Does Instacart take EBT? Instacart lets eligible SNAP participants pay for groceries online at thousands of participating stores across the U.S. But EBT on Instacart works a little differently than swiping your card at the checkout line. This guide walks you through which stores accept it.
1. Does Instacart Take EBT?
So, does Instacart Take EBT? Yes. Instacart accepts EBT SNAP as a payment method, but only at participating retailers, and only in states that take part in the USDA’s SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot.
So the answer to “does Instacart accept EBT?” is yes for most of the country. Shoppers in every state except Alaska, Louisiana, and Montana can currently use a valid EBT SNAP card on Instacart, and the list keeps expanding.
Because participation depends on both your state and your specific store, the safest way to confirm eligibility is inside the app itself. Not every grocery chain near you will offer EBT, even if a location of the same chain in another city does.
It’s also worth knowing that EBT SNAP and EBT Cash are two different benefits. EBT Cash, sometimes issued through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), is not accepted on Instacart the same way SNAP funds are.
2. How to Find EBT-Eligible Stores on Instacart
EBT SNAP isn’t available everywhere on Instacart, so it helps to check before you build a cart.
Participating retailers include ALDI, Food Lion, Save Mart, FoodMaxx, Price Chopper, and many regional grocery stores. To see if a store near you accepts EBT:
- Open the Instacart app or website and browse the list of participating retailers, or simply start shopping at your usual store and look for the EBT label.
- Once you turn on the “Show EBT eligibility by item” setting in your account, qualifying products will display an EBT tag under the price, so you’ll know what your card can cover before you check out.
If your local store isn’t showing EBT as a payment option, first make sure you’re using the latest version of the Instacart app. If it’s still missing after updating, the store may simply not be part of the program yet in your state.
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3. How to Add an EBT Card to Instacart
Before you can pay with EBT SNAP, you’ll need to add your card to your Instacart account.
- On the app, tap the Account icon, go to Settings, then select EBT SNAP under Payment Methods.
- From there, tap Add EBT SNAP card, enter the first and last name on the card along with the card number, then re-enter the number to confirm.
- On desktop, click the three-line menu, choose Your account settings, then select Add EBT SNAP card under EBT SNAP settings, and enter the same details before saving.
Instacart only allows one EBT card per account, so if you need to switch cards, remove the existing one first. You’ll also need to link a separate credit or debit card to your account.
Once both cards are saved, you can turn on the setting that shows EBT eligibility by item, making it easier to spot which products in your cart will be covered by your SNAP balance as you shop.
4. Step-by-Step Guide: Pay With EBT on Instacart
Once you link your EBT card and backup payment method, using them at checkout is straightforward.
- Start by shopping as usual, filling your cart with a mix of SNAP-eligible and non-eligible items if needed.
- When you’re ready, head to checkout and review your order. In the payment methods section, select your EBT SNAP card, then choose your backup credit or debit card to cover anything EBT can’t pay for.
- The order summary will break out a separate subtotal for SNAP-eligible items, so you can see exactly how much will be charged to your EBT balance versus your other card.
- After placing your order, you’ll be prompted to enter your EBT PIN on a secure onscreen keypad to authorize the SNAP portion of the payment.
5. Covered Items vs. Non-Eligible Instacart Fees
EBT SNAP funds can only go toward food items that meet USDA eligibility rules, and those rules are the same online as they are in a physical store.
Eligible purchases include fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, and fish, dairy products, breads and cereals, snack foods, non-alcoholic beverages, and seeds or plants that grow food for your household. Anything with a Nutrition Facts label, rather than a Supplement Facts label, is generally fair game.
SNAP benefits never cover alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, hot ready-to-eat foods, live animals, or non-food items like pet food, cleaning supplies, and cosmetics.
On Instacart, your EBT card only covers eligible groceries, it can’t be applied to delivery fees, service fees, bottle deposits, sales tax on non-SNAP items, or driver tips. Those charges bill automatically to the credit or debit card linked to your account. It applies at every participating retailer.
6. How to Fix Failed EBT Payments on Instacart
If your EBT payment doesn’t go through, start with the basics:
- Make sure your card has enough available balance and that you’re entering the correct PIN.
- Double-check that your card details were entered correctly when you first added it, including the exact first and last name printed on the card.
- Also confirm your store is actually part of Instacart’s EBT program in your state.
- If problems continue after trying these steps, update the app to the latest version or reach out to Instacart support for help.
7. Tips to Save Money When Using EBT on Instacart
Stretching your SNAP benefits further starts with paying attention to the extras Instacart offers EBT shoppers.
- Check your account for member-exclusive EBT offers, including discounted or free Instacart+ membership promotions.
- It’s also worth watching for delivery fee promotions tied specifically to SNAP-eligible orders, since these can reduce or waive the cost of getting groceries to your door on qualifying purchases.
- Beyond promotions, turning on the “Show EBT eligibility by item” setting helps you build a cart strategically.
8. FAQs
Before placing your order, review these quick answers to common questions about how does Instacart take EBT for online grocery delivery and pickup.
Can I use EBT SNAP at any Instacart store?
No. So, does Instacart take EBT at every store? Not quite, it’s only available at participating retailers in states that take part in the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot. Availability depends on both your location and the specific store.
Does Instacart accept EBT Cash?
No. Instacart accepts EBT SNAP benefits but does not accept EBT Cash, such as funds issued through TANF, as a payment method.
Do I need a debit or credit card if I pay with EBT?
Yes. A separate credit or debit card must be linked to your account to cover delivery fees, service fees, taxes, tips, and any non-EBT-eligible items in your order.
What happens if your Instacart order changes?
If a SNAP-eligible item is unavailable, your shopper will suggest another EBT-eligible replacement first. Non-EBT replacements are charged to your backup card only if you approve them.
Does Instacart offer discounts for EBT users?
Instacart periodically offers EBT-specific promotions, such as discounted Instacart+ membership or delivery fee savings, for customers who have placed a qualifying EBT SNAP order.
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9. Conclusion
If you were still wondering, does Instacart take EBT, the answer is a definitive yes.
By adding your SNAP EBT card to your profile, you can easily shop for eligible groceries from participating retailers right from your phone. Just remember to link a secondary payment method (like a debit or credit card) to cover delivery fees, driver tips, and any non-eligible items in your cart.
