It is always a common question of new EBT users about where to redeem the SNAP monthly benefits. They get confused about what to purchase through this card and where to purchase products. EBT is basically for those who are regarded as low-income citizens and need food and nutrition support. Thus, the state governments allocate monthly benefits to those eligible households that allow them to buy food products for family members.
The USDA (United State Department of Agriculture) administers the program and selects the food items that people can buy through the EBT card. They make the list based on the necessities of a family regarding food and nutrition habits. The EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card actually allows a beneficiary family to redeem the allocated benefits each month. You cannot buy whatever you need with this card. Here I am going to make it clear to you every curiosity regarding the EBT card and if Sam’s Club accept it. Luckily, they accepted it and kept reading to explore the details.
Does Sam’s Club accept EBT card payment ?
Many retail store companies in the country accept EBT cards. But getting into a Sam’s Club store with your EBT card and purchasing eligible products shouldn’t be confusing anymore. That means you can use your EBT card at Sam’s Club as they started accepting this card. Sam’s Club has more than 600 stores in 47 states, and all of them accept EBT as a form of payment. Sam’s Club stores are popular with consumers for their large variety of grocery items, including SNAP-eligible food products. You should have known that Sam’s Club is a membership-only warehouse club that was launched to provide a variety of products with huge savings for the club members. Now if you become a Sam’s Club member, then you can buy anything in-club without incurring the service charge.
Sam’s Club warehouse club accommodates bulk items of food products that I think can provide you with anything within your EBT product list. Hopefully, you won’t need to look for other stores to purchase your EBT products if you enter one of the Sam’s Club stores.
How do I use my EBT card at Sam’s Club?
If you own an EBT card from the state government, then you must know what to buy with this card. There are some food items that you can buy with your monthly EBT benefits. If you choose other products outside of this USDA-approved list, then you will have to pay using other payment methods. Redeeming your monthly SNAP benefits through an EBT card at a Sam’s Club store is worth enjoying.
You will get the monthly benefits at the beginning of the month, and then you will just have to find a nearby Sam’s Club warehouse to redeem the benefits. You can find the nearby Sam’s Club location by visiting https://www.samsclub.com/locator. Just enter your ZIP code or the city name and the locator should show you Sam’s Club store list and their locations. You will also get the contact numbers of every club. It is always wise to contact the club over the phone beforehand if you plan to attend there physically. Then you can schedule your shopping according to the opening and closing times. Besides, make sure you have an available balance on your EBT card to avoid any unwanted circumstances when purchasing at the club.
Now it’s your turn to do your shopping using your EBT card at the nearby Sam’s Club. Don’t worry, it’s no different than any other debit card in a store. Just follow the examples here below:
- Roam throughout the store and add anything to the shopping cart from the store. Just don’t select anything other than food items. Stick to the SNAP-eligible list of food items. And stick to your EBT card balance.
- Now you will have to check out all the food items you collected. You can do it yourself at the kiosk or go to the cashier.
- Then swipe your card through the POS machine. All the EBT-items will be deducted from the card. If there are any ineligible items, then pay with another debit or credit card separately.
Remember again, Sam’s Club is a membership-only retail chain. With the annual fee, you can enjoy other services, including discount programs.
What can I buy at Sam’s Club with EBT card ?
As I mentioned earlier in the article, SNAP provides only food items through this EBT card. You can enjoy monthly food and nutrition products through the card. See the whole list of approved food items by visiting https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligible-food-items. Here are the categories of food products that Sam’s Club accept EBT card payment.
- Dairy Products
- Meat, poultry, fish, and seafood (fresh, frozen, and canned)
- Bread and cereals
- Fruit and vegetables (fresh, frozen, and canned)
- Snack foods such as chips and nuts
- Seeds and plants that produce food for households
- Non-alcoholic beverages such as soda and juice
What items can’t I buy at Sam’s Club with EBT?
It’s not up to Sam’s Club what you can buy and you cannot use your EBT card. The USDA makes the list, and Sam’s Club just follows the rules. Here are some of the products that are regarded as ineligible to be bought using an EBT card.
- Supplements and vitamins
- Cigarettes and tobacco products
- Alcohol
- Medicine and baby formula
- Pet food
- Hot foods
- Feminine products such as cosmetics
- paper products and household supplies.
- Cleaning supplies and hygiene items.
Can I use my EBT card for online purchases at Sam’s Club?
Sam’s Club does not accept online orders from members with EBT cards. Your EBT card can only be used for purchases at in-clubs. Sam’s Club offers online delivery and other payment methods to club members only. You can either use any other payment method or choose any other store that accepts online orders with an EBT card if you need the order to be delivered right away.
Can I use my EBT card at Sam’s Club Food Court?
Since Sam’s Club food court prepares hot foods or prepared foods, your EBT card is not accepted here as these items are considered ineligible for an EBT card. So, you cannot use your EBT card at Sam’s Club food court. The food court sells ready-to-eat pizza, hot dogs, pretzels, yogurt cups, salads, and many more prepared foods that are not eligible for SNAP benefits.
Can I use my EBT card at Sam’s Scan and Go?
This app is for club members that allow scanning of the items that they want to purchase. But EBT cardholders cannot use this feature as they have to go through the check-out kiosk.