You can utilize your EBT card on Amazon to purchase eligible food items. First, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) website to confirm your EBT card eligibility for online purchases. Register or sign in to your Amazon account and link your EBT card as a payment method. Select the preferred EBT payment option during checkout. Amazon allows you to split payments between EBT and other payment methods if your EBT balance doesn’t cover the total cost. Keep in mind that only specific food products are eligible for purchase using EBT, and you can check the product’s description for eligibility. Furthermore, there may be restrictions on the types of EBT cards accepted by Amazon, so it’s best to verify with your state’s EBT program office.
Approved Food Stamps on Amazon
To combat food insecurity and extend access to nutritious food, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to eligible households. Also known as food stamps, SNAP benefits enable individuals to purchase food items from approved retailers, including a select number of online retailers, among them, Amazon.
Shopping Online with Food Stamps
- Create an Amazon Account: Begin by creating an Amazon account if you don’t already have one. Ensure that your address and payment information are up-to-date.
- Link Your EBT Card: To use food stamps on Amazon, link your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to your Amazon account. Navigate to “Your Account” and select “Payment Options,” then click “Add a Payment Method” and choose “EBT Card.” Follow the prompts to enter your EBT card number and other required details.
- Shop Eligible Items: Search for food items using the search bar or browse through the dedicated “Food Stamps Eligible” category on Amazon. Look for items marked with the SNAP logo to ensure they are eligible for purchase with food stamps.
- Add Items to Cart: Select eligible food items and add them to your shopping cart. Take note of the subtotal to ensure it doesn’t exceed your available SNAP balance.
- Checkout and Payment: Proceed to checkout and choose EBT as your payment option. Confirm the order details and your delivery address, then place your order.
Amazon Grocery Delivery and Pickup
Besides direct shopping from Amazon’s online store, SNAP recipients can also benefit from Amazon’s grocery delivery and pickup services:
- Amazon Fresh: Available in select cities, Amazon Fresh offers same-day grocery delivery and pickup services. To use SNAP benefits, select EBT as your payment option at checkout.
- Amazon Pantry: This service allows you to create a virtual pantry of non-perishable food items and household essentials. Once your pantry is filled, you can place an order for delivery or choose to pick it up at an Amazon Locker location.
Eligible Food Items on Amazon
| Eligible Categories | Examples |
|---|---|
| Fruits and Vegetables | Fresh, frozen, canned, or dried |
| Dairy Products | Milk, yogurt, cheese, eggs |
| Meat and Poultry | Fresh, frozen, or canned |
| Fish and Seafood | Fresh, frozen, or canned |
| Grains | Bread, pasta, rice, cereal |
Non-Eligible Items on Amazon
- Alcohol
- Tobacco products
- Vitamins and supplements
- Pet food
- Household items (such as cleaning supplies or toiletries)
- Prepared foods or restaurant meals
- Gift cards
Amazon’s Delivery Options
Amazon offers a variety of delivery options for customers who use food stamps. These options include:
- Standard shipping: Free for Prime members, orders over $25, or with a Subscribe & Save subscription. Usually takes 5-8 business days.
- Expedited shipping: Costs extra and usually takes 2-3 business days.
- Same-day delivery: Available in select areas for orders over $35. Costs extra and usually takes 2-4 hours.
- Fresh delivery: Available in select areas for groceries and other fresh items. Costs extra and usually takes 2-3 business days.
To see which delivery options are available for your area, enter your ZIP code on Amazon’s website or in the Amazon app.
Payment Options
Amazon accepts EBT cards as payment for eligible food items. To use your EBT card on Amazon, you will need to:
- Have an Amazon account.
- Link your EBT card to your Amazon account.
- Add eligible food items to your shopping cart.
- Select EBT as your payment method at checkout.
Once you have completed these steps, you will be able to use your EBT card to pay for eligible food items on Amazon.
Eligible Food Items
Not all food items are eligible for purchase with EBT cards. The following table lists some of the eligible food items:
| Eligible Food Items | Examples |
|---|---|
| Fruits and vegetables | Apples, oranges, bananas, broccoli, carrots, celery |
| Meat and poultry | Beef, chicken, pork, turkey |
| Fish and seafood | Salmon, shrimp, tuna |
| Dairy products | Milk, cheese, yogurt |
| Eggs | |
| Bread and cereal | Wheat bread, white bread, oatmeal, rice |
| Snacks | Crackers, cookies, pretzels |
| Drinks | Juice, soda, water |
For a complete list of eligible food items, visit the USDA website.
Food Stamps Accepted Stores
Food stamps, officially known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), are a government assistance program that provides financial help to low-income individuals and families to buy food. SNAP benefits can be used to purchase eligible food items at authorized retail stores.
Amazon is not a SNAP-authorized retailer, and you cannot directly use your food stamps (EBT card) to purchase food from Amazon. However, there are a few ways to use your SNAP benefits to buy food on Amazon.
SNAP-Authorized Online Retailers
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a list of online retailers that accept SNAP benefits. These retailers include:
- Walmart
- Target
- Kroger
- Safeway
- Albertsons
- Instacart
- Shipt
To use your SNAP benefits at one of these retailers, you will need to create an account and link your EBT card. Once you have done this, you can add eligible food items to your shopping cart and checkout using your EBT card.
Using a Third-Party Service
There are also a few third-party services that allow you to use your SNAP benefits to purchase food from Amazon.
- Amazon Prime Pantry: Amazon Prime Pantry is a subscription service that offers free shipping on orders of $35 or more. SNAP benefits can be used to purchase eligible food items from Amazon Prime Pantry.
- Fresh EBT: Fresh EBT is a mobile app that allows you to use your SNAP benefits to purchase food from select online retailers, including Amazon. Fresh EBT charges a small fee for each transaction.
- Instacart: Instacart is a grocery delivery service that allows you to order food from local grocery stores and have it delivered to your door. SNAP benefits can be used to purchase eligible food items from Instacart. Instacart charges a delivery fee.
To use one of these third-party services, you will need to create an account and link your EBT card. Once you have done this, you can add eligible food items to your shopping cart and checkout using your EBT card.
SNAP-Eligible Food Items
SNAP benefits can only be used to purchase certain types of food items. These items include:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products
- Eggs
- Bread and cereal
- Snacks and beverages that are considered staples, such as crackers, cookies, and juice
SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase non-food items, such as alcohol, tobacco, pet food, or vitamins and supplements.
Conclusion
While Amazon is not a SNAP-authorized retailer, there are a few ways to use your SNAP benefits to purchase food from Amazon. You can either use a third-party service, such as Amazon Prime Pantry, Fresh EBT, or Instacart, or you can shop at a SNAP-authorized online retailer, such as Walmart, Target, or Kroger.
Well folks, that’s about all there is to know about using food stamps on Amazon. I hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions, be sure to drop me a line in the comments section below and I’ll do my best to help you out. In the meantime, thanks for reading and be sure to visit again soon for more great tips and tricks on how to save money and eat healthy.