtfinance.com, Daniel writes about personal finance topics, value estimation, budgeting strategies, retirement planning, and portfolio diversification.
Read more on Daniel Smith's biography page.
Contact Daniel: daniel@promtfinance.com