Does Walmart Accept EBT?

Yes. Walmart accepts EBT cards as payment. 

If you want to know how to use your EBT card at Walmart, you’ve come to the right place.

I wrote this guide on using your SNAP EBT cash benefits to purchase eligible food items at your local Walmart store.

Let’s begin.

Does Walmart Accept EBT Cards?

(Source: Wikipedia)

Yes. Walmart accepts EBT cards. Holders of EBT Cards can use their benefits to buy authorized food stamp goods at any Walmart outlet in the country.

What Are the Products You Can and Can’t Buy at Walmart Stores With EBT?

Using your SNAP benefits, you can purchase only eligible food items at Walmart and other grocery stores.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) decides what EBT cardholders can buy with food stamps.

For instance, you can purchase many groceries and food products you must cook and consume at home.

Products You Can Buy at Walmart Stores With Your EBT

(Source: MyTwinTiers.com)

• Poultry
• Red meat, including ground beef, steak, and ribs
• Pork products, including chops, bacon, tenderloin, and sausages
• Seafood
• Fish
• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Bread and cereals
• Snack foods
• Dairy Products, including milk, yogurt, and cheese
• Desserts, including ice cream, cookies, or brownies
• Alcohol-free drinks
• Soft drinks
• Cold sandwiches
• Salads
• Seeds and plants to produce food at home

Products You Can’t Buy With EBT Cards

(Source: Supermarket News)

You can’t use your SNAP EBT card to purchase the following items categorized as prepared food and non-food items:

• Vitamins
• Alcohol
• Beer
• Wine
• Liquor
• Cigarettes
• Tobacco
• Medications
• Supplements
• Live animals (except shellfish, fish taken out of the water, and animals slaughtered before being picked up from the store)
• Pet food
• Cleaning products
• Cosmetics

Why Can’t I Use My EBT Card To Buy Hot Food at Walmart?

(Source: Business Insider)

SNAP benefits are for people with little or no income.

SNAP payments or food stamp benefits give low-income individuals (and families) and individuals access to a range of meals to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

You can’t use your food stamp benefits to buy hot, ready-to-eat meals because these are often unhealthy. These foods negate the purpose of SNAP assistance.

Many fast-food establishments take EBT, but you can only buy cold food.

Does Walmart Accept EBT Online?

Yes. Walmart accepts EBT online. You can use your EBT card online to buy groceries online for pickup or delivery to your home.

Don’t hesitate to use your EBT funds online to buy EBT-eligible items at Walmart’s e-commerce store.

All states except these five take EBT online for grocery delivery.

• Arkansas
• Alaska
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Montana

How To Add an EBT Card to Your Walmart Account

According to Walmart, you’ll see a button to add your EBT card to your account if your local retailer offers EBT online.

Follow these steps to add your EBT Card to your Walmart account.

1. Log into your Walmart grocery account.

2. Select Payment Methods.

3. Enter your EBT card information and choose the Save Card option.

You can apply EBT Online with no-basket minimums once you link your EBT card to your account. The no-basket minimum may not appear on your account for up to 24 hours.

How To Pay Online with SNAP EBT

Here’s how to use SNAP EBT online.

1. Add Products to Your Cart.

You can add products to your cart after saving your EBT Card details.  Remember, you need a different payment method to purchase non-eligible items.

2. Go to Checkout.

Choose Checkout after viewing your cart. Click the EBT card checkbox on the Select payment method screen to continue.

You can decide whether to use the EBT Cash or EBT Food allotment. You can pay the remaining sum if you don’t have enough EBT funds using a credit or debit card.

3. Enter Your PIN.

To approve the transaction and finalize your Walmart order, choose Continue and enter your EBT card PIN.

For security reasons, the digits on the PIN pad will scramble after each entry. The website will redirect you to Walmart to finish placing your order after entering your PIN.

SNAP benefits cannot cover delivery fees and other related costs for delivery orders. You must pay these charges using a credit or debit card.

Using Your Snap EBT Card Online on the Walmart App

If you need to buy groceries on the go, installing the Walmart application on your phone is helpful.

The Walmart app makes it simple to use EBT and functions similarly to regular online grocery shopping.

Simply put your desired SNAP-eligible food items in the cart and choose “EBT Card” under the payment options.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) EBT Benefits

(Source: Food and Nutrition Service – US Department of Agriculture)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides financial assistance to low-income households and individuals via EBT. 

This initiative, formerly known as food stamps, assists families and individuals in using their cash benefits to buy food or other necessities.

Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is the process that distributes SNAP benefits (EBT cash) to participants. 

EBT transfers money (SNAP benefits) to participants’ payment cards, equivalent to personal debit or credit cards.

As an EBT cardholder, you can use your SNAP benefits at your local store (provided it’s an authorized retailer to purchase food and other EBT-eligible items. 

You can also use your EBT card to buy eligible food items and pay at Walmart’s online store.

How To Get an EBT Card

Here’s how to apply for SNAP benefits and get your EBT card.

1. Determine your SNAP Eligibility.

Before you can apply for SNAP benefits and get an EBT card, you must determine whether you meet your state’s eligibility requirements.

Your state’s SNAP office can look at your annual income and the funds in your bank accounts to decide your eligibility. Each state has different requirements, so contacting the SNAP office in your state to verify is best.

You can find your state’s SNAP office in the USDA Food and Nutrition Service’s online SNAP State Directory of Resources.

2. Apply for SNAP Benefits.

If your state decides you’re eligible, you can apply for SNAP benefits. Here’s the application process in a nutshell:

1. Contact your state’s SNAP office.

2. Apply for SNAP benefits.

Note: You can apply in person, online, by mail, or by fax, depending on your state’s requirements and guidelines. 

3. Wait for your SNAP office to contact and interview you.

4. Get your EBT card once your state’s SNAP office approves your application.

The Bottom Line

I hope my guide made it easier for you to understand how to use your EBT card at Walmart physical stores and Walmart online. Just remember that you can only buy eligible food items. 
The good thing about SNAP benefits is you can use your EBT card in other grocery stores, restaurants, and retailers. If you want to shop in other stores like Walmart, Target accepts EBT.