Does Kroger accept SNAP EBT cards in 2024

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A lot of people prefer shopping at their nearby Kroger grocery stores. They also use additional services such as check cashing and free tire air available at select locations.

Kroger operates nearly 2,800 stores across 35 states, each under one of 28 different names. You can find a Kroger supermarket in almost any city.

Are you receiving SNAP benefits and wondering if Kroger accepts EBT?

The Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card is a debit card for SNAP participants to buy food with their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Since June 2004, the EBT card has been the exclusive method for governments to distribute SNAP and TANF program benefits. It is used in:

• All 50 states
• The District of Columbia
• Puerto Rico
• The Virgin Islands
• Guam

EBT cards are accepted at places like Target, Walmart, and Amazon. Additionally, numerous gas stations and grocery stores also take EBT.

If you have an EBT card, you can use it like a regular debit card to buy things. However, it only works for certain purchases, and not all stores accept EBT.

Does Kroger take EBT?

Yes, Kroger accepts EBT both in-store and for online orders picked up at the store. Additionally, it offers various payment options, though Apple Pay isn’t accepted.

Continue reading to learn more about using EBT at Kroger, including eligible purchases and how to use it in-store and online.

What can you buy with an EBT card at Kroger?

You can use your EBT card at Kroger, but not everything is eligible for purchase.

EBT cards work like debit cards but are limited to buying SNAP-eligible items from approved stores.

Here’s what you can purchase at Kroger with your EBT card:

• Bread and cereals (like pita bread, rye bread, tortillas, pasta, bagels, and rice)
• Candy
• Chips
• Cold sandwiches
• Cooking oils (olive oil, vegetable oil)
• Dairy products (cheese, milk, almond milk)
• Desserts (ice cream, cookies, or brownies)
• Formula
• Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• Non-alcoholic beverages (soft drinks like Sprite, Pepsi, and energy drinks like Red Bull)
• Other foods like snack items
• Pork products (chops, sausages, bacon, and tenderloin)
• Poultry products (chicken, eggs)
• Red meat (steak, ground beef, ribs)
• Salads
• Seafood (fish, shrimp, shellfish, lobster)
• Seeds and plants for household food
• Snack crackers

What can’t you buy with an EBT card at Kroger?

Some items are not eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. These include:

• Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco.
• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements.
• Live animals, except shellfish, fish taken from the water, and animals already slaughtered before purchase.
• Hot foods.
• Non-food items like cleaning supplies, paper products, pet foods, hygiene items, and cosmetics.

How to use your EBT card at Kroger stores

You can use your SNAP benefits at Kroger stores. Here’s how:

1. Separate your SNAP-eligible items from the rest when you’re at the checkout.
2. Put SNAP-eligible items first at the checkout.
3. At the checkout, use your EBT card like a regular debit card. Swipe the card’s magnetic strip or enter your PIN to pay for your purchase.

How to use your EBT card at Kroger online

Kroger accepts EBT in-store and lets SNAP-recipients use their EBT card for online purchases with in-store pickup. Plus, there’s no charge for pickup on orders over $35!

Here’s how it works:

1. Shop online and choose your items.
2. At checkout, select a convenient pickup time and choose “EBT at Pickup” as your payment method.
3. When you arrive at the store, a Kroger staff member will gather your order and load it into your vehicle. Complete your order by swiping your EBT card on the mobile point-of-sale system during pickup.

Does Kroger take EBT online?

You can order groceries from Kroger online and pay with your EBT card for in-store pickup.

Does Kroger delivery take EBT?

Currently, Kroger doesn’t accept SNAP EBT for payment on delivery orders. To use your SNAP benefits, you must visit a local store or place an online order for store pickup.

Can you use EBT at Kroger self-checkout?

You can use your SNAP EBT card at Kroger’s self-checkout. Just choose EBT as your payment method when you’re checking out.

Does Kroger bakery accept EBT?

EBT cards allow you to buy eligible food items, including baked goods. However, you can’t use EBT to buy hot foods at the time of purchase.

Does Kroger take EBT on Instacart?

As previously mentioned, Kroger accepts EBT for online orders picked up in-store. However, if you prefer home delivery, you might wonder if Instacart allows EBT usage.

Instacart allows eligible SNAP customers in the U.S. to use their EBT card to pay for groceries online. This service is available at certain stores in specific states.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a pilot program called the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot. It lets SNAP recipients in certain states use their EBT card to buy groceries online from specific retailers.

Currently, the states taking part in this pilot program are:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Instacart now lets SNAP-eligible customers in certain US states pay for groceries online using their EBT card. However, this service is only available in select stores in those states.

Unfortunately, Kroger is not currently participating. You’ll need to consider other stores if you want to use your EBT card for online grocery shopping.

Here are the stores where you can use your EBT card with Instacart:

• ALDI
• Food Lion
• Save Mart
• FoodMaxx
• Lucky Supermarkets
• Price Chopper
• Market 32
• Market Bistro

Customers with valid EBT cards can use their SNAP benefits on Instacart at certain stores in all states except Alaska, Louisiana, and Montana. However, Kroger is not among the participating retailers.

The bottom line

If you receive SNAP benefits and shop at Kroger stores, you can use your EBT card to pay for your purchases. This is applicable both in-store and when you place an online order for pickup at the store.

However, it is important to note that EBT cannot be used to pay for delivery orders at this time. It is hoped that Kroger will expand its EBT payment options to include delivery orders in the future. Until then, to use your SNAP benefits, you will need to visit your local Kroger store or place an order online for pickup at the store.