Yes, Target accepts EBT at most locations, but only for food items

Target takes SNAP benefits (the food part of EBT) at the registers in its grocery sections and SuperTarget stores. You swipe or insert your EBT card like a debit card, and the system separates what you can buy from what you cannot. Non-food items — household goods, clothing, electronics, pharmacy items — will not go through on EBT, even if they are in the same transaction.

Not every Target location has a grocery section. Smaller format stores in cities or malls may not stock enough food to participate in the SNAP program. Before you go, call the store or check the Target website to confirm it accepts SNAP. The easiest way is to search "Target near me" on the SNAP retailer locator at fns.usda.gov.

Target does not accept TANF (cash assistance) or WIC at the checkout. If you receive those benefits, you will need to use them elsewhere or withdraw cash and pay with that.

Key Takeaways

  • Target accepts SNAP EBT cards in stores with grocery sections, but the cashier will reject any non-food items you try to buy with benefits.
  • You can buy fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, and other food — but not hot prepared food, alcohol, or household supplies.
  • Smaller Target locations without grocery departments do not participate in SNAP, so confirm your store accepts it before shopping.
  • If you have TANF or WIC benefits, Target does not take those at checkout; you will need to use cash or shop at a different retailer.

What foods you can and cannot buy with EBT at Target

SNAP covers foods you prepare and cook at home. This means fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, bread, cereals, beans, nuts, and seeds all go through. Frozen and canned versions count too. You can buy baby formula and baby food as well.

SNAP does not cover hot or prepared foods — rotisserie chicken, deli sandwiches, pizza from the hot case, or anything sold warm at the counter. It also does not cover alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, medicine, pet food, or anything that is not food. At Target, this means you cannot use EBT for the food court, the pharmacy, or items in the general merchandise sections.

The cashier's register will flag items that are not allowed. If you mix EBT-approved food with non-food items, the system will separate them. You pay for the allowed food with your EBT card and pay for everything else with cash, a credit card, or another payment method.

How to use your EBT card at Target checkout

Bring your EBT card to the register along with your other payment methods. Tell the cashier you are paying with EBT. They will ask you to insert or swipe your card in the PIN pad, just like you would with a debit card. Enter your four-digit PIN.

The register will show which items are approved for SNAP and which are not. If you have non-food items, you will be asked to pay for those separately with cash or another card. The whole process takes the same amount of time as a regular transaction.

You do not need to tell the cashier in advance which items are food and which are not — the system handles that automatically. If something rings up as not approved and you think it should be, ask the cashier to check. Some items (like certain vitamins or food additives) can be borderline, and the store's system may have it coded differently than you expect.

Finding a Target that accepts SNAP in your area

The USDA maintains a searchable list of all retailers that accept SNAP. Go to fns.usda.gov/snap/retailers and enter your address or zip code. The results will show you every store near you that takes EBT, including which Targets participate.

You can also call the Target location directly and ask if they accept SNAP. The phone number is on their website or Google Maps listing. Staff can tell you immediately whether that store has a grocery section and participates in the program.

If the nearest Target does not accept SNAP, the retailer locator will show you other options — grocery stores, supermarkets, and other chains in your area that do. Many people find they have more choices than they expect once they search.

What happens if your EBT card is declined at Target

If your card is declined, the most common reasons are: your PIN is wrong, your account has no balance, or the item is not SNAP-approved. Ask the cashier which one it is. If it is your PIN, you get three tries before the card locks temporarily for security. If your balance is zero, you will need to wait until your next benefit deposit.

If the item was flagged as not approved and you believe it should be covered, ask to speak with a manager. They can check the item code in the system or contact their SNAP coordinator. Sometimes items are miscoded, and a manager can override it if it truly is a food item.

If your card itself is not working — it is damaged, expired, or you think there is a fraud issue — contact your state's EBT customer service line. The number is on the back of your card. They can tell you whether your account is active and help you get a replacement card if needed.

Using Target's online ordering with EBT

Target's online grocery ordering and delivery service (Order Pickup and Same Day Delivery) does not currently accept EBT at checkout. You must shop in person at a Target store and pay with your EBT card at the register.

This is a federal rule, not a Target choice — online SNAP purchases are still being tested in only a few states through a pilot program. If you live in one of those states, you may be able to order from certain retailers online using EBT, but Target is not yet part of that program in most places.

If you cannot get to a store in person, ask whether your state offers any online SNAP retailers. Your state's SNAP office website will list which stores, if any, allow online orders with benefits in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my EBT card to buy groceries for someone else at Target?

Yes. Your EBT card can be used to buy food for anyone — family members, friends, or people you are helping. The card itself is tied to your account, but the food you purchase with it can go to anyone. Non-food items still cannot be bought with EBT, regardless of who they are for.

Does Target accept EBT for gas or gift cards?

No. EBT only works for food items. Gas, gift cards, and prepaid cards are not food and will not go through on SNAP benefits. You must pay for those with cash or another payment method.

What if I have both SNAP and WIC benefits?

Target accepts SNAP but not WIC. If you have both, use your SNAP card at Target for regular groceries. For WIC-approved items (infant formula, milk, eggs, certain fruits and vegetables), you will need to shop at a store that accepts WIC — your state's WIC program can tell you which retailers near you do.

Can I return food I bought with EBT if I change my mind?

Target's return policy for food is the same whether you paid with EBT or cash — most fresh food cannot be returned once purchased. Unopened packaged items may be returnable depending on the product. Ask at the customer service desk about their specific policy on the item you want to return.

Will using EBT at Target show up on my receipt?

Your receipt will show what you bought and the total amount, but it will not say "EBT" or "SNAP" on it. The payment method is recorded in Target's system, but the receipt itself looks like any other transaction. Your EBT statement (which you can check online or by phone) will show the purchase amount and location.