Target is among the leading grocery retailers in the US. For this reason, its many retail chains spread globally, and it has a wide variety of payment options–something that serves to smoothen the path for their countless customers. Thus, we arrive at the question: Does Target take EBT?
But this isn’t all. You might also want to find out more about the places you can use your EBT card and the items you can buy using it. If such is the case, you will find the information in this article very useful.
Does Target Accept EBT?
Yes, in the United States, all Target stores accept payment by EBT card. The best part? You could also enjoy the benefits associated with SNAP if you purchase categorical goods accepted under this program. However, it is impossible to use EBT cards for your online purchases as the card requires you to be present physically.
Failure to do this may disqualify you from enjoying the benefits associated with the SNAP program, thus the redundancy of your EBT card.
Does Target Accept EBT Online?
As mentioned before, Target doesn’t allow you to use your EBT card online. So, if you are looking to pay for your groceries or any other items at target.com using your card, it is time to abort the mission.
It is also important to note that you cannot use EBT to pay for curbside pickup or grocery delivery.
How To Use EBT Card At Target
The process of using your EBT card at Target is quite straightforward. As you go about your shopping, separate EBT-eligible products from their non-eligible counterparts. The cashier will then use the card in the same way as a regular debit card, keying in the four-digit pin or swiping it with the help of a magnetic strip.
However, as you sort your items, ensure you choose only those that are eligible under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). As the computer scans each of the items, it automatically applies the EBT discount on all the eligible items. In such cases, there is no need to separate the eligible items.
Also, if you are eligible for Child Support or WV Works Incentive benefits, it is possible to withdraw funds using EBT at particular ATMs. Paying using your EBT card at your local Target store will see you enjoying frequent cashback.
It is important to remember that if you try purchasing non-eligible for SNAP benefits using EBT, you risk your transaction not getting processed. However, let’s say you get caught attempting to purchase non-eligible items using your EBT card.
In that case, it is the work of your state’s food stamps agency to carry out an investigation and establish whether you broke the law before taking the necessary course of action. If they found you guilty of violating the law, you might be in for a severe penalty.
Does Target Take EBT At Self-Checkout?
Yes, Target lets you use your EBT card at Self-checkouts. This is actually easier compared to going to regular checkouts because, during scanning, the computer will apply the EBT discount on all eligible food items.
For this reason, keeping the eligible items separate won’t be necessary.
Does Starbucks In Target Take EBT?
Because most people view Starbucks as a luxury, non-essential brand, it isn’t an authorized retailer for SNAP. What this means is that Starbucks does not accept EBT at its company-owned stores. However, it does accept payment by EBT cards at several of its licensed stores located in retail stores and grocery stores.
As you may already know, Starbucks boasts over 6300 licensed stores in the US, so it may be possible to use your food stamps any time you go to a Starbucks that is located inside a grocery store such as Target that accepts EBT.
Here is a list of some of the food items you could pay for using EBT at Starbucks-licensed stores:
- Creamer
- Instant coffee
- Soft drinks
- Sandwiches
- Snacks
- Energy drinks
- Sweets
- Ground coffee
- Cold beverages
- Coffer beans
- Pumpkin bread
Generally, you can use your card to pay for any item with a nutritional label besides drinks and hot foods. One simple hack when using EBT is always to avoid ready-to-eat and hot foods intended to be taken on the premises.
Does Target Accept EBT For Formula?
Before getting an answer to this question, you should let the fact that baby formula qualifies as healthy, nutritious food sink in. with that being said, Target allows you to buy formula using your EBT card.
Baby formula is a nutritious food that supports infants’ health and supplements their nutritional needs. Since this is the purpose of the WIC program under SNAP, this food item is eligible for EBT.
As for the question of the limit of baby formula, one can buy, there isn’t any. You can buy any amount you wish, provided your WIC balance is sufficient to cater for the purchase. Other baby foods you can pay for using EBT include oatmeal, cereal, juice, apple mash, and several other infant foods taken by kids below five years of age. However, there are some foods you can’t buy using WIC funds.
They include luxury items that do not play a role in directly supplementing an infant’s health. Such items include breaded vegetables, fruit-nut mixes, feeding utensils, medicines, and vegetable-grain mixtures.
Other baby foods that you can purchase with EBT include:
- Eggs
- Milk
- Brown rice
- Oatmeal
- Infant food
- Cheese
- Canned fish
- Whole wheat pasta
- Whole wheat bread
- Whole wheat/ corn tortillas
- Fruit juice
- Cereals
- Filtered water
- Fruits and vegetables
- Yogurt
- Peanut butter
- Pastry goods, including cookies and muffins
- Crushed ice
Which Items Can You Buy and Which Ones Can’t You Buy at Target Using an EBT Card?
While Target allows you to use your EBT card at their stores, not all items are eligible. Your card is only for SNAP-eligible items. Such items include:
- Dairy products
- Meat, fish, and poultry
- Cereals
- Bread
- Snacks
- Fruits and vegetables
- Formula
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Here are those foods you can’t purchase using your card:
- Beer, wine, and liquor
- Cigarettes
- Medicines, vitamins, and supplements
- Live animals, except for shellfish, animals slaughtered before pickup, and fish
- Hot foods intended to be eaten on the premises
- Non-food items such as cosmetics, pet foods, cleaning supplies, and paper products
Want to learn more about Target? Check out these posts to learn what a super target is, how to delete purchase history on the Target app, and when does Target restock.
Conclusion
Target allows their customers to use EBT cards such as SNAP and WIC to pay for groceries, such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, among others.
WIC also allows you to buy formula and several infant specialist items. You should, however, keep in mind that Target only allows EBT cards at certain stores, and making online payments isn’t an option.