EBT works at most grocery stores, farmers markets, and some online retailers, but not at restaurants, gas stations, or convenience stores

Your EBT card works like a debit card at places that sell food. The main rule is simple: you can buy food to cook at home, but not food that is already prepared or hot. Supermarkets, independent grocers, farmers markets, and some online grocery services all take EBT. Convenience stores, fast-food restaurants, gas stations, and liquor stores do not.

Where your card works depends partly on whether the store is authorized to accept SNAP (the federal program that funds most EBT cards). A store has to apply for authorization and meet federal rules about what it stocks. Most large chains are authorized. Many small grocers are too. But a bodega or corner store may not be, even if it sells some food items.

The rules also vary slightly by state. Some states allow online ordering from certain retailers; others do not yet. A few states run pilot programs that let you use EBT at farmers markets with a match — you spend $1 in EBT and get $1 extra to spend there. Your state's SNAP office website lists which online retailers work in your state, if any.

Key Takeaways

  • EBT buys unprepared food: meat, produce, bread, milk, canned goods, frozen vegetables, and seeds or plants that produce food.
  • EBT does not work at restaurants, food trucks, gas stations, convenience stores, or for hot or prepared foods from any store.
  • Not every store that sells food is authorized to take EBT — you can search for authorized retailers on your state's SNAP website or call your local SNAP office.
  • Some states allow EBT online at Amazon, Walmart, or other retailers, but availability varies by state and changes over time.
  • Farmers markets increasingly accept EBT, and some offer matching programs where your EBT dollar goes further.

Grocery stores and supermarkets

Large supermarket chains — Walmart, Target, Kroger, Safeway, Whole Foods, and most regional chains — are authorized to take EBT. So are most independent grocery stores and ethnic markets. When you check out, you swipe or insert your EBT card like a debit card. The cashier will ask you to enter your PIN. Only the food items ring through on EBT; non-food items (soap, paper towels, pet food) come out of your pocket or another payment method.

If you are unsure whether a store near you takes EBT, ask at the customer service desk or look it up before you go. Your state's SNAP office maintains a searchable map or list of authorized retailers. You can also call your local SNAP office and ask for stores in your area. Some states have a phone line or text service you can use to check a specific store.

Farmers markets and direct-from-farmer sales

Many farmers markets now take EBT. You use your card at a booth or kiosk in the market, usually run by the market itself or a local nonprofit. The money loads onto a market token or voucher that you then spend at individual farmer stalls. Some markets let you use your card directly at each stand if the farmer has a card reader.

A growing number of states run incentive programs at farmers markets. You spend $5 in EBT and receive an extra $5 or $10 in tokens to spend on produce. These programs aim to make fresh food cheaper and support local farms. Check your state's SNAP website or call your local farmers market to see if your area has one.

Some farmers also sell directly to consumers through community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs or farm stands. A few states allow EBT at these locations, but not all do. Ask the farmer or the program coordinator whether they take EBT before you sign up or visit.

Online grocery shopping

As of now, only a handful of states allow EBT online. Amazon, Walmart, and Instacart are the main retailers that accept EBT in states where it is permitted. The rules are strict: you can order food for delivery or pickup, but the same food rules apply — no hot foods, no prepared items, no non-food goods.

Online ordering through EBT is still rolling out. Your state may not offer it yet, or it may be available only in certain counties. Check your state's SNAP office website to see whether online ordering is available where you live and which retailers participate. If it is available, you will need to set up an account with the retailer and link your EBT card during checkout.

What you can and cannot buy

EBT covers food you prepare yourself: fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, or canned), meat and poultry, fish and seafood, dairy products, breads and cereals, snack foods like nuts and seeds, and non-alcoholic beverages. You can also buy seeds or plants that produce food — tomato seeds, herb plants, fruit trees.

EBT does not cover hot or prepared foods, even if a grocery store sells them. This means no rotisserie chicken from the deli counter, no hot pizza from the bakery, no prepared salads. It also does not cover alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, medicine, pet food, soap, paper products, or anything that is not food for human consumption. If you are unsure about an item, ask the cashier before you buy it.

Places that do not take EBT

Restaurants, food trucks, and fast-food chains do not take EBT, even if they serve food. Gas stations and convenience stores do not, even if they have a small food section. Liquor stores do not. Warehouse clubs like Costco or Sam's Club do not take EBT (though some states are testing this). Dollar stores and general retailers do not, even if they have a grocery aisle.

A few states run Restaurant Meals Programs that let older adults, people with disabilities, or homeless individuals use EBT at participating restaurants. These are rare and only in certain states. If you think you might be in one of these groups, ask your local SNAP office whether your state has this program.

How to find authorized retailers near you

Your state's SNAP office website has a store locator tool. Go to your state's SNAP page (search "[your state] SNAP" or "[your state] food assistance"), look for "find retailers" or "authorized stores," and enter your address or zip code. The tool will show you nearby stores that take EBT, their addresses, and sometimes their hours.

You can also call your local SNAP office directly. They can tell you which stores in your neighborhood are authorized and answer questions about specific stores. If you do not know your local office number, call the national SNAP hotline at 1-800-221-5689 and they will connect you to your state.

Some states have a text or phone service: you text or call a number with a store name or address, and the system tells you whether it is authorized. Check your state's SNAP website for this option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use EBT at Whole Foods or other upscale grocery stores?

Yes, if they are authorized. Most Whole Foods locations take EBT. The same rules apply: you can buy unprepared food, but not prepared items from the hot bar or deli counter. Call the store or check your state's store locator to confirm the specific location near you accepts EBT.

Do I have to use my PIN every time I swipe my EBT card?

Yes. You enter your PIN at checkout to complete the transaction, just like a debit card. If you forget your PIN, contact your state's EBT customer service line — the number is on the back of your card. They can help you reset it or send you a new card.

What happens if I try to buy something that is not allowed?

The cashier will tell you the item is not covered by EBT. You can pay for it with cash or another card if you want it, or leave it behind. The transaction will only go through for the items that are allowed. There is no penalty for trying.

Can I use EBT at Target or Walmart for groceries?

Yes, both are authorized retailers in most states. You can use EBT for the food items in those stores — produce, meat, dairy, bread, canned goods. You cannot use it for clothing, household items, or anything else. The cashier will separate the food from non-food items at checkout.

Are there any stores that recently started taking EBT online?

Amazon and Walmart added EBT online in some states in recent years, and Instacart is expanding too. Availability changes, so check your state's SNAP website to see the current list of online retailers in your area. Your state may not offer online EBT yet.