Sam's Club does not currently accept EBT for online orders, but you can use your card in their physical warehouse locations
Sam's Club accepts SNAP benefits (EBT) at their warehouse stores when you shop in person, but their online shopping platform does not process EBT payments. If you want to use your EBT card at Sam's Club, you must visit a warehouse location with your card and membership card. Online orders must be paid with a credit card, debit card, or Sam's Club gift card.
This is different from some other retailers. Walmart, for example, accepts EBT online in most states, but Sam's Club has not extended that option to their website or mobile app. The restriction applies whether you are a Sam's Club member or not — membership alone does not unlock online EBT payment.
Key Takeaways
- Sam's Club warehouses accept EBT cards for in-person purchases of may be able to access food items, but their website and app do not.
- You need both a Sam's Club membership card and your EBT card to shop with benefits at a warehouse location.
- Online orders at Sam's Club require a credit card, debit card, or Sam's Club gift card — no EBT option is available.
- Walmart and some other large retailers do accept EBT online, so if online shopping is important to you, those may be better options.
What you can and cannot buy with EBT at Sam's Club warehouses
At a physical Sam's Club location, your EBT card works the same way it does at any other grocery store. You can purchase food items intended for home preparation: fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, and pantry staples. You cannot use EBT to buy prepared foods, hot foods from the deli counter, vitamins, medicine, household supplies, or non-food items.
Sam's Club bulk sizes do not change what is may be able to access. A large package of chicken breasts is may be able to access; a rotisserie chicken from the food court is not. A bulk box of cereal is may be able to access; a bulk box of paper towels is not. The SNAP rules are the same whether you are buying a single item or a warehouse-size quantity.
How to use your EBT card at a Sam's Club warehouse
Bring both your EBT card and your Sam's Club membership card to the warehouse. At checkout, tell the cashier you are paying with EBT. The cashier will separate may be able to access food items from ineligible items and ring them separately. You will pay for may be able to access items with your EBT card and pay for any ineligible items with another payment method.
You do not need to do anything special to prepare. Your EBT card works at the card reader just like a debit card. If you do not have a Sam's Club membership, you can purchase one at the warehouse entrance, but membership costs money and is not covered by EBT.
Why Sam's Club does not accept EBT online
Sam's Club has not stated a public reason for not accepting EBT on their website or app. Other warehouse clubs like Costco also do not accept EBT online, though they do accept it in warehouses. The most likely reason is that online EBT processing requires additional verification systems and fraud prevention that Sam's Club has not implemented for their e-commerce platform.
Walmart's online EBT program took several years to roll out across all states, and it required coordination with state SNAP agencies. Sam's Club may eventually add this feature, but there is no announced timeline. For now, online EBT shopping at Sam's Club is not an option.
Alternatives if you need to shop online with EBT
Walmart accepts EBT online in most states through their website and app. Amazon also accepts EBT in select states through their Amazon Fresh service, though availability is limited and varies by location. Target does not accept EBT online, but does accept it in stores. Instacart, a grocery delivery service, accepts EBT in some states and partners with certain stores, but not with Sam's Club.
If you have a Sam's Club membership and want to use EBT, your only option is to shop at a warehouse location in person. If online shopping is important to you, Walmart is the most widely available alternative that accepts EBT across most of the country.
What happens if you try to use EBT online at Sam's Club
If you attempt to enter your EBT card information during online checkout at Sam's Club, the payment will be declined. The system does not recognize EBT as a valid payment method for online orders. You will need to select a different payment method or cancel your order.
This is not a problem with your card or account — it is a limitation of Sam's Club's website. Your EBT card will work normally at any other retailer that accepts it, including Sam's Club warehouses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my EBT card at Sam's Club gas station or pharmacy?
No. EBT only works for may be able to access food items at the warehouse itself. Sam's Club gas stations, pharmacies, and other services do not accept EBT. You must use a different payment method for those purchases.
Do I need a membership to use EBT at Sam's Club?
Yes. You need an active Sam's Club membership card to enter the warehouse and shop. Membership costs money and cannot be paid with EBT. However, some states offer free or reduced-cost memberships for low-income shoppers — contact your local Sam's Club to ask if your state has this program.
Will Sam's Club ever accept EBT online?
Sam's Club has not announced plans to accept EBT online. It is possible they may add this feature in the future, but there is no confirmed timeline. If you need online EBT shopping now, Walmart is the most widely available option.
What if my EBT card is declined at the Sam's Club checkout?
This usually means your account balance is too low to cover the may be able to access items, or your card is not currently active. Contact your state's SNAP agency or the number on the back of your EBT card to check your balance and account status. The cashier can also help troubleshoot at the register.