Instacart has really been a lifesaver for ordering food and groceries online with fast delivery right to your doorstep. Thanks to its 24/7 shopping and delivery service, Instacart users can relax and place orders at any time of any day.
As is expected of an online shopping store, Instacart offers its users a list of payment options to choose from. So, when shopping, you’re to choose your preferred payment method from the list provided by Instacart.
This, however, begs the question; does Instacart take EBT? The simple answer is; yes, Instacart accepts EBT. If you’re a beneficiary of EBT, then this article is for you.
Does Instacart Accept EBT?
Yes. Instacart accepts EBT. In November 2020, Instacart launched its EBT and SNAP payment method. This basically allowed EBT beneficiaries to pay for groceries and enjoy discounts on deliveries using their EBT cards. Since launching its EBT and SNAP payment options, Instacart has integrated the new payment methods with at least 40 retail partners.
Simply put, you can pay with EBT or SNAP in at least 40 retail stores associated with Instacart.
Besides ordering for groceries that accept EBT payment, Instacart also allows users to pay for snacks and other convenience items via EBT and SNAP payments.
The Convenience Hub on Instacart has a wide inventory of snacks, essential items and ingredients that you can pay for with your EBT or SNAP card.
What is EBT?
Imagine that you’re low on groceries and also low on money in your bank account. Hunger doesn’t care when your next payday is, and you definitely have to it. What that means is that you must find some other means to sort the bill for your groceries. This is where EBT comes in.
EBT basically means Electronic Benefit Transfer. It is an electronic state welfare system that pays out a bit of funds to beneficiaries so they can meet their basic needs.
Think of it like a state owned bursary for groceries that comes in handy when you’re stuck. EBT is primarily designed to cater for low income earners, and it comes with an electronic card.
An EBT card works just like any other debit card. It can be used to buy mostly fresh and uncooked food as specified by the state welfare department. Although there are a lot of stores that are yet to accept EBT as a mode of payment, there are also retail and online stores like Instacart that accept it.
EBT is best known as “food stamps”, and with it you can either enjoy free food, groceries, or cash to cover the cost of groceries. EBT began under the Food Stamp Program around 2004, and evolved into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). While it’s currently known as EBT or SNAP, it’s best known by its old name “food stamps”.
Where Can I Pay With EBT?
Not all Instacart retail partners accept EBT or SNAP payment. Some of the retail stores that accept EBT and SNAP on Instacart include;
- PAQ Inc (Food 4 Less California and Rancho San Miguel)
- ALDI
- Food Bazaar
- Market 32
- Ahold Delhaize USA
- Little Giant Farmer’s market
- Earthfare
- Fairplay Foods
- Food Lion
- Homeland
- Brookshire’s
- Woodman’s Markets
- My County Market
- Harps Food Stores
- and Publix
Can You Use EBT or SNAP For Grocery Delivery on Instacart?
EBT and SNAP payments can be used in place of regular debit cards for grocery deliveries on Instacart. The beauty about this is that there are special discounts on delivery and pickup for EBT and SNAP orders. All you need to enjoy the discounts is to shop with a valid EBT or SNAP card that’s linked to your Instacart shopping account.
Although there are a lot of retail stores that accept EBT and SNAP payments for orders on Instacart, that doesn’t automatically mean that they accept EBT and SNAP for delivery.
Quite a lot of retail stores only accept EBT and SNAP payments strictly for grocery orders, not delivery or pickup. Nevertheless, just as Instacart is gradually integrating EBT and SNAP payments with most of its retail partners, it’s only a matter of time before they do the same for grocery deliveries.
If you’re hoping to place your order and pay for delivery using your EBT or SNAP card, then you’ll have to browse through Instacart’s existing list of retail partners. Here are some of the stores that accept EBT and SNAP payment for orders and delivery;
- ALDI
- Food Maxx
- Food Lion
- Market 32
- Save Mart
- Market Bistro
- Lucky Supermarkets
How To Pay With Your EBT or SNAP Card On Instacart?
Before you can use your EBT or SNAP card on Instacart, you have to set it up as an alternative mode of payment on your Instacart account. Here’s how to setup your EBT or SNAP Card on Instacart;
- First create an Instacart shopping profile.
- Once your Instacart account is verified and running, click on Account Setting.
- In your account setting, click on payment options and select “Add EBT Card”.
- Input your EBT Card details as required and save.
- Click on “Add Another Card” to link your regular debit card to your Instacart account. This is important especially if you’ll be shopping for products that are not eligibile for EBT or SNAP payment.
- Add your city’s ZIP code. This will show you if your city is eligible for the EBT program, and will also show you all the retail stores near you that accept EBT or SNAP payment.
- When shopping on Instacart, click on your search filter and add EBT eligible items. This will rearrange your shopping result to show all EBT eligible products first.
- Add as much EBT products as you want to your card and proceed to make payments. Select your EBT card as your payment method.
- Choose your delivery option; pickup or doorstep delivery. Depending on the store you’re shopping from, you might be able to pay for delivery with your EBT card.
What Products Can I Buy With An EBT Card?
Generally, uncooked food and convenience items are eligible for EBT or SNAP payment on Instacart. Some of the items you can buy with your EBT card include;
- Milk and some other dairy products
- Cereals
- Fresh vegetables and fruits
- Meat, fish and poultry produce
- Bottled water and other non-alcoholic beverages
- Snacks
What Products Are Ineligible For EBT or SNAP Payment?
So long as its not a food item, then it’s most likely ineligible for EBT or SNAP payment. Some items ineligible for EBT or SNAP benefits include;
- Alcoholic beverages
- Non-food products
- Tobacco or any nicotine product
- Steroids and bodybuilding supplements
- Cooked foodstuffs and ready-to-eat meals that are not under EBT or SNAP specifications.
Yes, Instacart accepts EBT SNAP benefits. People with low income who receive their SNAP benefits through EBT can link their cards to Instacart. They can use them in selected stores across the US.
Who Is Eligible For EBT or SNAP Payment On Instacart?
In a bid to cater for low income families, the US welfare agency started the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in 2004. This ensured that low income earners and families could easily afford healthy groceries.
As such, the general idea is that low income earners are the primary beneficiaries of EBT or SNAP.
While Instacart has been given the authorization to accept EBT and SNAP payments, there are still some restrictions. At the moment, customers from all states in the United States except Alaska, Montana, and Louisiana can use EBT or SNAP as alternative payment methods on Instacart.
As it stands, users from the restricted states will have to wait a while until their states are integrated into the EBT and SNAP pilot program.
Want to learn more about Instacart? Check out our related posts to learn if Instacart delivers cigarettes, does Instacart deliver alcohol, and can you work for Shipt and Instacart?
Conclusion…
The government of the United States is committed towards meeting the needs of its people, especially the low income earners. The food stamps program has gradually evolved with technology into what is known as EBT.
Customers no longer have to carry paper cards or food stamps to retail stores anymore as EBT cards are the latest innovation.
Besides the convenience of using an EBT card online, Instacart EBT users can avoid potential mockery for using food stamps offline. No doubt, Instacart has made the whole process of integrating EBT as a mode of payment seamless.
With only a few clicks on the Instacart app, users can set up their EBT cards, filter the products result to show mainly EBT eligible items, and shop without worry.