If you’re an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) cardholder, you can use your food stamps on Instacart to purchase eligible items from participating stores. First, link your EBT card to your Instacart account. When you’re ready to place an order, select the EBT payment option at checkout. You’ll need to enter your EBT card number, expiration date, and CVV. Once your order is complete, the amount of your purchase will be deducted from your EBT balance. Note that not all items on Instacart are eligible for purchase with EBT. You can check the product details page to see if an item is eligible.
Creating a New Instacart Account
To create an Instacart account and use food stamps:
- Go to the Instacart website or download the Instacart app.
- Click on “Sign up” or “Create an account”.
- Enter your name, email address, and create a password.
- Select your delivery address and phone number.
- Click on “Create account”.
Linking Your EBT Card
After creating your Instacart account, you need to link your EBT card to make food stamp purchases.
- Go to the Instacart website or app and log in to your account.
- Click on “Payment methods”.
- Click on “Add a payment method”.
- Select “EBT” as your payment method.
- Enter your EBT card number, expiration date, and CVV code.
- Click on “Save”.
Shopping for Food with Food Stamps
Once your EBT card is linked to your Instacart account, you can start shopping for food with food stamps.
- Add eligible food items to your cart.
- When you’re ready to checkout, click on “View cart”.
- Select “EBT” as your payment method.
- Enter the amount of food stamps you want to use.
- Click on “Place order”.
Tips for Using Food Stamps on Instacart
- Make sure you have enough money on your EBT card before placing an order.
- Check the eligibility of food items before adding them to your cart.
- Use Instacart’s “EBT-eligible” filter to easily find eligible food items.
- Take advantage of Instacart’s free shipping on orders over $35.
| Eligible Food Items | Ineligible Food Items |
|---|---|
| Fruits and vegetables | Alcohol |
| Meat and poultry | Tobacco products |
| Dairy products | Pet food |
| Eggs | Household items |
| Bread and cereal | Prepared foods |
Linking EBT Card to Instacart Account
Follow these steps to link your EBT card to your Instacart account:
- Open the Instacart app or visit the Instacart website.
- Sign in to your Instacart account or create a new account if you don’t have one.
- Go to the “Payment” page in your account settings. If you’re using the app, tap the three lines in the top-left corner of the screen, then tap “Payment.”
- Tap “Add a payment method.”
- Select “EBT” as your payment method.
- Enter your EBT card number, expiration date, and CVV code.
- Tap “Save.”
Your EBT card is now linked to your Instacart account. You can use it to pay for groceries and other eligible items on Instacart.
| Food | Non-food items |
|---|---|
| Fruits and vegetables | Seeds and plants |
| Meat, poultry, and fish | Sanitary napkins |
| Dairy products | Tampons |
| Bread and cereals | Toilet paper |
| Snacks | Paper towels |
| Coffee and tea | Laundry detergent |
Note: You cannot use your EBT card to purchase alcohol, tobacco products, or other non-eligible items on Instacart.
Shopping for Food Stamps Eligible Items
Navigating Instacart with Food Stamps can be daunting. Let’s break it down and help you make the most of your benefits.
Eligibility
- Be a resident of a participating state.
- Meet income guidelines.
- Obtain an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.
Finding Eligible Items
- Food Stamps cover a range of food items.
- Look for items with the “Food Stamps Eligible” label.
- Produce, dairy, meat, and grains are commonly eligible.
- Alcohol, tobacco, and hot prepared foods are excluded.
Check the Instacart website for a comprehensive list of eligible products.
Using Food Stamps on Instacart
- Add eligible items to your Instacart cart.
- Proceed to checkout and select “EBT SNAP” as your payment method.
- Enter your EBT card number and PIN.
- The SNAP amount will be deducted from your EBT balance.
- Pay the remaining balance, if any, with a credit/debit card or PayPal.
Tips
- Instacart charges a delivery fee. Consider Instacart Express to save on these fees.
- Shop during non-peak times to avoid delivery delays.
- Check for special promotions and discounts.
States that Accept Food Stamps on Instacart
| State | SNAP Online Purchasing |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes |
| Arizona | Yes |
| California | Yes |
| Colorado | Yes |
| District of Columbia | Yes |
| Florida | Yes |
| Georgia | Yes |
| Idaho | Yes |
| Illinois | Yes |
| Indiana | Yes |
| Iowa | Yes |
| Kansas | Yes |
| Kentucky | Yes |
| Louisiana | Yes |
| Maine | Yes |
| Maryland | Yes |
| Massachusetts | Yes |
| Michigan | Yes |
| Minnesota | Yes |
| Mississippi | Yes |
| Missouri | Yes |
| Nebraska | Yes |
| Nevada | Yes |
| New Hampshire | Yes |
| New Mexico | Yes |
| New York | Yes |
| North Carolina | Yes |
| Ohio | Yes |
| Oklahoma | Yes |
| Oregon | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | Yes |
| Puerto Rico | Yes |
| Rhode Island | Yes |
| South Carolina | Yes |
| South Dakota | Yes |
| Tennessee | Yes |
| Texas | Yes |
| Utah | Yes |
| Vermont | Yes |
| Virginia | Yes |
| Washington | Yes |
| West Virginia | Yes |
| Wisconsin | Yes |
| Wyoming | Yes |
Checking Out and Receiving Food Stamps Discount
To check out and receive your Food Stamps discount on Instacart, follow these steps:
- Select the “Pay with EBT” option at checkout.
- Enter your EBT card number and PIN.
- Select the items you want to purchase with your Food Stamps.
- Click “Buy Now” to complete your purchase.
Your Food Stamps discount will be automatically applied to your order. You will see the discount reflected in the total amount due.
Once your order is complete, you will receive a confirmation email from Instacart. You can also track the status of your order in the Instacart app.
When your order is ready, you can pick it up at your selected pickup location. You will need to present your EBT card and a valid ID to pick up your order.
| Food Group | Eligible Items |
|---|---|
| Fruits and Vegetables | Fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruits and vegetables |
| Meat, Fish, and Poultry | Fresh, frozen, canned, and dried meat, fish, and poultry |
| Dairy Products | Milk, cheese, yogurt, and eggs |
| Bread and Cereals | Bread, cereal, pasta, and rice |
| Snacks | Crackers, cookies, chips, and popcorn |
| Beverages | Water, juice, and soda |
And there you have it! Now you know everything there is to know about using food stamps on Instacart. Thanks for sticking with me through this journey. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to saving money and eating healthy. If you found this article helpful, be sure to check out my other articles for more tips and tricks on getting the most out of your food budget. So come on back and visit me again soon – I’ll be waiting with more money-saving goodness!