Does Walgreens Take EBT?

If you’re a SNAP recipient, you’ve probably asked, “Does Walgreens take EBT?”

Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place because I can answer your question and provide more helpful information.

You can use your EBT food stamps at Walgreens, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies.

However, read my article before heading out to your local Walgreens.

Let’s begin.

What Is EBT?

EBT (or Electronic Benefits Transfer) is a payment method similar to a debit card. The only difference is that you use it to pay for food items.

Compared to physical food stamps, EBT cards have made it easier for low-income families and other people eligible for government support to buy food.

Handing out cards has also made it easier for authorities to track purchases, ensuring that the recipients use the funds appropriately.

EBT cards work with government programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF), and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Many people use the terms EBT and SNAP interchangeably without realizing that EBT is how they get their financial benefits from SNAP and other similar government programs.

Does Walgreens Take EBT?

Does Walgreens accept EBT? Yes.

While you can use your EBT card at most Walgreens stores, note that it’s a pharmaceutical company primarily selling medicines, vitamins, and supplements—products that SNAP and EBT don’t cover.

However, some Walgreens locations also sell food products, including fresh produce, meat, dairy, canned and frozen packaged goods, and perishable grocery items that are SNAP-eligible.

Simply put, you can use your EBT card at most Walgreens stores if you buy SNAP-eligible items.

What Are SNAP-Eligible Items?

You can use your EBT card at Walgreens to purchase these eligible items.

• Fresh foods like fruits and vegetables
• Frozen and canned foods
• Dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Bread and cereals
• Seeds and plants that grow food for the household
• Snacks
• Baked goods
• Non-alcoholic beverages
• Cooking oils
• Filtered water

You’ll notice that the list does not include vitamins, medicines, supplements, and health and wellness products, typical items you can find at Walgreens.

Furthermore, not every Walgreens store sells grocery food items that an EBT card covers.

How To Know if Your Local Walgreens Accepts EBT

Does Walgreens accept EBT? Yes, but select Walgreens stores don’t.

Walgreens doesn’t list stores that accept EBT. The only way to determine which Walgreens takes EBT is to contact your local store to ask whether they allow food stamps when buying SNAP-eligible items.

Even if your local Walgreens accepts EBT, remember there are limits to the products you can purchase. Unless it offers fresh produce, you’ll only find food items such as milk and other dairy products, bread, and cereal.

Here are some ways to find Walgreens locations that accept EBT.

Use the Walgreens Store Finder.

Walgreens’ website has this feature that allows you to locate the nearest stores by state, city, or zip code. When you enter your location, you can see all the stores in your area.

Contact the Store.

Unfortunately, Walgreens does not display whether or not a local store accepts EBT cards on its website. Thus, you need to contact the store to determine if they will take this payment method.

Visit the Store.

You can visit the nearest store and ask the cashier if the store accepts EBT cards.

Ask Your Local SNAP Office.

This agency can give you a list of all SNAP-approved retailers in your area.

Can I Use My EBT Card for Online Purchases?

You can’t use your EBT card as an online payment option at Walgreens, which means you won’t be able to place store pickup orders and home delivery.

Only SNAP retailers participating in the federal EBT pilot program can accept EBT cards as an online payment option. They include Amazon, Walmart, Dash’s Market, and Fresh Direct, just to name a few.

Walgreens is not yet part of USDA’s EBT pilot program that allows SNAP recipients to purchase online using their food stamps or EBT cards.

Other SNAP Retailers You Can Visit

Not every Walgreens store accepts EBT benefits. And if it does, most products there are not SNAP-eligible. As a result, you may want to visit other SNAP-approved retailers that sell food items allowable under SNAP rules.

Fortunately, most major grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, gas stations, and superstores, such as Walmart and Target, accept ​​EBT cards.

You can also use food stamps on Amazon, local food co-ops, fast food restaurants, bakeries, warehouse clubs, and farmer’s markets.

You may also want to contact your local SNAP office and ask them if there is an approved SNAP retailer nearby.

Products You Can’t Buy with an EBT Card at Walgreens

Here’s a list of typical products you can find at Walgreens that you can’t buy using your EBT card.

• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements
• Skincare products
• Household supplies like soaps, toilet paper, etc.
• Personal care products such as shampoo, lotion, hair conditioner, etc.
• Tobacco products
• Alcoholic beverages
• Diapers
• Pet supplies
• Hot foods from the deli or foods you eat in store

These shopping limitations apply to all Walgreens locations in the US.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does EBT Work Anywhere in the US?

Yes. You can use your SNAP EBT card in all 50 states (in stores that accept EBT), the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

What Is an EBT Card?

It looks and works like a debit or credit card. The primary difference is that the US federal government loads an EBT card with food stamps and cash benefits rather than your personal money.

You can use our EBT card in SNAP-approved retailers anywhere in the US.

Can I Use My EBT Card at Walgreens?

Yes, but with certain caveats. Remember, only some Walgreens locations accept EBT. Contact your nearest Walgreens location and verify if they accept EBT payments before buying eligible food items.

What Does Walgreens Sell?

Walgreens specializes in medicines, health information, and health and wellness products. However, some stores have started selling general goods and food items like dairy, baked goods, and frozen packaged foods.

Is It Easy to Find Walgreens Stores?

Yes. It currently operates more than 8,100 stores in all 50 states.

Can Someone Use My EBT Card on My Behalf?

Yes. You can designate someone to use your EBT card on your behalf, even though that person is not a member of your household or not part of the SNAP program.

Who Is Eligible for SNAP and EBT?

Contrary to popular belief, financial difficulties don’t automatically make someone eligible for SNAP and EBT.

Here are the eligibility requirements for SNAP:

• The gross monthly income before receiving any government benefit is 130% below the poverty line, which depends on the family size.

Note: Bigger families have higher poverty lines than smaller families.

• Even after applying all benefits to the net household income, it should still be lower than the poverty line.
• The total asset value should not go above the designated value. For families with no senior citizens or disabled members, it shouldn’t be over $2,500.

For families with an elderly member or a member with a disability, the limit stands at $3,750.

Are EBT and WIC the Same?

No. However, people often use EBT and WIC interchangeably. EBT is how you get financial benefits or food stamps from programs like SNAP and WIC.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) caters to pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women. However, its service also extends to their infants and children.

WIC provides food assistance, breastfeeding support, and breastfeeding referrals.

What Other Payment Methods Does Walgreens Accept?

Here are other payment options that Walgreens accepts.

• Credit or debit card (Visa, Discover Network, MasterCard, American Express, etc.)
• Check
• Gift cards
• Google Pay
• Apple Pay
• CareCredit

You can use any of these methods if you run out of SNAP benefits or want to pay for medicines, supplements, or items SNAP doesn’t cover.

How Do I Check My EBT Balance?

You can use an ATM to check your EBT balance before you visit Walgreens or any nearest store that accepts SNAP benefits.

You can also log on to the EBT cardholder portal or call their customer service number at 1-888-356-3281 to obtain your balance.

The Bottom Line

Most Walgreens locations accept EBT cards as a payment method to purchase eligible items like baked goods, vegetables and fruits, canned goods, and meat.

Nevertheless, you should call your local Walgreens and ask if they accept food stamps.

The good news is many stores besides Walgreens accept EBT cards.

Did you know that Costco takes EBT?