BJ’s Wholesale Club accepts Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards as a form of payment. This allows individuals who receive government assistance to purchase eligible food items at BJ’s stores. EBT cards are issued by state agencies to individuals and families who qualify for food assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). To use an EBT card at BJ’s, customers must present it at the checkout counter along with a valid form of identification. Only eligible food items can be purchased with EBT cards, and the amount that can be spent is limited to the available balance on the card.
Food Stamps Acceptance at Bj’s
Bj’s Wholesale Club does accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food stamps as a form of payment for eligible food items. However, it’s important to note that some restrictions apply, and not all items sold at Bj’s are eligible for purchase with food stamps. This article provides an overview of SNAP acceptance at Bj’s, including eligible food items, ineligible items, and important considerations when using food stamps at Bj’s.
Eligible Food Items
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products
- Bread and cereal
- Snacks and beverages (if they are not considered “junk food”)
- Seeds and plants that produce food for the household to consume
Ineligible Items
- Alcohol
- Tobacco products
- Vitamins and supplements
- Pet food
- Household items
- Restaurant-prepared foods
- Foods that are hot at the point of sale
Important Considerations
- Bj’s requires customers to use their SNAP benefits as a form of payment at the checkout register, similar to using a debit card.
- SNAP benefits cannot be used for non-food items, services, or items not eligible for SNAP purchase.
- Bj’s may limit the amount of SNAP benefits that can be used in a single transaction.
- Customers are responsible for knowing which items are eligible for SNAP purchase and which items are not.
- SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase items online at Bj’s website.
| SNAP-Eligible Food Groups | Examples of Eligible Items at Bj’s | Examples of Ineligible Items at Bj’s |
|---|---|---|
| Fruits and vegetables | Fresh produce, frozen fruits and vegetables, canned fruits and vegetables | Fruit snacks, fruit juices that have added sugars |
| Meat, poultry, and fish | Fresh meat, poultry, and fish, frozen meat, poultry, and fish, canned meat, poultry, and fish | Pre-cooked or breaded meats, meat snacks |
| Dairy products | Milk, yogurt, cheese, butter, eggs | Ice cream, sherbet, flavored milk |
| Bread and cereal | Bread, tortillas, pasta, rice, cereal | Cookies, cakes, pastries, candy |
| Snacks and beverages | Nuts, seeds, popcorn, crackers, pretzels, chips (if they are not considered “junk food”) | Soda, energy drinks, sports drinks, candy, chips (if they are considered “junk food”) |
Eligibility Requirements for Food Stamps
To qualify for food stamps, you must meet certain eligibility requirements set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). These requirements include:
- Income Limits: Your household’s gross income must be at or below 130% of the federal poverty level. Gross income includes all income from all sources, before taxes and deductions.
- Asset Limits: Your household’s assets must be at or below $2,250 for a household of one, $3,500 for a household of two, and $4,750 for a household of three or more. Assets include cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and vehicles.
- Work Requirements: Able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 49 without dependents are required to work or participate in a work program to receive food stamps. This requirement is waived for certain individuals, such as students, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.
- Citizenship and Residency: You must be a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or certain non-citizens to receive food stamps. You must also live in the state where you are applying for benefits.
In addition to these general eligibility requirements, there are also special eligibility rules for certain groups of people, such as the elderly, disabled, and homeless.
| Household Size | Gross Income Limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $1,288 |
| 2 | $1,729 |
| 3 | $2,170 |
| 4 | $2,611 |
| 5 | $3,052 |
| 6 | $3,493 |
| 7 | $3,934 |
| 8 | $4,375 |
Locations That Accept Food Stamps
Bj’s Wholesale Club accepts food stamps at all of its locations in the United States. This includes both the brick-and-mortar stores and the online store.
To use food stamps at Bj’s, you will need to have a valid Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. You can use your EBT card to purchase eligible food items at Bj’s, just like you would use a debit card. You can also use your EBT card to pay for online orders from Bj’s.
There are a few things to keep in mind when using food stamps at Bj’s:
- You can only use food stamps to purchase eligible food items. Eligible food items include fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, bread, cereal, and snacks. You cannot use food stamps to purchase non-food items, such as clothing, electronics, or household goods.
- You can only use food stamps to purchase food for your household. You cannot use food stamps to purchase food for others.
- You will need to show your EBT card to the cashier at the time of purchase. The cashier will swipe your card and enter the amount of your purchase. You will then be able to pay for your purchase with your EBT card.
- You can use your EBT card to purchase food online from Bj’s. Simply add the items you want to purchase to your online shopping cart and then select “EBT” as your payment method. You will then be prompted to enter your EBT card information. Once you have entered your EBT card information, you can complete your purchase.
| State | Number of Bj’s Wholesale Clubs |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 3 |
| Alaska | 0 |
| Arizona | 6 |
| Arkansas | 3 |
| California | 28 |
| Colorado | 4 |
| Connecticut | 4 |
| Delaware | 2 |
| Florida | 23 |
| Georgia | 10 |
Does Bj’s Accept EBT/Food Stamps?
Yes, BJ’s Wholesale Club accepts EBT/Food Stamps as a form of payment for eligible food items in stores located in the following states:
- California
- Connecticut
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Virginia
To use EBT/Food Stamps at BJ’s Wholesale Club, you must have a valid EBT card and PIN. You can use your EBT card to purchase eligible food items at the checkout counter. You cannot use EBT/Food Stamps to purchase tobacco products, alcohol, or other non-food items.
| State | Accepts SNAP Through Online Ordering | Accepts SNAP Benefits Through Integrated POS System |
|---|---|---|
| California | No | Yes |
| Connecticut | No | Yes |
| Maryland | No | Yes |
| Massachusetts | No | Yes |
| New York | No | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | No | Yes |
| Rhode Island | No | Yes |
| Vermont | No | Yes |
| Virginia | No | Yes |
Alternative Payment Methods
In addition to EBT/Food Stamps, BJ’s Wholesale Club also accepts the following forms of payment:
- Cash
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
- BJ’s Gift Cards
- BJ’s Perks Rewards Mastercard
Thanks for taking the time to read my article about whether or not Bj’s accepts food stamps. I truly hope I was able help shed some light on the topic. As always, I’m more than happy to answer any other questions you may have, so feel free to drop me a line anytime. In the meantime, be sure to check back soon for more informative and engaging content. See you next time!