H Mart is often the store of choice to buy Asian foods and K-beauty products. But, to make things even more convenient, it stocks a wide range of other Western groceries too. H Mart’s excellent food variety makes it an ideal place to shop for SNAP-reliant families. But, does the store EBT?
H Mart accepts SNAP EBT benefits in-store as a valid form of payment. Even though the store does not explicitly state EBT as an in-store payment method on its website, store representatives confirm that SNAP beneficiaries can use their government-issued cards to pay for eligible items. However, you cannot use your EBT benefits for online purchases from H Mart.
Read on as we discuss what you can buy with your EBT card and how to use it in H Mart locations.
Does H Mart Accept EBT Online?
As we discussed, H Mart does not take EBT online. For orders made through their website, the supermarket chain only accepts all major credit cards (including non-US American Express credit cards), Visa or Mastercard ATM/ check/ debit cards. You also have the facility to make online payments through PayPal.
On the other hand, there are several different payment methods apart from EBT that you cannot use at H Mart online. The Asian-American business also does not accept checks, cash, and money orders.
Thus, if SNAP-reliant individuals need to order Asian essentials from H Mart, they need to use an alternate payment method. Keep in mind that if you request your groceries online through H Mart, your debit/ credit card is charged immediately. However, any difference between the original and actual bill will be balanced. This can happen due to a substitute item or an out-of-stock product. The refund, when applicable, will take close to 5 business days.
Finding Out Which H Mart Locations Take EBT
Store representatives from various locations confirmed that you could pay for groceries using your EBT card in-store at H Mart. However, since the store’s website does not clarify in-store payment methods, it is always better to check with your local store before making the trip.
Moreover, despite several H Mart store locations confirming the acceptance of EBT benefits, states can have different regulations and requisites for SNAP-approved retailers. So, how do you find out if your local H Mart takes EBT or not?
You can use the Store Finder feature on their website’s homepage. Upon clicking, you will be redirected to a new page to find all H Mart store locations. Selecting the desired location will show the store’s address and phone number. After that, you can call the store beforehand to ensure they accept EBT for eligible purchases.
If you are unsure which location is closest to you, you can also search the store name by location and select the search radius. The website will show you the nearest stores to your location.
Alternatively, you can call the H Mart store Inquiry number at 1-877-427-7386, active from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm (EST).
What Can You Buy At H Mart With SNAP EBT Benefits?
H Mart has a variety of instant meals, groceries, fresh produce, home supplies, and beauty products. However, with SNAP benefits, there are restrictions on what you can and cannot buy. In essence, you can only purchase food staples or products with Nutritional Facts labels. In addition, anything with a Supplement Facts label, alcoholic beverages, and non-food items are not eligible for purchase with your SNAP EBT card. Moreover, you can also not buy any food that is sold hot.
Here is a list of everything you can buy with SNAP benefits:
- Vegetables and fruits
- Poultry, meat, and fish
- Cereals, bread, and dairy products
- Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages
- Plants and seeds that can help grow more food at home
You can’t buy paper products, cleaning or beauty supplies, hygiene products, alcoholic drinks, tobacco, cigarettes, or live animals. Find more information regarding SNAP eligibility here.
Using EBT at H Mart
Using Your EBT card at H Mart is the same as using various electronic payment methods. First, let the store attendant know you will be using your SNAP EBT card at the checkout. After that, the card is swiped at the POS system, and you will need to insert your 4-PIN digit to authorize the transaction. That’s all there is to it!
If you have non-eligible items in your cart, you can pay for them with any alternative payment method like cash, credit card, debit card, or PayPal.
H Mart Store Hours
Using the Store Finder feature, you can also find out the store hours for all H Mart locations. In this way, you will never have to make the drive only to find the store closed. To find your local H Mart’s hours, go to the Store Finder tab and click on it; select any location. You will be able to see their hours for the whole week under other information like address and contact number.
The Bottom Line
H Mart accepts EBT in-store. However, to ensure that your local H Mart takes EBT, you can use their Store Finder (accessible through the homepage of their website) for contact information. Call the store to confirm if EBT is a valid payment method there; the answer will likely be yes. However, unfortunately, H Mart does not accept EBT online, and you can only pay using valid debit and credit cards and PayPal.
