Does Walmart Accept Food Stamps in 2023?

We get the question "Does Walmart Accept Food Stamps " and here's what you need to know!

Does Walmart Accept Food Stamps?

Yes, Walmart does accept EBT payments for SNAP eligible grocery items in-store at all 4,743 of its locations, as well as online on Walmart.com in select areas.

Walmart was one of the first retail chains to accept food stamps as payment for groceries at its stores.

Since then, as Walmart captures 18% of all SNAP transactions, it has continued to help SNAP beneficiaries get food for themselves and their families.

In 2017, Walmart started accepting EBT payments for curbside and store pickups.

To meet the growing demand for online deliveries during the pandemic, Walmart partnered with the USDA’s online purchasing program.

Through the USDA’s online purchasing program, SNAP recipients, especially those living in under-served communities, are now able to access healthy and nutritious food and have their orders delivered to their homes by Walmart. 

However, Walmart online and pickup services are available only in select states.

Walmart stores in the states of Alaska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Maine and Montana unfortunately do not offer online grocery deliveries.

SNAP beneficiaries who reside in states where online EBT payments are not available can pay with their EBT cards upon checking-out their items in-store or upon pickup of their orders.

There is no required minimum order amount for both online delivery and pickup, but the catch is that stores can only deliver to homes within a 9-10-mile radius. 

In addition, you will have to pay for your deliveries out-of-pocket unless you have an active Walmart Plus membership, which gives members access to free delivery options and other perks like discounted gas and prescription drugs. 

About SNAP

Since its launch in 1939, SNAP has become the largest federal welfare program aimed at helping low-income Americans put food on their table.

SNAP is a social safety net and an effective first-line of defense against hunger and poverty, especially during the pandemic that put millions of Americans out of work. 

With a budget of $80 billion, SNAP currently serves 44 million low-income, homeless and disabled Americans, about 11% of the U.S population. 

If you or your family are in financial distress for whatever reason, whether due to job loss, illness or disability, you can avail of SNAP benefits provided that you meet eligibility requirements.

Individuals and families who currently receive other government assistance are automatically eligible for SNAP. 

To apply for SNAP benefits, reach out to your local SNAP office. 

You can find a directory of SNAP offices here.

When you are deemed eligible, you will be given an EBT card with a unique 4-digit pin. 

Your benefits will be loaded to this card at the beginning of each month.

As of October 1, a family of four will receive $835 of SNAP benefits each month.

How to Use Food Stamps at Walmart

To redeem your SNAP benefits at Walmart stores or on Walmart.com, you first need to have a valid EBT card with sufficient balance.

You can check your balance through the ConnectEBT app.

In-Store

Using your EBT card in-store at Walmart is exactly like using your credit or debit card anywhere.

After loading your cart with SNAP-eligible grocery items, head for the cashier and inform them that you will be using your EBT card. 

The cashier rings up your items, then scans your EBT card.

At this point, you simply have to dial in your pin number to complete your purchase.

Delivery from Store Option

To order online, first you need to open an account on Walmart grocery or on the Walmart app if you don’t have one yet. 

Log-in to your account and add a payment method. 

If your local Walmart accepts online EBT payments, you will be able to add your EBT information. 

Enter your card information and hit save. 

You will have to wait for 24 hours for your no minimum order to kick in. 

After 24 hours, you can now build your cart, and when you’re done, proceed to checkout.

On the checkout page, select the “delivery from store” option and your EBT card for your payment method. 

Walmart delivery fees typically cost $7.99 to $9.95, which you will have to cover with EBT cash benefits or your personal debit card. 

Click continue, then enter your 4-digit pin to complete your order.

Curbside Pickup

Curbside pickup is an option if your local Walmart store doesn’t do deliveries or you’d like to skip paying delivery fees.

Order as you would for store deliveries, but select “pickup” on the checkout page.

Select a pickup time, then complete your order.

Orders that come in before 4 pm are usually ready for pickup the same day, but keep in mind that pickup times differ between stores and same day pickups may not be available when demand for the service is high. 

When your order is ready, you will receive a confirmation email. 

A Walmart associate will process your payment when you arrive at the designated pickup area, then load your orders to your car.

Curbside pickups are free-charge.

What Can You Buy With Your Food Stamps at Walmart?

All food and food products that you can prepare at home are eligible for purchase as part of your SNAP benefits.

These include:

• Fruits and vegetables, canned, fresh or frozen
• Meat and poultry, canned, fresh or frozen
• Seafood, canned, fresh or frozen
• Dairy (e.g milk, butter, cheese, cream)
• Non-alcoholic beverages
• Snacks (e.g cookies, chips, ice cream, chocolate, candy)
• Pantry staples (e.g cooking oil, condiments)
• Seeds and plants to grow food at home

In some states like Arizona, California, and Rhode Island, homeless, elderly and disabled persons may avail of the expanded SNAP benefits through the Restaurant Meal Program (RMP). 

Through RMP, eligible recipients can purchase hot prepared meals from RMP-authorized restaurants and food courts. 

Although Walmart itself doesn’t operate an RMP-authorized restaurant or food court, fast-food places like Subway with branches located at some Walmart stores are authorized to accept SNAP payments.

What Items Are Not Eligible For SNAP Purchase at Walmart?

Your SNAP benefits will not cover these:

• Tobacco and cigarette products
• Personal care products (e.g soap, shampoo, toothpaste, tampons)
• Household products (e.g laundry detergent, bleach)
• Pet supplies
• Baby supplies
• Vitamins and medicines
• Alcoholic drinks
• Delivery fees
• Walmart membership

Can You Use Food Stamps at Walmart’s Self-Checkout?

Surprisingly, unlike Sam’s Club, Walmart does allow SNAP recipients to use their EBT card during self-checkout. 

To do this, ring up your items, and when it comes to payment, you will be presented with various choices.

Select “other payment methods” and tap on the “EBT” option.

Swipe your EBT card, then enter your 4-digit pin to complete your purchase. 

Is Walmart a WIC-Approved Retailer?

Yes, Walmart accepts Women, Infant and Children (WIC) payments for WIC-approved items for in-store purchases.

If you’re a WIC recipient, you can shop at Walmart for items like:

• Baby food and formula
• Whole grains (e.g bread, tortilla, brown rice, cereal, pasta)
• Produce
• Eggs and yogurt
• Canned tuna and salmon
• Peanut butter
• Tofu
• Beans

Unfortunately, beneficiaries still can’t use WIC for store deliveries or curbside pickup.

Conclusion

SNAP has provided a social safety net to millions of low-income Americans since 1939.

It has shown to be effective not only in reducing hunger, but in lifting people from poverty as well.

As the world’s largest retailer and first company to hit a billion dollars in sales in a week, Walmart has served more SNAP beneficiaries than any other retailer.

Walmart offers convenient store deliveries, free curbside pickups and a wide selection of affordable grocery items with no minimum order requirement. 

With a wide reach as it has, Walmart is able to offer these services to more than 70% of the U.S population.