Sam's Club does accept SNAP benefits, but only for certain items and only at warehouse locations, not online.
Sam's Club accepts SNAP (the federal program formerly called food stamps) at all of its physical warehouse locations in the United States. You can use your SNAP card like a debit card at checkout. However, the same rules that apply everywhere else apply at Sam's Club: you can only buy food items intended for home preparation and consumption. You cannot buy prepared foods, alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, medicine, pet food, or household supplies with SNAP, even though Sam's Club sells all of these things.
Sam's Club does not accept SNAP for online orders through its website or app. If you want to use SNAP at Sam's Club, you must shop in person at a warehouse location and pay at a physical register.
Key Takeaways
- SNAP works at Sam's Club warehouse locations during checkout, but you must shop in person — online orders cannot be paid with SNAP.
- You can only buy food items that are uncooked or unprepared; rotisserie chickens, deli items, and hot foods at the food court are not covered.
- Bulk-size packages of SNAP-may be able to access foods (frozen vegetables, canned goods, rice, beans, dairy) are common at Sam's Club and work the same way as smaller packages at other stores.
- If your SNAP card is declined, check with the cashier whether the item is SNAP-ineligible or whether there is a technical issue with the card reader.
What you can and cannot buy with SNAP at Sam's Club
SNAP covers the same categories at Sam's Club as it does at any grocery store. You can buy fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, or canned), meat and poultry, fish and shellfish, dairy products, breads and grains, snack foods like nuts and crackers, and beverages like milk and juice. Bulk sizes and warehouse-brand versions of these items all count.
SNAP does not cover hot or prepared foods. This means the rotisserie chickens in the deli case, the pizza slices, the hot dogs at the food court, and any item sold warm or ready-to-eat are off-limits. Deli items like sliced cheese or deli meat that are cold and sold by weight also cannot be purchased with SNAP at Sam's Club, because they are considered prepared foods. Alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, pet food, and cleaning supplies are never covered by SNAP anywhere.
If you are unsure whether a specific item is covered, ask the cashier before you pay. The register will usually flag ineligible items and separate them from your SNAP purchase, so you can pay for them with another payment method if you choose.
How to use your SNAP card at Sam's Club
Using SNAP at Sam's Club works the same way as using it at any other store. When you reach the checkout register, tell the cashier you are paying with SNAP. Hand over your SNAP card (also called an EBT card). The cashier will swipe or insert the card into the card reader, just as they would for a credit or debit card. You may be asked to enter your PIN.
The register will separate SNAP-may be able to access items from ineligible ones. Your SNAP balance will only be charged for the may be able to access food items. If you have ineligible items, you will need to pay for those with cash, a debit card, a credit card, or another payment method.
Sam's Club membership is required to shop there. Your SNAP card does not replace the membership card — you still need a valid Sam's Club membership to enter the warehouse and make purchases.
Sam's Club membership and SNAP
You must have an active Sam's Club membership to shop at the warehouse, even if you are paying with SNAP. Sam's Club does not waive the membership requirement for SNAP users. Membership costs vary by location and membership tier, but a basic membership typically costs between $45 and $60 per year.
Some states and local programs offer assistance with Sam's Club membership fees for people receiving SNAP, but this is not a federal program and availability varies widely. Contact your state SNAP office or local community action agency to ask whether membership assistance is available where you live.
Bulk buying with SNAP at Sam's Club
One reason people use Sam's Club with SNAP is that bulk sizes often cost less per unit than smaller packages at traditional grocery stores. A large bag of frozen vegetables, a bulk pack of chicken breasts, or a large container of rice may stretch your SNAP balance further than buying the same items in smaller quantities elsewhere.
Keep in mind that bulk items expire just like regular-sized items do. If you live alone or in a small household, buying very large quantities may mean some food goes bad before you can use it. Plan your purchases based on how much you can realistically eat before the expiration date.
What to do if your SNAP card is declined
If your SNAP card is declined at Sam's Club, the most common reasons are: the item you are buying is not SNAP-may be able to access, your SNAP balance is too low to cover the purchase, or there is a technical problem with the card reader. Ask the cashier which of these is the issue.
If the problem is a low balance, you can remove items from your purchase and try again with a smaller total. If the problem is a technical issue, ask the cashier to try swiping the card again or using a different card reader. If the problem is an ineligible item, the cashier can remove it and process only the may be able to access food items.
If your card is not working at all and you believe there is money in your account, contact your state SNAP office. They can check your balance and troubleshoot card problems. Do not assume the card is broken — sometimes the issue is a temporary system outage that resolves on its own within a few hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use SNAP to buy Sam's Club gift cards?
No. Gift cards are not food items and are not covered by SNAP. You can only use SNAP to pay directly for may be able to access food at checkout.
Does Sam's Club accept SNAP online or for delivery?
No. SNAP is only accepted for in-person purchases at Sam's Club warehouse locations. Online orders and delivery services cannot be paid with SNAP.
Can I use SNAP at the Sam's Club food court?
No. The food court sells prepared and hot foods, which are not covered by SNAP. You can only use SNAP for packaged or uncooked food items you take home.
What if I do not have a Sam's Club membership?
You cannot shop at Sam's Club without a membership, even with SNAP. Some states offer membership assistance programs for SNAP recipients — contact your state SNAP office to ask whether this is available in your area.
Can I buy deli meat or cheese at Sam's Club with SNAP?
Deli items sold cold by weight are considered prepared foods and are not covered by SNAP. Pre-packaged cheese and deli meat in the refrigerated section are covered by SNAP.