Does Instacart Take EBT? – How to Use EBT Card on Instacart?

Can I use EBT on Instacart? YES! You can use EBT on Instacart!

For those who don’t know much about Instacart, it operates in the United States and Canada as a grocery delivery and pick-up service. Through its website and mobile app, the company offers its services. Using this service, customers can order groceries from participating retailers and a personal shopper will do the shopping for them.

Because everybody is living a busy life these days, so physical grocery shopping could be a time-consuming task. Also, it’s not always possible to go to the grocery store and buy items. To save you from the hustle of rushing to the store every time, Instacart has made grocery shopping super convenient by sitting at home and placing an order through the website or app.

The shopped items can then be delivered to your doorstep, or you may choose to pick them up from the store branch nearby. And the best part about Instacart is that you can pay using your EBT card which is not possible with other online grocery platforms.

Our article further contains information on Instacart accepting EBT, what stores accept EBT on Instacart, and answers to your related queries.

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What Are SNAP Benefits?

SNAP is one of the Nutrition assistance programs that are provided by the federal government. An Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card is used by the SNAP program to provide benefits to low-income families and individuals. In authorized retail food stores, you can use this card like a debit card.

Children, the elderly, and people with disabilities make up most of the participants in the program. According to an estimate, 86 percent of all SNAP benefits are distributed to households with children, the elderly, or disability-afflicted persons.

Can Food Stamps Be Used on Instacart?

A very simple answer to this is yes, food stamps can be used on Instacart. What most people here do not know is that food stamps do refer to the Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program (SNAP) and EBT. In other words, the Food Stamps or SNAP programs provide EBT cards to the people who qualify as beneficiaries of the program.

Before EBT cards were introduced, the process of the SNAP program depended on the paper ‘stamps’ due to which it was named food stamps. Later, cards became more common and now, EBT cards are used everywhere.

How to Use EBT Card on Instacart?

Adding an EBT card to your account is the first step to using it on Instacart. If you want to add an EBT card to your Instacart account, please follow the instructions below:

1. First of all, make sure you have the Instacart app downloaded on your mobile device
2. Sign up for an Instacart account using the app
3. Your e-mail address, password, and zip code will be asked which will be used to confirm which services are available in your area.
4. Now, located in the top left corner of your profile page, click the three horizontal lines.
5. Go to “Your account settings”.
6. Select “Payment methods” from the menu.
7. Here, you can add an EBT SNAP card by tapping “Add EBT SNAP card“.
8. Provide the required information for your EBT SNAP card.

After you’re done with providing all the information for setting up your Instacart account, you can now select the store you wish to shop at from the “Your Stores” section of your profile. The store’s homepage will then appear, where you can begin shopping.

Instacart offers curbside pickup as well as home delivery of groceries. To begin shopping, select the option that suits you best.

Upon completion of shopping, you will be prompted to proceed to the checkout process. If you wish to use your benefits at checkout, you must select how much is to be applied to your order. If your order also contains items that cannot be purchased through your BET card, then you must use some other payment method, such as credit or debit cards to settle the remaining balance.

Credit cards and debit cards are both accepted as payment methods on Instacart. Here are the steps you need to follow to pay from them:

1. Click on the top left of three horizontal lines on your profile page.
2. Select “Your account settings“
3. Choose “Payment methods“
4. Then select “Add a credit card or debit card“
5. And now, you will need to enter the details of your credit/debit card that are being asked for. The payment would be deducted from your account.

You Can Also Remove an EBT Card From Your Instacart Account!

An interesting thing about Instacart is that you can also remove or replace your current EBT account if ever needed. Because there is a limit of one EBT card you can connect on Instacart at a time, so, the old card must be taken down when you receive a new one and the new one should be added.

In case you exit the EBT program for some reason and then return later, a new card may be issued. Upon receiving the new card, your old one will become invalid and so, you must add your current new EBT card on Instacart.

Another case may be the loss or theft of your current EBT card which will also result in you receiving a new card. In this case, too, you’ll have to remove your old EBT card and enter the new one.

So, EBT cards can be removed or switched out easily, and here are the steps to be followed.

1. Go to the Instacart platform. Located in the top left corner of the app are three horizontal lines. Click on that.
2. Then select “Your account settings“.
3. Choose “Payment methods“.
4. Now, you can edit your EBT card here, doing almost the same as you did to add it.
5. This time, you will see the information on your current cards displayed, which you added previously. You can remove a card by selecting it.
6. If you’re on the app on your mobile phone, there will be a pencil icon. You can remove the card by clicking “Delete and Save“. If you’re on the website, then select “Delete” by clicking the dots next to the card.
7. At last, as you did to add your original EBT card to the platform, you must repeat the process to add a new one in the same way.

Items You Can Buy with EBT

Here’s a short list of the type of items you can buy with EBT whether you’re shopping in-store or online through Instacart.

• Fruits and vegetables
• Juices
• Dairy items
• Poultry and meat
• Non-alcoholic beverages
• Soft and energy drinks
• Pork products such as sausages
• Cooking oils
• Fresh, frozen, and canned products
• Food producing seeds
• Bread and cereals
• Bakery products such as pastries etc.
• Fish
• Candies, snacks, and chips
• Protein Powder

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Items You Cannot Buy with EBT

Here’s a short list of the type of items you CAN NOT buy with EBT whether you’re shopping in-store or online through Instacart.

Here’s a short list of the type of items you can’t buy with EBT at Shell convenience stores.

• Cigarettes, Drugs, and Alcoholic beverages
• Tobacco containing products
• Hot-prepared food items
• Medicines, vitamins, and supplements
• Pet foods and Live animals
• Sanitary and hygiene products
• Cleaning supplies
• Household items
• Cosmetics and Skincare products
• Toiletries
• Lottery Tickets

What Stores and States Have Approved Accepting EBT on Instacart?

Here are some major stores that accept EBT on Instacart, along with the names of the states that allow these stores to do so.

STORE – ALDI

STATES:

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• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi

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• Missouri
• Nebraska
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Vermont
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin

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STORE – FOOD LION

STATES:

1. Delaware
2. Georgia
3. Kentucky
4. Maryland
5. North Carolina
6. South Carolina
7. Tennessee
8. Virginia
9. West Virginia

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STORE – HANNAFORD

STATES:

1. Maine
2. New Hampshire
3. New York
4. Vermont

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STORE – PUBLIX

STATES:

1. Alabama
2. Florida
3. Georgia
4. North Carolina
5. South Carolina
6. Tennessee
7. Virginia

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STORE – SAVEMART & FOODMAXX

STATES:

1. California only

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STORE – STOP & SHOP

STATES:

1. Connecticut
2. Massachusetts
3. New Jersey
4. New York
5. Rhode Island

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STORE – PRICE CHOPPER

STATES:

6. Connecticut
7. Massachusetts
8. New Hampshire
9. New York
10. Pennsylvania
11. Vermont

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STORE – MARKET 32

STATES:

1. Connecticut
2. Massachusetts
3. New York
4. Pennsylvania
5. Vermont

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STORE – MARKET BISTRO

STATES:

1. New York only.

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Is It Possible to Pay Instacart Delivery and Service Fees Using EBT?

No, you cannot. Delivery and service fees cannot be paid through EBT cards on Instacart. This is because EBT cards can only be utilized for the purchase of grocery and food items that are approved as eligible by the USDA government. For any other purpose, such as for buying household items or paying for delivery charges, you must opt for some other payment method such as credit/debit card or cash.

On Instacart as well, you’ll have to add your debit/credit card as well if you intend to buy and pay for things other than SNAP-eligible ones.

Can You Tip Instacart Drivers From EBT?

No. Tips cannot be given from EBT cards. Just as it goes for the delivery and service charges, it also goes for the tips for drivers. They also aren’t something approved by the USDA government as SNAP-eligible. So, if you want to tip your Instacart driver, you may pay him through your debit/credit card or simply through cash.

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Does Instacart Take EBT? – FAQs

[wps_faq style=”classic” question=” Can you use EBT on Instacart in Hawaii?”]Yes. Hawaii is one of the states where Instacart operates. You can place an order for groceries on Instacart and schedule a pickup or you may opt for home delivery. People mostly prefer home delivery as the shopped items are delivered to your doorstep without a problem.[/wps_faq]

[wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Why did Instacart charge me $100?”]Your $100 charge from Instacart likely came from inadvertently registering for an Instacart Express membership and forgetting to cancel it later on.[/wps_faq]

[wps_faq style=”classic” question=” Does Instacart Take EBT in California?”]Yes. Instacart does take EBT in California. Instacart delivers groceries to Walmart, Amazon, and other grocery stores with your SNAP EBT Card if you are a California resident.[/wps_faq]

[wps_faq style=”classic” question=” Does Instacart Take EBT in Louisiana?”]Yes. Instacart does take EBT in Louisiana too. If you have a valid SNAP EBT card, you can use it for grocery shopping on Instacart in Louisiana.[/wps_faq]

[wps_faq style=”classic” question=” Is Instacart worth the money?”]Totally worth the money! The flexibility of Instacart makes it a great side hustle that can be done on your own schedule. The pay ranges from $15 to $20 per hour, and there is no experience requirement. Although Instacart can be a lucrative side hustle, it won’t replace your primary income source.[/wps_faq]

[wps_faq style=”classic” question=” Can you make $500 a week with Instacart?”]Yes, you can. If your pay averages $20 per hour, you will likely need to work around 25 hours a week to earn $500 from Instacart. Getting enough batches and shopping efficiently are also both necessary for getting this hourly rate in busy markets. Moreover, you can make $500 much faster if you get lucky with large tips. [/wps_faq]

Conclusion

There are many groceries stores available on Instacart from where you can shop, and there are still more added to the platform. And so, ordering groceries using your EBT has become a lot easier than buying groceries physically from the stores.

If you intend to shop for non-approved SNAP items too, you must know that you’ll need an alternative payment method for that, other than EBT.