Costco accepts SNAP benefits, but only at warehouses that have a pharmacy

Costco takes SNAP (the federal food stamp program) at most of its locations, but not all. The warehouse must have an in-store pharmacy to process SNAP payments. If your local Costco has a pharmacy, you can use your SNAP card there like you would at any grocery store. If it does not have a pharmacy, that location does not accept SNAP at all.

You can call your nearest Costco to confirm whether it has a pharmacy before you shop. The pharmacy is usually near the back of the warehouse. You do not need a membership to use SNAP benefits — SNAP cardholders can shop at Costco without paying the membership fee, though you will be limited to the food items you can purchase with SNAP.

Key Takeaways

  • Costco accepts SNAP only at locations with an in-store pharmacy; call ahead to confirm your warehouse has one.
  • You do not need a Costco membership to use SNAP benefits at a participating location.
  • SNAP covers the same foods at Costco as anywhere else: fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, and other unprepared groceries.
  • You cannot use SNAP to buy prepared foods, alcohol, vitamins, or non-food items like paper products or cleaning supplies.

What foods you can and cannot buy with SNAP at Costco

SNAP covers the same categories of food at Costco as it does at any other store. You can buy fresh produce, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, eggs, bread, cereals, canned vegetables, frozen fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and other unprepared groceries. Costco's bulk sizes work fine with SNAP — a large package of chicken or a case of canned beans counts as one item and uses SNAP funds the same way.

SNAP does not cover hot or prepared foods, even if they are in the grocery section. This means you cannot use SNAP for rotisserie chicken, deli items, or food from the Costco food court. You also cannot buy alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, pet food, paper products, cleaning supplies, or anything that is not food meant for human consumption.

If you buy a mix of SNAP-may be able to access and ineligible items in one transaction, the cashier will separate them. Your SNAP card pays for the may be able to access food, and you pay cash or another card for everything else.

How to use your SNAP card at Costco

Using SNAP at Costco works the same way as at a regular grocery store. At checkout, tell the cashier you are paying with SNAP. Swipe or insert your card when prompted, enter your PIN, and confirm the amount. The transaction processes immediately. You will receive a receipt showing what was purchased with SNAP and what balance remains on your card.

Bring your card with you every time you shop. You cannot use SNAP online at Costco.com — SNAP payments only work in person at the warehouse. If you forget your card, you cannot complete the purchase with SNAP that day.

Costco membership and SNAP

You do not need to pay for a Costco membership to shop with SNAP benefits. Federal law requires that SNAP cardholders have access to food at any store that accepts SNAP, and Costco honors this by allowing SNAP users to enter and shop without a membership card. However, this exemption applies only to SNAP purchases — if you want to buy non-food items or use cash, you will need a membership.

Some Costco locations may ask to see your SNAP card at the entrance to verify you are there to use benefits. This is normal and helps the warehouse track SNAP traffic. You can shop at any Costco with a pharmacy, regardless of which warehouse is closest to you.

Costco locations that do not accept SNAP

Costco warehouses without a pharmacy do not accept SNAP at all. This is most common in smaller markets or newer locations that have not yet added a pharmacy. There is no way around this — you cannot use SNAP at a non-pharmacy location even if you have a membership.

If your local Costco does not have a pharmacy, you have two options: find another Costco with a pharmacy nearby, or shop at a different grocery store that accepts SNAP. Most supermarkets, many discount chains, and many smaller grocery stores accept SNAP. You can search for SNAP-accepting stores near you using the USDA's store locator tool online.

Using SNAP at Costco online and through delivery

Costco does not accept SNAP for online orders or delivery through Instacart or any other service. SNAP payments only work at the warehouse checkout in person. If you want to use SNAP at Costco, you must go to a location with a pharmacy and pay at the register yourself.

Some other grocery stores and delivery services do accept SNAP online — Amazon Fresh and Walmart are two examples — but Costco is not one of them. If in-person shopping is difficult for you, check whether other stores near you offer SNAP-may be able to access delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to show my membership card to use SNAP at Costco?

No. You do not need a membership to shop with SNAP. You may need to show your SNAP card at the entrance, but not a membership card. If you want to buy non-food items or pay with cash, you will need a membership.

Can I use SNAP to buy items from the Costco food court?

No. The food court sells prepared and hot foods, which SNAP does not cover. SNAP only covers unprepared groceries you buy in the warehouse aisles.

What happens if I buy both SNAP-may be able to access and ineligible items together?

The cashier will separate them at checkout. Your SNAP card pays for the may be able to access food, and you pay cash or another card for the rest. This happens automatically — you do not have to do anything special.

Can I use SNAP at Costco.com?

No. SNAP only works at the warehouse checkout in person. Costco does not accept SNAP for online orders or delivery services.

What if my nearest Costco does not have a pharmacy?

You can shop at any other Costco with a pharmacy, or use SNAP at a different grocery store. Call ahead to confirm a warehouse has a pharmacy before you go.