Can You Use Food Stamps for Walmart Delivery? Your Guide to Online Grocery Shopping

Ever wondered if you could use your food stamps to get groceries delivered right to your door from Walmart? It’s a common question these days as more and more people are shopping online. We’re here to clear up any confusion and explain exactly how you can use food stamps for Walmart delivery, helping you make the most of your benefits and convenience.

Yes, You Can Use EBT for Walmart Online Orders!

Many folks ask, “can you use food stamps for walmart delivery?” and the good news is that for most of your food purchases, the answer is yes! Walmart participates in the SNAP Online Purchasing Program, which means you can use your EBT card to pay for eligible food items when you order groceries online for delivery or pickup. This is super helpful because it gives you more ways to get your groceries without needing to go inside the store, especially if you have a busy schedule or can’t easily get to Walmart.

What Are Food Stamps (SNAP/EBT)?

Food stamps, officially called SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), are a program that helps families buy nutritious food. Instead of actual paper stamps, you get a special card, kind of like a debit card, called an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card.

When you use your EBT card, money is electronically taken off your balance when you pay for groceries. It’s designed to be easy and secure.

1. You get a certain amount of benefits loaded onto your card each month.
2. You can use this card at approved grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and even some online stores.
3. The goal is to help you put healthy food on the table for your family.

You can use your EBT card at many places, and Walmart is one of the biggest stores that accepts it, both in person and online.

How Does Walmart Handle EBT Online?

Walmart has made it pretty straightforward to use your EBT card for online orders. When you shop on Walmart’s website or app, you add items to your cart just like you normally would. The cool part is that when you get to the checkout page, you’ll have an option to select EBT as a payment method.

You can usually split your payment, meaning you can use your EBT card for the food items and then use a regular debit/credit card or another payment method for things that EBT doesn’t cover, like delivery fees or non-food items. It’s a smooth process designed to make online shopping accessible.

Here’s a quick look at the steps involved:

Once your payment is confirmed, Walmart gets your order ready, and it’ll either be delivered to you or ready for pickup, depending on what you chose.

What You Can Buy with EBT at Walmart

When you’re using your EBT card, whether online or in the store, there are rules about what you can buy. The main rule is that you can only buy food items meant to be eaten by people. This includes most pantry staples and fresh ingredients.

Think of things like:

• Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, canned)
• Meats, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)
• Breads and cereals
• Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
• Seeds and plants that produce food for your household to eat

Basically, if it’s something you would cook or eat, it’s probably covered. Walmart’s online system is usually smart enough to help you figure out what’s eligible as you add items to your cart.

This means you can fill your virtual cart with healthy foods to feed your family, from fresh produce for salads to milk and eggs for breakfast. It helps ensure everyone has access to nutritious meals.

What You Can’t Buy with EBT at Walmart

While EBT covers a lot of food items, there are some things you cannot buy with your food stamps. These are usually non-food items or prepared foods that are meant to be eaten in the store or that are very hot when purchased.

For example, you can’t use your EBT card for things like cleaning supplies, paper products, pet food, or alcoholic beverages. Hot foods that are ready to eat, like rotisserie chickens that are still warm, are also usually not allowed.

1. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products
2. Vitamins and medicines
3. Hot foods prepared for immediate consumption
4. Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered prior to pick-up from the retailer)
5. Non-food items like pet food, soaps, paper products, and household supplies

It’s important to remember these restrictions so you don’t run into issues at checkout. For these items, you’ll need to use a different payment method, even if they are part of the same grocery order.

Understanding Delivery Fees and EBT

Here’s a super important point for online delivery: while you can use your EBT card for the food items, it generally does not cover the extra costs associated with delivery. This means you’ll need to pay for those fees separately.

What EBT typically *doesn’t* cover for online orders:

• Delivery fees (the charge for someone bringing your groceries to you)
• Service fees (sometimes an extra charge for shopping and preparing your order)
• Tips for the delivery driver (if you choose to add one)
• Bags (in areas where stores charge for grocery bags)

So, even if your food total is fully covered by EBT, you’ll need to have a credit card, debit card, or another payment method ready to pay for these additional costs. This is a common rule across most grocery stores that offer online EBT purchasing.

If you have a Walmart+ membership, some of these fees might be waived, which can be a great way to save money if you order often. However, the EBT card itself cannot be used to pay for a Walmart+ membership.

Always check the total breakdown at checkout to see what additional fees you might be responsible for. Planning ahead can save you from surprises!

Pickup vs. Delivery for EBT Users

When you’re shopping online with Walmart, you usually have two main choices: grocery pickup or grocery delivery. Both options allow you to use your EBT card for eligible food items, but there are some key differences, especially when it comes to extra costs.

Grocery pickup is often the most budget-friendly choice. You place your order online, pick a time slot, and then drive to your local Walmart. A staff member will load your groceries directly into your car. There are usually no extra fees for pickup, which means your EBT card can cover the entire cost of your eligible food items.

Grocery delivery, on the other hand, brings your groceries right to your home. This is super convenient, but as we discussed, it usually comes with delivery fees. These fees are not covered by EBT, so you’ll need to pay for them using another payment method. Sometimes there’s also a minimum order amount for delivery.

Here’s a quick comparison:

So, if you want to avoid extra charges and maximize your EBT benefits for food, pickup is a great option. If convenience is your top priority and you don’t mind paying the delivery fees with another card, then delivery is a fantastic choice.

Steps to Use EBT for Walmart Online Groceries

Ready to give it a try? Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to using your EBT card for Walmart online grocery orders:

First, make sure you have a Walmart account (it’s free to sign up!). Then, either go to Walmart.com or open the Walmart app on your phone. Start adding all the groceries you need to your virtual shopping cart. It works just like regular online shopping, making it easy to browse and select items.

Once your cart is full, head to checkout. You’ll need to choose either “Pickup” or “Delivery” and select your preferred time slot. When you get to the payment section, look for the option to add or select EBT as a payment method. You’ll then enter your EBT card number and your PIN, just like you would at a store’s checkout terminal.

If your order includes non-food items or if you chose delivery and have fees, you’ll be prompted to pay the remaining balance with another debit or credit card. Make sure to review your order one last time before confirming your purchase.

• Sign in to your Walmart account online or in the app.
• Add EBT-eligible food items to your cart.
• Proceed to checkout and select your preferred pickup or delivery option.
• Enter your EBT card details and PIN when prompted for payment.
• Pay any remaining balance (like delivery fees) with a separate credit/debit card.
• Confirm your order, and you’re all set!

It’s a straightforward process designed to help you get your groceries efficiently and conveniently.

So, there you have it! Using your food stamps for Walmart delivery is not only possible but also a convenient way to get your groceries. While your EBT card covers all your eligible food items, remember to budget for any delivery fees or non-food purchases with a separate payment method. Whether you choose the free pickup option or the convenience of home delivery, Walmart makes it easier for EBT users to shop for fresh and healthy food online.