Yes, Kroger accepts SNAP benefits at most of its stores

Kroger is an authorized SNAP retailer in all the states where it operates. This means you can use your EBT card to buy food at Kroger locations, including its subsidiary banners like Harris Teeter, Fred Meyer, and Smith's Food and Drug. However, not every Kroger store accepts SNAP — a small number of locations, usually in rural areas or very new stores, may not yet be set up to process EBT transactions.

Before you shop, you can confirm whether your specific Kroger location takes SNAP by calling the store directly or checking the USDA's SNAP retailer locator at fns.usda.gov/snap/retailerlocator. Enter your zip code and the search will show you which stores in your area are authorized to accept EBT.

Key Takeaways

  • Kroger accepts SNAP benefits at the vast majority of its stores, but you should confirm your specific location is authorized before shopping.
  • You can only use EBT to buy food items — not prepared foods, alcohol, tobacco, household supplies, or items from the pharmacy.
  • The USDA SNAP retailer locator is the official way to verify whether a particular Kroger store accepts EBT.
  • Kroger's subsidiary stores like Harris Teeter, Fred Meyer, and Smith's also accept SNAP at authorized locations.

What you can and cannot buy with EBT at Kroger

SNAP rules about what you can purchase are the same at Kroger as they are at any other store. You can buy fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, breads, cereals, snack foods, and non-alcoholic beverages. You can also buy seeds and plants that produce food.

You cannot use EBT to pay for hot or prepared foods from the deli counter, rotisserie chicken, or items from the hot food bar. You also cannot buy alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, pet food, household cleaning supplies, paper products, or personal care items. If you are unsure whether a specific item is covered, the cashier can tell you before you check out — the register will reject any ineligible items when you swipe your card.

How to use your EBT card at Kroger

Using your EBT card at Kroger works like using a debit card. At checkout, tell the cashier you are paying with EBT. They will ask you to insert your card into the PIN pad or swipe it, depending on the store's equipment. You will then enter your four-digit PIN. The transaction will go through if you have enough balance to cover the may be able to access food items in your purchase.

If you have both SNAP and cash benefits on your EBT card, the cashier will process the SNAP portion first. Any non-food items or ineligible foods will be separated and paid for with cash or another payment method. Keep your receipt — it shows your remaining SNAP balance and is useful if you need to dispute a transaction later.

Kroger subsidiary stores that accept SNAP

Kroger owns several store banners across the United States. If you shop at any of these locations, they accept SNAP at authorized stores:

  • Harris Teeter (North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland)
  • Fred Meyer (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska)
  • Smith's Food and Drug (Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado)
  • Ralphs (California)
  • Food 4 Less (California, Nevada, Arizona)
  • QFC (Washington, Oregon)
  • Pay Less Super Markets (Indiana, Ohio)
  • City Market (Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah)

Not all locations of these banners accept SNAP, so verify your store using the USDA retailer locator before you shop.

What to do if your local Kroger does not accept EBT

If the Kroger near you is not authorized to accept SNAP, you have other options. Use the USDA SNAP retailer locator to find other grocery stores, farmers markets, or food co-ops in your area that do accept EBT. Many communities have multiple authorized retailers within a short distance.

If you live in a rural area with very few options, contact your state SNAP office. Some states have programs to help people in underserved areas access SNAP-authorized retailers, and staff can tell you what is available in your region. You can find your state office at fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory.

Using your EBT card online at Kroger

Kroger offers online grocery ordering and delivery in many areas, and some locations allow you to pay with SNAP benefits online. However, this service is not available everywhere. To find out whether your local Kroger supports online EBT purchases, visit kroger.com and enter your zip code, or call your store directly.

If your store does offer online SNAP payment, you will need to add your EBT card information to your Kroger account and select it as your payment method at checkout. Delivery fees and service charges cannot be paid with SNAP — you will need to cover those with a separate payment method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use EBT to buy from the Kroger deli or hot food section?

No. SNAP does not cover hot or prepared foods, including items from the deli counter, rotisserie chicken, or hot food bar. You can buy cold deli items like sliced cheese or lunch meat that are not heated, as long as they are not part of a prepared meal.

What happens if I try to buy something that is not covered by SNAP?

The cashier will separate ineligible items before processing your payment. You can pay for those items with cash or another payment method, or you can leave them behind. The register will only charge your EBT card for the food items that SNAP covers.

How do I check my SNAP balance at Kroger?

You can check your balance by calling the customer service number on the back of your EBT card, logging into your state's SNAP account online, or asking the cashier to print a balance receipt when you swipe your card. Kroger does not provide balance information directly, but the receipt from any transaction shows your remaining balance.

Can I use someone else's EBT card to shop at Kroger?

No. EBT cards are issued to a specific person and cannot be used by anyone else. You must present your card and enter your PIN to complete a transaction. Using someone else's card is considered fraud and can result in losing SNAP benefits.

Do all Kroger locations accept EBT, or just some?

Most Kroger stores accept SNAP, but not all. A small number of locations, particularly newer stores or those in very rural areas, may not yet be authorized. Always verify your specific store using the USDA SNAP retailer locator before shopping.