Costco accepts EBT at most locations, but not all, and only for food items you can eat at home

Costco is authorized to take SNAP benefits (the federal food program formerly called food stamps) at the vast majority of its warehouse locations in the United States. However, not every Costco warehouse participates — a small number do not — and Costco's online shopping through Costco.com does not accept EBT at all. You can use your EBT card to buy groceries in the warehouse itself, but the rules about what you can purchase are the same as at any other store: prepared foods, hot items, and anything meant to be eaten there are not covered.

The easiest way to confirm your local Costco takes EBT is to call the warehouse directly or check the USDA's SNAP retailer locator at fns-prod.maps.arcgis.com. Enter your zip code and search for Costco by name. If your warehouse shows up in that tool, it is authorized. If you cannot find it listed, call the warehouse before you make the trip.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Costco warehouses accept EBT for SNAP purchases, but you must shop in person — online orders through Costco.com cannot use EBT.
  • You can buy unprepared food items like produce, meat, dairy, and packaged groceries, but not hot foods, deli items prepared on-site, or anything meant to be eaten in the warehouse.
  • A small number of Costco locations do not participate in SNAP, so verify your warehouse is authorized before shopping.
  • You will need a valid Costco membership to enter the warehouse; EBT does not replace the membership fee.

What you can and cannot buy with EBT at Costco

SNAP covers food you take home and prepare yourself. At Costco, this means you can purchase produce, meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, eggs, bread, cereals, canned goods, frozen vegetables, nuts, seeds, and other shelf-stable groceries. You can also buy plants and seeds that produce food — for example, tomato seedlings or herb seeds — because SNAP is designed to help people feed themselves.

You cannot use EBT for hot foods from the food court, rotisserie chickens, prepared salads from the deli case, bakery items that are prepared on-site, or anything labeled as ready-to-eat. You also cannot buy non-food items like paper products, cleaning supplies, vitamins, medicines, or pet food, even though Costco sells them. Alcohol and tobacco are never covered by SNAP, regardless of where you shop.

The cashier's register will flag items that are not SNAP-may be able to access when you check out. If something does not go through, you can remove it or pay for it with another payment method. This is a normal part of the process and happens at every store that takes EBT.

How to use your EBT card at Costco

Bring your EBT card to the warehouse and shop as you normally would. When you reach the checkout, tell the cashier you are paying with EBT. They will run your card like a debit card — you do not need a PIN at most Costco locations, though some warehouses may ask for one. The transaction works the same way it does at a grocery store or supermarket.

Your EBT balance will be deducted only for the items that are SNAP-may be able to access. If you have mixed may be able to access and ineligible items in your cart, the register separates them automatically, and you pay for the ineligible ones with cash, a debit card, or a credit card. You can use the same EBT card for multiple transactions in the same trip if you need to — for example, if you want to buy groceries in one transaction and then return later to buy other items.

Costco membership and EBT

You must have a valid Costco membership to enter the warehouse and shop. EBT does not waive the membership fee. Costco offers a Gold Star membership (the basic tier) for a yearly fee that varies by region but is typically around $60. Some Costco locations offer discounted memberships for people with low incomes, though this varies by warehouse, so call ahead to ask.

If you do not have a membership, you can sometimes shop at Costco using a gift card purchased by someone else, or you can ask a friend or family member with a membership to take you shopping. Some Costco warehouses allow non-members to buy pharmacy items or use the gas station, but this does not extend to grocery shopping.

Online shopping and EBT at Costco

Costco.com does not accept EBT payments, even though the warehouse locations do. If you want to use your SNAP benefits at Costco, you must shop in person at a physical warehouse. Some other grocery retailers, like Amazon Fresh and Walmart, now offer online SNAP checkout, but Costco is not one of them.

If you have mobility issues or other barriers to shopping in person, you may want to explore whether other SNAP-authorized retailers near you offer online ordering with EBT. Your local SNAP office or 211 can tell you which retailers in your area accept EBT online.

Finding a Costco that takes EBT

The USDA maintains a searchable map of all authorized SNAP retailers. Go to fns-prod.maps.arcgis.com, enter your zip code, and search for Costco. If your local warehouse appears in the results, it is authorized to take EBT. If it does not show up, the warehouse either does not participate or has not yet been added to the database.

Calling the warehouse directly is the fastest way to confirm. Ask to speak with someone in customer service or at the membership desk and ask whether they accept SNAP/EBT. They can tell you immediately and can also let you know if there are any local rules or restrictions you should know about.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use EBT to pay for a Costco membership?

No. EBT covers only food you prepare at home. Membership fees are not food and are not covered. You must pay the membership fee with cash, a debit card, or a credit card.

What if my local Costco does not take EBT?

A small number of Costco warehouses are not authorized SNAP retailers. If yours is not, you can shop at another Costco location if one is nearby, or use your EBT at a different grocery store. Call your local SNAP office or dial 211 to find other authorized retailers near you.

Can I use EBT on Costco gift cards?

No. You cannot use EBT to buy gift cards. You can only use EBT directly at the register to pay for may be able to access food items. Gift cards are not food and are not covered by SNAP.

Do I need to show my membership card every time I use EBT?

Yes. You need a valid membership to enter the warehouse and shop, regardless of how you pay. Bring your membership card or have your membership number ready when you check out.

Can someone else use my EBT card at Costco?

Your EBT card is meant for your use only. Some states allow a household member to use the card if they are listed on the account, but this varies. Check your state's SNAP rules or call your local SNAP office to confirm what is allowed where you live.