Stores and restaurants that take EBT
Your EBT card works at most grocery stores, supermarkets, and farmers markets. It does not work at restaurants, gas stations, or convenience stores — with one exception: the Restaurant Meals Program, which operates in a handful of states and lets certain older adults, disabled people, and homeless individuals use SNAP benefits at participating restaurants.
The stores where you can use EBT are called authorized retailers. They include chain supermarkets like Kroger, Safeway, and Whole Foods; independent grocers; co-ops; and many farmers markets. You can search for nearby authorized retailers on the USDA's store locator at fns.usda.gov/snap/retailerlocator, or call your state's SNAP office to ask which stores near you accept EBT.
Some states also allow online grocery ordering and delivery through certain retailers. Amazon Fresh, Instacart, and Walmart+ have SNAP partnerships in many states, though not all. Your state's SNAP program website will list which online options are available where you live.
Key Takeaways
- EBT works at grocery stores, supermarkets, and farmers markets, but not at restaurants, gas stations, or convenience stores in most states.
- The Restaurant Meals Program in a few states lets older adults, disabled people, and homeless individuals use SNAP at certain restaurants.
- You can find authorized retailers near you using the USDA's store locator or by calling your state's SNAP office.
- Some states allow online grocery ordering through Amazon Fresh, Instacart, and Walmart, though availability varies by location.
- EBT can only be used to buy food for the household — not prepared foods, alcohol, tobacco, or non-food items.
What you can and cannot buy with EBT
EBT covers fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy, breads, cereals, snack foods, and non-alcoholic beverages. You can buy frozen and canned versions of these foods. Seeds and plants that produce food are also covered.
EBT does not cover hot or prepared foods, restaurant meals (except through the Restaurant Meals Program), alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, pet food, soap, paper products, or anything not meant to be eaten. Some items sit in a gray area: deli chicken is covered if it is cold, but not if it is hot. Rotisserie chicken from the grocery store is not covered because it is hot and ready to eat.
At farmers markets, the same rules apply. You can buy fresh produce, but not prepared foods or non-food items like flowers or crafts.
How the Restaurant Meals Program works
The Restaurant Meals Program lets people aged 60 and older, people with disabilities, and homeless individuals use SNAP at restaurants in participating states. As of now, only Arizona, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Virginia run this program, though the list can change.
You must meet the program's age or disability requirements and live in a state that runs it. Not every restaurant in those states takes part — only ones that have signed up. Your state's SNAP office can tell you which restaurants near you are authorized, or you can ask at the restaurant itself.
The program works the same way as regular EBT: you swipe your card and the amount comes out of your SNAP balance. You can only buy food, not alcohol or tobacco.
Using EBT at farmers markets
Most farmers markets accept EBT, though not all. Markets that take EBT have a sign posted at the entrance or at the information booth. You can use your card at individual vendor booths that display the EBT logo, or at a central payment station if the market has one.
Some farmers markets also run incentive programs that match your EBT spending — for example, for every $5 you spend on produce, you get an extra $5 in tokens to spend there. These programs vary by location and change year to year. Ask at the market's information booth or check your state's SNAP website to see if your local market runs a match program.
Online shopping with EBT
Online SNAP shopping is available in most states through Amazon Fresh, Instacart, and Walmart. Some states also allow it through other retailers. You must have a valid EBT card and a bank account or debit card to cover delivery fees, which are not covered by SNAP.
To order online, create an account with the retailer, add your EBT card information, and shop as usual. The same rules apply: you can buy food, but not prepared meals, alcohol, tobacco, or non-food items. Delivery times vary by retailer and location, usually between one and five days.
Not all areas have online SNAP shopping yet. Check the retailer's website or your state's SNAP program page to see if it is available in your zip code.
What happens if you try to buy something not covered
If you put a non-food item in your cart, the cashier will remove it before processing your payment. Your EBT card will only charge you for the food items. You can pay for the non-food items with cash, a credit card, or a debit card if you want to buy them.
If you try to use EBT at a restaurant that is not part of the Restaurant Meals Program, your card will be declined. The same happens at gas stations and convenience stores. This is not an error — it is how the system is designed to work.
Finding authorized retailers in your area
The fastest way to find stores near you is the USDA's SNAP Retailer Locator at fns.usda.gov/snap/retailerlocator. Enter your zip code and it will show you all authorized retailers within a set distance, including their hours and whether they accept online orders.
You can also call your state's SNAP office directly. They can tell you which stores in your neighborhood take EBT and answer questions about specific items. Your state's SNAP website usually has a phone number and a live chat option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use EBT at Costco or Sam's Club?
Yes, both Costco and Sam's Club are authorized retailers and take EBT. You do not need a membership to use EBT at the register, though some states' rules vary slightly. Call your state's SNAP office if you have questions about your specific location.
Do dollar stores take EBT?
Some dollar stores are authorized retailers and take EBT, but not all. Dollar General and Family Dollar accept EBT in most locations, but the selection of food is limited. Use the USDA's store locator to check whether a specific store near you is authorized.
Can I use EBT to buy groceries online and pick them up in the store?
Yes, many retailers offer curbside pickup or in-store pickup for online SNAP orders. Walmart, Kroger, and some regional chains support this. Check the retailer's website or call the store to confirm pickup is available in your area.
What if a store says it does not take EBT but I think it should?
Contact your state's SNAP office with the store's name and location. They can verify whether the store is authorized and, if it is, help resolve the issue. If the store is not authorized, the office can explain why or discuss whether the store can become authorized.
Can I use EBT to buy food for someone else?
Yes. Your EBT card can be used to buy food for anyone in your household or for someone you are buying food for. The card itself must be yours, but the food does not have to be for you alone.