We may earn a commission for purchases through links on our site, Learn more.
If you use an EBT card and enjoy shopping at Target, you might be asking if Target accepts EBT.
Target is a popular spot for various deals. However, not all stores accept EBT. If you’re in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), you can use your benefits at participating retailers to buy eligible items. While not all stores accept EBT, many do.
Target operates over 1,800 stores nationwide. If you frequently shop there and use food stamps, you may wonder if Target accepts SNAP benefits.
In this article, we’ll discuss Target’s policy on SNAP benefits and the eligible purchases you can make at their stores.
What is EBT?
EBT, or Electronic Benefits Transfer, is a component of the government assistance program SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), which aids low-income individuals and families. SNAP issues benefits through an EBT card, a plastic payment card with a security PIN and magnetic strip.
Introduced nationwide in 2004, EBT cards function like regular debit cards, allowing users to purchase eligible food items at authorized retailers. This helps lower the cost of groceries, offering financial relief to those with limited incomes.
Authorized stores, such as Walmart, accept EBT cards for payments. However, it’s essential to note that not all stores participate in the SNAP program. Interestingly, certain fast-food restaurants, including Subway, also accept EBT as a form of payment.
Does Target take EBT?
Target accepts EBT at all its stores. You can use your EBT card to pay for SNAP-eligible items at any Target store.
What can you buy with an EBT card at Target?
At Target, you can use your EBT card to buy specific SNAP-eligible items. These include:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Formula
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products
- Breads and cereals
- Other food items like snacks
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Seeds and plants for household food production
What can’t you buy with an EBT card at Target?
EBT cards at Target have some restrictions on certain purchases. Prohibited items include:
- Alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and related products
- Vitamins, medicines, and supplements
- Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from the water, and pre-slaughtered animals)
- Hot foods
- Non-food items like cleaning supplies, paper products, pet foods, hygiene items, and cosmetics.
Can I use my EBT card at Target mini-stores?
You can use your EBT card at Target mini-stores like Target Express and CityTarget. These stores offer a limited range of products but accept EBT as a payment method for eligible food items.
Does Target accept EBT online?
Target does not accept Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) for online purchases. Your EBT card can only be used to buy items at Target’s physical stores, of which there are over 1,800 locations across the country. Unfortunately, online shopping at Target.com or the Target app is not an option with EBT.
Despite the frustration, you can still order qualifying food items for pickup or delivery through Target’s convenient same-day services, including Drive Up, Order Pickup, and Shipt.
How to use your EBT card at Target
Using your EBT card at Target is simple.
- While at Target, distinguish your EBT eligible items from regular ones during checkout by placing them first.
- Pay with your EBT card as you would with a regular debit card. Swipe the magnetic strip or enter your PIN.
Does Target accept EBT cash for non-food purchases?
Target accepts TANF, RCA, and other cash benefits for eligible in-store non-food items. Currently, EBT cash benefits cannot be used for online or app purchases at Target. Despite this inconvenience, experts anticipate that EBT cash will likely be accepted for online transactions in the near future.
What does Target accept EBT cash for?
Target accepts EBT cash for various purchases, including food, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, household goods, diapers, clothing, and shoes. Almost all items in Target stores are eligible for purchase with EBT cash benefits. However, alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, and other prohibited items cannot be bought using EBT cash benefits.
Does Target accept EBT at self-checkout?
Certainly! Target accepts EBT at self-checkout. Using your EBT card here is convenient, as the system automatically applies discounts to eligible food items as they are scanned. This eliminates the need to separate eligible items during the checkout process.
What is the Target EBT return policy?
Target’s return policy extends for 90 days, allowing customers to return purchased items within this timeframe. If EBT was used for payment, the refund will be credited to the EBT card. It’s important to note that cash refunds are not permitted for transactions made with an EBT card.
Conclusion
Target does accept EBT for SNAP-eligible items, primarily essential food items such as meat, dairy, and infant formula. However, it’s important to note that EBT cards cannot be used for online purchases on Target.com or the Target app. SNAP benefits can only be utilized in-store at Target locations.