In the US, 68 million people use one or more government food assistance programs like WIC, and TANF, with 41.5 million people getting the SNAP benefit. The beneficiary under these programs gets an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card. And they can shop for specific foods with this. However, not all grocery stores accept these EBT cards. So before going grocery shopping, get to know which stores don’t accept EBT cards and why. Let us know about “Why Do Some Grocery Chains Not Accept EBT?”
The grocery stores that don’t accept mainly for two reasons – they did not get approved by the USDA (the US Department of Agriculture), administrating the assistance programs. Or they do not want to go through the procedure of getting approval.
Why Do Some Grocery Chains Not Accept EBT?
More than 20% of US citizens depend on EBT cards for their grocery shopping. But, sometimes they face problems due to the unacceptance of the card at certain grocery stores. Not all grocery chains in the US accept EBT cards. There are mainly two reasons for that.
- The concerned grocery chains failed to get the approval of the USDA for the EBT cards. To make this government assistance program transparent, the USDA has some regulations regarding the availability of staple foods. The grocery chains applying for a license need to meet those requirements. Stores can accept EBT only after they get a license.
- Sometimes, a grocery chain doesn’t want to go through the legal and other processes of getting approval. So they refrain from applying for a license. Or the store may want to deal with a specific group of clientele and choose not to apply.
- Other than the abovementioned reasons, if a store’s license laps or if it is found fraudulent in any case, the store will be unable to accept EBT cards.
The Requirements
The grocery chains that don’t accept EBT due to ineligibility fail to meet these criteria
- A retailer must have an inventory of at least three units of staple foods in three varieties. The foods categorized as staples are
- Bread, grains, and cereals
- Dairy products
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, fish, and poultry
The store also must sell perishable foods of at least two categories. Snacks, tea, coffee, soft drinks, and ready-to-eat foods are not considered staple foods.
- 50% or more of gross retail sales of a store must come from the abovementioned staple foods.
How To Apply To Get USDA Approved?
A grocery store or retailer must acquire a license from the USDA to be able to accept EBT cards and cash. To get the SNAP permit
- First, fulfill the eligibility criteria like the food variety, sale percentage, ownership of the grocery chain, etc. The permit is not transferable.
- Next, register and create an account on the USDA website. Registration is free.
- Contact the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) responsible for providing SNAP permits. You can apply online through their website or request a paper application to be mailed to your address. The contact number of FNS is 1-877-823-4369.
- Within 30 days, you will hear back from them to verify your documents.
- Once everything is approved, you will get your permit within the next 45 days.
If you get the SNAP permit, you can accept only SNAP EBT. But if you get an EBT permit, you can accept the card and EBT cash for any program.
Which Grocery Chains Accept EBT?
Most of the well-known grocery chains accept EBT. Those who don’t are mainly snack or beverage stores that don’t sell staple foods. Below is a list of both the store chains that accept EBT and those that don’t.
- Grocery chains accepting EBT
- Aldi
- Costco
- Dollar Tree
- Giant Food Stores
- Albertsons
- Harris Teeter
- Fred Meyer
- Target
- Walmart
- Jewel-Osco
- Dollar General
- Randall’s
- Vons
- Meijer
- Sam’s Club
- ShopRite
- Winn-Dixie
- Piggly Wiggly
- Trader Joe’s
- Wegmans
- Whole Foods
- Store Chains that don’t accept EBT
- Dominos
- Little Caesars
- Starbucks
- Pizza Hut
- DoorDash
- Burger King
- Cici’s Pizza
Conclusion
The grocery stores accepting EBT are large in number compared to those that don’t. Some farmer’s markets also accept EBT. In rural areas, the rules are slightly relaxed to help all people access basic foods. So, it is very easy to find a store near you that accept EBT. Additionally, the FNS has a SNAP Retailer locator that can locate your nearest EBT accepting store just by putting your location. And if you are a retailer wanting to enter the program, be sure to visit the official sites for clearer indication.
FAQ
- If I get SNAP approval from Texas, can I use my card in another state?
Yes, SNAP and other government assistance programs are interoperable, which means you can use your EBT cards at any store accepting EBT in all 50 US states and US territories.
- Which stores accept EBT cards in Ohio?
In Ohio, some stores that accept EBT are Dollar General, Peebles Food Mart, Walmart Superstore, Jefferson BILO, Jiffy Mart, Kroger’s, etc. Many farmer’s markets also accept EBT cards.
- Can I withdraw my EBT cash from the card?
No cash can be withdrawn from the EBT card. Money deposited in the EBT card can only be used through buying SNAP-approved food and grocery items.
- How long will it take to get approved for SNAP benefit?
After a person applies for the SNAP program and submits all his required documents, he will get approved for the SNAP benefits within 30 days.
