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!
In our article, we recently showed how to track my EBT card in the mail. Now, we will analyze does instacart accept EBT.
Does Instacart accept EBT?
Instacart accepts EBT Cards and SNAP Benefits in 38 U.S. states in Aldi stores. Instacart cannot get EBT cash. Instacart joined the USDA pilot program that allows online purchasing for EBT customers, and in the future number of stores that accept EBT will expand. Amazon and Walmart accept EBT payments online from every state. Customers in the UU.S.can pay 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 accepts food stamps from October 2020. Aldi stores in 38 UU.S.states (list above) use EBT Cards as SNAP Benefits.
So what do we do? Don’t worry, as Instacart isn’t the only option you have, 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 their 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.
But there are also some rules you need to know about when buying your groceries through EBT online. First, one is that you can single-handedly purchase EBT eligible items; secondly, you cannot pay delivery tips or extra fees, or any other charges with your SNAP Benefits. You’ll have to pay them separately from 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
Aldi, like Walmart, uses the very famous Instacart for its delivery services. As instacart is not a 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 get your groceries delivered 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 of your personal information like your postal or the zip code to show which stores are there in the surrounding area. As instacart isn’t to work everywhere, you need to finalize the store which pops up on your app or website.
Once you’ve selected your store, you can fill in your cart and place your order. Usually, your instacart demands get delivered in an hour.
The transaction completes when the driver comes with 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 SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Walmart 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 the time being. You can still use EBT/SNAP for Walmart grocery pickup, depending on the city you reside in. You have to order your groceries at walmart.com or the Walmart mobile app. Just put all your groceries in the cart, select the time you want to go, and get your groceries. Don’t forget to choose an EBT Card as the mode of payment. The Walmart person would be able to assist you while swiping your card at the time of pickup.
The associate would 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 which are not meant to be paid for by EBT, for which you can use any other mode of payment such as a credit or a 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 your groceries. Also, it would save you the guilt of making people wait for you.
However, it would help to remember that using EBT/SNAP advantages for pickup is 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 their website yet. Try putting some items in your cart, act like you’re going to be checked out, and see whether the app or website provides you the option to pay with EBT, as 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 the select states’ can use the SNAP/EBT to order groceries on mainly 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 that you need to file your EBT card on Amazon to use it.
If you’re not the Amazon Customer, you need to create an online presence first. Once you’ve done that, you need to enter your SNAP EBT card information and your ZIP Code. You can also save up your EBT Card information at checkout.
You won’t even require a membership of 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% extended 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. DoorDash is not a part of the USDA pilot program. Another reason is that DoorDash delivers food to restaurants where EBT cards can not be used.
Using Doordash may be a good option if you want to have your grocery from Walmart delivered at home. DoorDash delivers for Walmart in around 46 States. Also, charge at a reasonable price than that of store prices. Walmart, however, recommends no tipping to the drivers. DoorDash, Unfortunately, rejects EBT as a mode of payment as DoorDash typically provides delivery for food 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 as well.
You still have other options for essential services if you’re using EBT as a payment mode, such as the pickup of amazon and Walmart, and you may even get discounts on the membership of Amazon Prime 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