Where You Can Use Food Stamps Online and in Stores

Amazon does not accept SNAP benefits directly, but you can buy groceries through Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market using your EBT card

Amazon itself does not take food stamps (SNAP benefits) as payment on its main website. However, Amazon owns Whole Foods Market, and both Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh — Amazon's grocery delivery service — accept EBT cards for may be able to access food purchases. The rules about what you can buy are the same as in any grocery store: you can pay with SNAP for food to cook at home, but not for prepared foods, hot items, vitamins, or non-food goods.

If you want to order groceries online with your EBT card, Amazon Fresh is available in select cities and lets you pay at checkout with your EBT card number. Whole Foods locations in your area also accept EBT in-store and, in some regions, for online orders. Outside of Amazon's services, other online grocery retailers like Instacart, Walmart, and Target also accept SNAP in certain areas.

Key Takeaways

Amazon's main website does not accept SNAP, but Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market (both owned by Amazon) do accept EBT cards for may be able to access groceries.
You can use your EBT card at Whole Foods in person at any U.S. location, and some Whole Foods stores accept EBT for online orders depending on your region.
Amazon Fresh accepts EBT at checkout for online grocery orders, but the service is only available in certain cities — check the Amazon Fresh website to see if it serves your area.
The same SNAP rules apply online as in stores: you can buy food to prepare at home, but not hot or prepared foods, alcohol, or household items.

How to use your EBT card at Amazon Fresh

Amazon Fresh is Amazon's grocery delivery service. To use your EBT card, you need to add it to your Amazon account during checkout. Enter your card number, expiration date, and PIN the same way you would at a store. Amazon Fresh will process the payment and deliver your groceries to your address.

Amazon Fresh is not available everywhere. You can check whether it serves your zip code by visiting the Amazon Fresh website and entering your address. If it is available in your area, you can place an order and select EBT as your payment method at checkout. Delivery times vary by location, but orders typically arrive within one to two days.

How to use your EBT card at Whole Foods

Every Whole Foods Market location in the United States accepts EBT cards in person. You can shop normally, put may be able to access items in your cart, and pay with your EBT card at checkout just as you would at any other grocery store. The cashier will ask you to enter your PIN.

Some Whole Foods locations also accept EBT for online orders through their website or the Amazon Fresh app, but this is not available in all regions yet. If you want to order online from Whole Foods, check your local store's page to see whether online EBT payment is an option. If it is not available in your area, you can still shop in person.

What you can and cannot buy with SNAP online

The rules for what SNAP covers are identical whether you shop online or in a store. You can buy fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, dairy, bread, cereals, snack foods, and non-alcoholic beverages. You cannot buy prepared foods, hot foods, vitamins, medicines, pet food, alcohol, or household items like soap or paper towels.

At Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh, the system usually flags items that are not SNAP-may be able to access before you check out, so you will know which items you cannot pay for with your EBT card. If an item is flagged, you can either remove it or pay for it with a different payment method if you have one.

Other online grocery services that accept SNAP

If Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods are not available in your area, several other online grocery retailers accept SNAP in certain regions. Instacart, Walmart, and Target all accept EBT cards for grocery orders in many parts of the country. Availability depends on your location and which stores partner with each service in your area.

To find out which services work in your zip code, visit each retailer's website and enter your address. Some services charge delivery fees, and you should check whether those fees can be paid with EBT or whether you need a separate payment method. A few services waive delivery fees for SNAP users, but this varies.

How to set up your EBT card for online shopping

Before you can use your EBT card online, make sure you have activated it and set a PIN with your state's SNAP program. You will need your card number, expiration date, and PIN to pay online. If you have not set a PIN or do not remember it, contact your state's SNAP customer service line — the number is on the back of your card.

When you shop online, enter your EBT card information at checkout the same way you would enter a credit card. Some services may ask you to verify your identity or confirm your address. Keep your card information secure and only enter it on the official website or app of the retailer you are using.

What to do if your EBT card is declined online

If your EBT card is declined during an online purchase, the most common reasons are: you do not have enough balance, you entered your PIN incorrectly, the item is not SNAP-may be able to access, or the service does not accept EBT in your area. Check your balance first by logging into your state's SNAP portal or calling the customer service number on your card.

If your balance is correct and your PIN is right, try removing any non-may be able to access items from your cart and checking out again. If the problem continues, contact the retailer's customer service to ask whether they accept EBT in your location. You can also call your state's SNAP office to confirm your card is working properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Amazon Prime to order groceries with food stamps?

Amazon Prime itself does not accept SNAP, but Amazon Prime members can use Amazon Fresh (which accepts EBT) and get free or discounted delivery on grocery orders. You do not need Prime to use Amazon Fresh, but if you have it, you may may have access to for faster delivery or lower fees on grocery orders.

Does Whole Foods charge a delivery fee if I pay with EBT?

Whole Foods delivery fees vary by location and service (they use Amazon Fresh for delivery in some areas). Check your local Whole Foods page to see current delivery costs. Some locations offer free delivery for orders over a certain amount, and this applies whether you pay with EBT or another method.

What happens if I accidentally buy a non-may be able to access item with my EBT card online?

Most online retailers flag non-may be able to access items before checkout, so you will know which items cannot be purchased with SNAP. If an item is flagged, you can remove it or pay for it separately with another payment method. If a non-may be able to access item somehow goes through, contact the retailer immediately to report the error.

Can I use my EBT card on Amazon.com to buy groceries?

No, Amazon.com does not accept SNAP. You must use Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods (both owned by Amazon) to pay with EBT. Amazon Fresh is the easiest option if it is available in your area, since you can order directly through Amazon and use your EBT card at checkout.

Is there a minimum order amount to use EBT at Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods?

Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods do not have a minimum order requirement to accept EBT. However, some locations may have minimum order amounts for free delivery, so check your local store or service page for details on delivery fees and thresholds.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.