EBT at Costco covers food you prepare at home, not prepared meals or non-food items
Costco accepts EBT (SNAP benefits) at most locations, but the rules about what you can buy are the same as at any grocery store. You can purchase raw ingredients, packaged foods, and beverages intended for home preparation. You cannot buy hot foods from the deli counter, rotisserie chickens, pizza, or anything from the food court. Non-food items—even if they are sold in the grocery section—are not covered, including paper products, cleaning supplies, vitamins, and pet food.
The key difference between Costco and a regular supermarket is that Costco sells in bulk. You may pay less per unit, but you still need a Costco membership to shop there. Some states allow non-members to use EBT at Costco, but most require membership. Check with your local Costco warehouse or your state's SNAP program to confirm the membership rule in your area.
Key Takeaways
- EBT covers raw meat, produce, dairy, bread, canned goods, and frozen vegetables at Costco, just as it does at other stores.
- Hot or prepared foods from the deli, bakery, or food court cannot be purchased with EBT, even if they are in the warehouse.
- Most Costco locations require a membership to shop, and you will need to confirm whether your state allows EBT members to shop without paying the membership fee.
- Non-food items sold at Costco—paper towels, detergent, vitamins, and pet food—are never covered by EBT, regardless of where you buy them.
- Your EBT card works the same way at Costco as it does at any other store: swipe it at checkout, and it covers only may be able to access food items.
What foods are covered by EBT at Costco
EBT covers the same categories of food at Costco as it does everywhere else. This includes fresh produce (apples, lettuce, carrots, berries), raw meat and poultry (chicken breasts, ground beef, salmon), dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs), bread and grains (whole wheat bread, rice, pasta, cereal), canned and frozen vegetables and fruits, beans and legumes, nuts and seeds, and beverages like milk and juice. Costco's bulk format means you can buy larger quantities at a lower per-unit cost, but the EBT rules do not change.
Prepared or partially prepared foods are not covered. This means you cannot use EBT for rotisserie chickens, deli meat sliced at the counter, bakery items (bread baked on-site), or anything from the food court. The distinction is whether the food is ready to eat or has been heated or prepared for immediate consumption. If you buy a raw chicken to cook at home, EBT covers it. If you buy a hot rotisserie chicken from the deli case, it does not.
Non-food items you cannot buy with EBT
EBT never covers non-food items, even when they are sold in the grocery section. At Costco, this includes paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates, plastic wrap, aluminum foil, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, vitamins and supplements, medications, pet food, and pet supplies. These items are ineligible everywhere—not just at Costco—because SNAP benefits are designed to cover food for human consumption only.
If you are buying a mix of may be able to access and ineligible items, your cashier will separate them at checkout. The may be able to access food items will be charged to your EBT card, and you will pay for the non-food items with another payment method (cash, credit card, or debit card). This happens automatically; you do not need to ask for it.
How to use your EBT card at Costco
Using EBT at Costco works the same way as at any other store. At checkout, tell the cashier you are paying with EBT. Swipe your card in the card reader, enter your PIN, and the transaction will process. The cashier will separate may be able to access food items from anything that is not covered by EBT. You will pay for non-may be able to access items with a separate payment method.
Some Costco locations have self-checkout, but not all accept EBT at self-checkout. If you are unsure, ask a Costco employee before you start shopping. They can direct you to a staffed checkout lane where EBT is accepted. This is especially important if you are buying a large order, since self-checkout machines have transaction limits.
Costco membership and EBT may be able to access
Most Costco locations require a paid membership to shop. However, some states have agreements that allow SNAP recipients to shop at Costco without paying the membership fee. This varies by state and sometimes by individual warehouse. Before you go, contact your local Costco or call your state's SNAP program to find out whether you need to pay for membership or whether you can shop with EBT alone.
If your state does not have a membership waiver, you have two options: pay for a Costco membership (Gold Star membership is the basic tier), or shop at a different store where you do not need a membership. Some states are working to expand EBT access at warehouse clubs, so the rules may change. Check your state's SNAP website or call the number on the back of your EBT card to learn the current policy.
Differences between Costco and regular grocery stores
The main difference is volume and price, not what is covered. Costco sells larger quantities at lower per-unit prices, which can stretch your SNAP benefits further if you have storage space at home. However, you may need to buy more of an item than you would at a regular store, and not every item is cheaper at Costco than at a discount grocery store.
Another difference is membership. Regular grocery stores do not require membership, so you can shop with EBT immediately. Costco does, which adds a barrier unless your state has a waiver. If you do not have a membership and your state does not waive the fee, you will need to pay out of pocket or find another store. The EBT rules themselves—what is covered and what is not—are identical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use EBT at Costco's food court?
No. The food court sells prepared and hot foods, which are never covered by EBT. This includes pizza, hot dogs, rotisserie chicken, and beverages. You can only use EBT for food you take home and prepare yourself.
Do I need a Costco membership to use EBT there?
Most locations require membership, but some states have agreements that waive the fee for SNAP recipients. Contact your local Costco warehouse or your state's SNAP program to find out the rule in your area. If your state does not waive the fee and you do not want to pay for membership, you can shop at a regular grocery store instead.
What happens if I buy both food and non-food items at Costco?
The cashier will separate may be able to access food from ineligible items at checkout. Your EBT card will be charged only for the food, and you will pay for non-food items with cash, credit, or debit. You do not need to do anything—this happens automatically.
Are vitamins and supplements covered by EBT at Costco?
No. Vitamins, supplements, and medications are never covered by EBT, even at Costco. EBT covers food for human consumption only, not health or wellness products.
Can I buy deli meat sliced at the counter with EBT?
No. Deli meat sliced to order at the counter is considered a prepared food and is not covered by EBT. However, pre-packaged deli meat (sealed packages from the refrigerated section) is covered because it is not prepared at the point of sale.