Online shopping has become increasingly popular due to its convenience and the added safety it offers during the coronavirus pandemic. However, the pandemic has also hurt many people economically, and more than ever people are turning to SNAP and EBT cards to buy food. Can you combine online shopping and your EBT through Instacart?
Instacart now accepts EBT in most states with Aldi thanks to a pilot program launched by the federal government that allows people to make online purchases with their EBT card. However, you cannot use your EBT on some items or pay for delivery or other fees.
With health concerns at an all-time high, everyone should have access to food without having to put themselves at risk, and as online shopping surges government programs are learning to adjust to these new trends. If you get assistance through SNAP, here is everything you need to know about shopping with your EBT through Instacart.
Instacart Now Accepts EBT Cards
EBT cards are a payment option accepted in person in most grocery stores now, but its online ability has been virtually nonexistent until this year. Because of the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Agriculture has started a pilot program for online shopping with EBT to meet the changing times.
This program has allowed EBT card use at a wide variety of online stores including Walmart and Amazon. Instacart is one of the places to which the program has expanded EBT use. However, you should be aware that the use of an EBT card with Instacart is still severely limited.
Can You Use EBT with Instacart in All States?
Although the program which has expanded EBT use to Instacart is from the Department of Agriculture, a federal department, it has not quite reached all 50 states. Here is a list of currently participating states according to the Instacart website.
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
As you can see, most of the states have started using the program. However, if you live in the following states it will be longer before you have access to using EBT with Instacart. Some of these states have started the process, so be sure to check frequently for updates with Instacart.
- Alaska
- Maine
- Montana
- Hawaii
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Oregon
- Utah
- Washington
- Wyoming
What Grocery Stores Can You Use Your EBT to Shop with Instacart?
Although Instacart has a myriad of stores to choose from, if you want to be able to use your EBT card, you will likely have only one option: Aldi.
The only other store that is currently accepting EBT through Instacart is Food Lion, but that is still restricted to the following states, while Aldi is accepting in all participating states.
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
This restriction to Aldi will limit your Instacart choices when using EBT. Unfortunately, it is also true that not all Aldi’s are in on the program yet. If you try to use your EBT card to shop through Instacart at your local Aldi, and it will not let you, then the program has not yet reached your store. Chances of this are higher if you live in a rural area.
The reach of the EBT online program is growing, but it will take time. If you are currently not in a participating state or if your local Aldi is not yet included, keep renewing your Instacart app and checking online for updates. The use of EBT for online shopping is still fresh, and effort is being made to expand it rapidly.
Are There Restrictions with EBT Use on Instacart?
If it is available in your area and you decide to use your EBT to shop with Aldi through Instacart, there are some limitations of which you should be aware before you make a purchase.
Firstly, not all items Aldi sells are available to be purchased with EBT. If you buy products that are not approved with SNAP, you will have to pay for them with other means. Luckily, the Instacart app has a feature that allows you to turn on information about EBT eligibility.
If you go to your account settings in the Instacart app and select SNAP EBT info, you will find the option to turn on “show EBT eligibility by items”. With this feature turned on, the letters EBT will appear under eligible items.
The other restriction with EBT use on Instacart has more to do with Instacart itself. Instacart is a delivery service, and as such, there are other fees included in its use that are not directly related to buying food. You will not be able to pay for things like delivery fees and tips using your EBT. Such charges will have to be addressed through different means.
How Do I Use My EBT Card On Instacart?
If you have a participating Aldi or Food Lion in your area then you will want to take advantage of being able to do online shopping with Instacart! The process for using your EBT is thankfully quite simple.
To get started shopping with your EBT you simply need to add your EBT card to your Instacart account. You can do this by going to payment methods under account settings in the app. There should be an option to add an EBT card there.
Be aware that you will not be able to use your EBT card unless you also have a credit or debit card linked to your Instacart account. This is because the EBT card will not cover things like delivery fees.
Alternatives to Instacart That Accept EBT Cards
If you happen to live in one of the 10 states that are not accepting EBT cards on Instacart or if you do not live near a participating Aldi, you feel like you drew the short straw. However, the effort to expand EBT use to online shopping is not restricted to Instacart. Here are some other places you can try for online shopping with your EBT card.
- Walmart
- Amazon
- Kroger
All of these big names have their own pickup or delivery service that does not work through Instacart. They allow the use of EBT cards to pay for their items online and through their apps. Like with Instacart, the items you purchase need to be SNAP-eligible, and you still have to pay additional fees with other means.
There are also some smaller chain stores that serve different regions of the United States that are accepting EBT cards as payments. If you happen to live in an area with one of these stores, you could be in luck.
- ShopRite
- Safeway
- Albertson’s
- Vons
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- H-E-B
- Hy-Vee
Like with Aldi not every single one of these alternative stores may be offering EBT acceptance with their online shopping. You will always need to check for your local store specifically.
Conclusion
Thanks in large part to the changes the pandemic has forced on the nation, Instacart now accepts EBT cards for those shopping with a participating Aldi or Food Lion. It may not seem like much at the moment, but this step speaks towards future expansion which may soon make it possible to shop at many stores on Instacart with an EBT card.
Sources
https://www.instacart.com/help/section/360009947632
https://www.instacart.com/help/section/360009947632/360047747451
https://www.instacart.com/help/section/360009947632/360047290072
