The continuous inflation around the world has been making the price climb higher and higher. Millions of Americans struggle to afford food and daily needs with their low income. But the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is a great relief for those families who find it difficult to buy bread, cereal, and other foods, even for their babies. Every state government issues SNAP to needy families according to their financial condition. And people get those monthly government benefits through the EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card. But lots of people find it frustrating to figure out where to redeem the benefits and where to go to purchase food. Trader Joe’s accept EBT card and it could be a relief for you if you are looking for a grocery store to make a purchase using it.
Trader Joe’s, the national chain of grocery stores, has long been known for providing the best quality products at the most affordable prices. Now the EBT cardholders’ every question about Trader Joe’s is going to be answered here.
Does Trader Joe’s accept EBT card payment for buying goods?
If you are an EBT cardholder and have a nearby Trader Joe’s store, then get into that store without any hesitation to purchase food items that are eligible for EBT cards. You will be happy to know that all the Trader Joe’s stores accept EBT cards for eligible products. They have already been offering low-cost, nutritious food to low-income families. As you know, some food items are listed as eligible by the state government for SNAP beneficiaries. Since you are enjoying the SNAP benefits using the EBT card, you can only buy eligible food and grocery products.
Trader Joe’s sells high-quality and unique food and grocery items with proper nutrition that you would struggle to find anywhere else. Just get into one of the 530 Trader Joe’s stores and keep in mind the eligible product list while selecting the products you need, swipe the card, and enjoy your SNAP throughout the month. They have those stores in common areas in almost all states. Every store maintains and follows the rules and regulations for the EBT cards approved by the USDA.
How to use an EBT card at Trader Joe’s?
If you follow the USDA-approved SNAP rules and select the eligible products for the EBT card, then purchasing at Trader Joe’s stores is so simple and fast that you won’t find any hassle here. Within the eligible products, using the EBT card is like using any other debit card in the store. Don’t think about the hassle when you get into Trader Joe’s because their hassle-free procedures let you concentrate on your purchase only. The rest, you will see, works automatically. But make sure you have a sufficient balance on your EBT card before going to purchase any products. There are a few convenient things that can help you accomplish your SNAP-eligible product purchase.
- Get to the nearby Trader Joe’s store and select the food items that you listed to buy. Make sure you are picking up the products that you are allowed to buy with your EBT card.
- After collecting all the grocery and food items, go to the cash counter and the cashier should scan your items individually, as any other store does. Then swipe your EBT card through the point of sale machine. Or the cashier would do it for you.
- Then enter your 4-digit PIN correctly on the machine. Memorizing or keeping a note of the PIN is important; otherwise, you won’t be able to pay for the items.
- Then authorize your purchase with the EBT card. After that, you are okay to leave the store with your product. Lastly, don’t forget to collect your cash receipt from the cash register.
Remember that your EBT card will accept only purchase eligible products from the Trader Joe’s stores. Otherwise, pay with cash or another debit card.
What can I buy with an EBT card at Trader Joe’s?
The USDA decides only which products you can buy with the EBT card. And Trader Joe’s stores follow the regulations strictly. Here is a list of food items that are eligible to be accept bought with an EBT card at Trader Joe’s:
- Snacks, crackers, and chips
- Seeds, nuts, and plants
- Fish and seafood
- Pork Products
- Soft drinks and coffee
- Poultry and meat
- Ice cream, brownies, cookies, etc.
- Dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese, etc.)
- Fruits and vegetables
- Cooking Oil
- Bread, eggs, cereal
What items can’t I buy at Trader Joe’s with EBT?
Remember that the Trader Joe’s store has a variety of grocery items, but EBT cardholders can only buy SNAP-eligible food items from their stores. Here is a tentative list to give you an idea of the products that you cannot buy at Trader Joe’s with an EBT card.
- Vitamins
- Medicine
- Alcohol
- Pet food
- Tobacco
- Feminine products
- Cleaning items
Can I use my EBT card for online orders and pickup at Trader Joe’s?
It’s bad news for you if you have no other option than to make an online purchase using your EBT card. Because Trader Joe’s sells food products to EBT users only through in-store purchases. So, if you wish to redeem your SNAP benefits at any of the Trader Joe’s stores, you must purchase in-store physically. And for online purchases, you will have to look for other options by using another payment method.
How do I check the balance of my EBT card?
There are several ways to keep track of your EBT card balance. And remember to check your EBT card balance every time you purchase something or withdraw cash from a store.
- Simply collect the cash receipt from the counter every time you purchase something using your EBT card. The last available balance remains on the cash receipt as the statement, and you can guess your next purchase limit.
- Check the EBT card balance anytime by logging in to your EBT account portal.
- You can call the EBT customer support number at 1-888-356-3281, which you should see on the back of your EBT card. Here you will have to enter the EBT card number (16 digits) and the voice reply should let you hear the account balance available.
- You can also check your EBT card balance at an ATM or POS machine in the store.
Benefits of using the EBT card at Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s offers the best quality food and grocery products at the best prices in the market. They provide food benefits and cash benefits to public service employees. This chain store was originally formed to sell products to people who were on a tight food budget and were looking for an affordably priced store. Trader Joe’s doesn’t emphasize brand products; instead, they offer quality products. Another beneficial thing is that you will discover unique and interesting products besides the daily necessary items. You can separately pay for products that are not eligible for EBT cards, as Trader Joe’s accept various payment methods.
What are Trader Joe’s working hours?
It depends on the state and the store’s regulations. Generally, Trader Joe’s stores remain open from 8 AM to 9 PM, while some stores change the opening and closing times based on their locations and customers’ rush. It’s better to make sure if the nearby store is open before going there.