Want to buy groceries from Walmart online but have Food Stamps (also known as SNAP benefits)? You’re in the right place! It’s super easy once you know the steps. This guide will walk you through everything, from setting up your account to making sure your eligible items are in your cart. We’ll cover the key things you need to know so you can shop online with your EBT card and get your food delivered (or picked up!) without any problems. Let’s dive in!
Is It Possible to Use Food Stamps at Walmart Online?
Absolutely! Yes, you can definitely use your EBT card to pay for eligible groceries when you shop online at Walmart. Walmart has made it easy for customers using SNAP to buy groceries online, which can be super convenient, especially if you can’t get to the store easily or just prefer to shop from home. This helps make healthy food accessible to everyone.
Creating a Walmart Account and Linking Your EBT Card
Before you can start shopping, you’ll need a Walmart account. If you don’t have one, go to Walmart’s website or use the Walmart app and click on the “Sign In” button. From there, you can create an account by entering your email address and creating a password. Make sure you use an email address you actually check, because Walmart will send you order confirmations and other important updates. You’ll also need to add your address and phone number so they can deliver or have your order ready for pickup.
After creating or signing in to your Walmart account, the next step is to link your EBT card. You’ll typically find an option to add or manage payment methods in your account settings. There are usually a few steps you have to follow. Make sure you have your EBT card handy, because you’ll need the card number, and sometimes the expiration date, which you should treat like a debit card. Be careful when you’re entering the information to ensure it matches your EBT card.
Here’s what you might need to do when adding your card:
- Find the “Payment Methods” section in your account.
- Click “Add Payment Method”.
- Select “EBT Card” or “SNAP”.
- Enter the card number, expiration date, and any other required info.
Once your EBT card is linked, you can select it as your payment method when you check out. This will allow you to use your SNAP benefits for eligible food purchases. Some websites may require additional steps, but usually it’s as simple as selecting “EBT” from the payment options.
Finding Eligible SNAP Items
Not everything at Walmart can be bought with your EBT card. SNAP benefits only cover certain food items. When you’re shopping online, it’s important to make sure the items you want are SNAP-eligible. Fortunately, Walmart makes it easier to find these items. You can search for specific foods, and often, Walmart will indicate if an item is eligible for SNAP.
Walmart often highlights SNAP-eligible items in a few ways. You may see a special tag or a checkmark near the item’s picture that says “SNAP Eligible”. Look for this when you are browsing products, as it is the easiest way to determine if something is approved. You can also filter your search results to only show SNAP-eligible items. This is super useful so you don’t have to browse through a bunch of things that you can’t actually buy with your EBT card.
Here’s a list of typical SNAP-eligible food items:
- Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products
- Breads and cereals
- Snack foods (chips, cookies, etc.)
- Non-alcoholic beverages (soda, juice, water, etc.)
Non-food items like pet food, household supplies, and alcohol are usually *not* eligible. Always double-check before adding things to your cart.
Ordering and Checkout: Separating Payment Methods
Alright, you’ve picked out your food, and you’re ready to buy it. When you go to checkout, Walmart will often give you the option to split your payment between your EBT card and another payment method, like a credit or debit card. This is important because SNAP benefits don’t cover everything, such as non-food items or items that cost more than what you have on your EBT card. So you may need to use another form of payment for those things.
During checkout, you will be able to select your EBT card as a payment option. The website or app will then show you how much money you have available on your EBT card and how much you owe. You can apply your EBT card to the eligible items, and then the remaining amount (if any) to a debit card or credit card.
Here’s a common example of what you may need to do during checkout:
- Choose your delivery or pickup time and location.
- Review your order to make sure everything is correct.
- Select “EBT” or “SNAP” as your payment method.
- Enter your EBT card information.
- The website will show how much of your order is covered by SNAP and how much (if anything) you need to pay with another card.
- Enter your payment information for the non-SNAP items and complete your order.
Carefully review the payment breakdown before you submit your order to ensure that everything is correct. Remember, you can typically only use your EBT card for eligible food purchases, so you must use a different payment option for other items.
Delivery or Pickup Options
Walmart offers both delivery and pickup options, which makes getting your groceries super easy! With delivery, your groceries are brought straight to your door, which is great if you have a hard time getting out or just want to save time. Pickup lets you place your order online and then pick it up at a Walmart store. With pickup, you can choose the time you want to pick up your order, which is convenient. These options can make grocery shopping with SNAP benefits much easier.
If you choose delivery, there will often be a delivery fee, but it can save you time and energy. When you check out, you can choose a delivery time that works for you. Make sure you are available during the delivery window, and follow any instructions the driver gives you. Note that delivery times can vary based on your location and the time of day.
Pickup is another great option. Here’s what it typically looks like:
- Place your order online.
- Choose a pickup time and location.
- Wait for a notification that your order is ready.
- Go to the designated pickup area at Walmart.
- Provide your order number and ID.
- An employee will bring your groceries to your car.
Both delivery and pickup are convenient ways to get your groceries. Choose the option that works best for you and your situation.
Dealing With Issues and Returns
Even with careful planning, sometimes there can be issues with your order. Maybe an item is out of stock, or the delivery is delayed. Don’t worry, Walmart has ways to help! They provide ways to contact them if you have a problem with your order, such as a missing item. If an item is missing, you can typically get a refund for that item.
If you need to return something, the process is usually pretty similar to returning items purchased in the store. Make sure you keep your receipt or order confirmation, and head to the customer service desk at your local Walmart. They’ll help you get the return process started, and you’ll be able to get your money back. The return process will vary depending on whether you used your EBT card. The money might go back onto your EBT card, or it may be returned as cash.
Here is a table to summarize the key things to remember:
| Issue | What To Do |
|---|---|
| Missing Item | Contact Walmart customer service for a refund. |
| Damaged Item | Return the item to the store or contact customer service. |
| Payment Problems | Make sure your EBT card is linked correctly and has sufficient funds. Contact customer service if the payment fails. |
It’s important to always keep your receipt or order information in case you run into any problems. The most important thing is to contact Walmart’s customer service as soon as you notice an issue. They are there to help make sure you have a good experience.
Tips for a Smooth Shopping Experience
To make your online Walmart shopping experience even better, here are a few tips. First, always double-check the prices and the items in your cart before you check out, and pay attention to special offers. Walmart will often have deals, so make sure you are not missing them. Sometimes, there will also be coupons. Finally, if you are ordering fresh foods, pay attention to their use-by dates. Make sure you’ll be able to use them before they go bad.
Plan your shopping list ahead of time so you can be more organized. Walmart’s website and app let you create shopping lists, which makes it easy to find everything you need. Make a note of any items you want to purchase ahead of time, and add them to your list. That way, you won’t forget anything, and your shopping will go more quickly.
Here are some other tips:
- Check for SNAP-eligible items.
- Use Walmart’s search filters.
- Review your order before you check out.
- Be aware of delivery and pickup times.
- Keep your receipt for returns or issues.
By following these tips, you can make the most of your online Walmart shopping experience with your EBT card.
Keeping Track of Your SNAP Balance
Keeping track of how much money you have left on your EBT card is important. You don’t want to get to the checkout and find out you don’t have enough money! Fortunately, there are several ways to check your balance. You can check your balance online, call a number, or check the balance on a recent receipt. This way, you’ll always know how much you have left to spend.
Many states have websites or apps where you can check your EBT balance. You’ll need your EBT card number and PIN to access the information. It may also be printed on a receipt after you make a purchase. You can also often call the customer service number on the back of your EBT card to get your balance.
Here’s a quick summary of how to check your EBT balance:
- Check online at your state’s EBT website.
- Call the customer service number on the back of your EBT card.
- Look for the balance on a recent receipt from Walmart or another store.
Make sure you have your EBT card number and PIN handy when you need to check your balance. It’s important to check your balance regularly to make sure you don’t run out of money before the end of the month, which will help you to budget your SNAP benefits efficiently.
| Where to check | What you need |
|---|---|
| Online | EBT card number, PIN, access to the internet |
| Phone | EBT card, phone number |
| Receipt | EBT card |
Conclusion
Shopping at Walmart online with your EBT card is super convenient. By following these steps and tips, you can easily buy your groceries online and have them delivered or ready for pickup. Remember to check which items are eligible, and always keep track of your EBT balance. Happy shopping, and enjoy the convenience of getting your food online!