Guide to Using Your EBT Card At Kroger (With State List)

If you are a regular shopper at Kroger, you may be wondering whether your favorite Kroger store accepts EBT cards as a form of payment.

In this post, you will learn more about Kroger’s EBT policy to help you decide if you should use it as a payment method.

Does Kroger Accept EBT?

Kroger accepts EBT cards in all its locations – allowing customers to pay for their groceries. Only USDA-Approved food items are eligible for purchase using EBT cards at Kroger stores. 

Customers can use their EBT cards as a credit or debit card when retrieving orders from Kroger stores and for delivery. You will get free delivery for any order above $35.

Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is a system for issuing SNAP benefits using debit card technology. The EBT system is an efficient and secure way for a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participant to buy food.

If you are eligible for SNAP, you can shop anywhere that accepts EBT and pay for your groceries with the card. When the payment is complete, your SNAP EBT account gets debited with the transaction amount. EBT is available in all the 50 U.S states, the District of Colombia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

The Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) program is part of the U.S. government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. P-EBT provides meal benefits – (similar to SNAP benefits) – to children when schools are closed or if school hours or attendance reduces because of COVID-related closures.

The program ensures that the children enjoy free or subsidized meals, whether in school or not. Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) created this program.

On November 4, 2020, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published the P-EBT Integrity Final Rule. The rule requires the FNS to treat P-EBT benefits the same as SNAP benefits to identify and sanction program violators.

Kroger accepts EBT SNAP cards at all of its stores. You can purchase food and grocery items at any Kroger store as long as they are USDA approved. Here is a list of states where Kroger accepts EBT payments.

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• 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

Terms and conditions 

• You do not need to meet the minimum order amount at Kroger.
• There are no additional fees for using EBT at Kroger
• EBT cards are not credit cards. You can only spend the money you have in your EBT account
• It is against the law to sell, trade, or give your EBT card to anyone else to use
• You cannot use your EBT card to get cash back when making a purchase with your food benefits at a store

Benefits of Using EBT at Kroger

• EBT allows you to shop online in advance and choose your preferred time for pickup
• There is no pickup fee on all purchases
• You enjoy free pickup for any orders amounting to $35 and above (after pretax and discounts)
• Kroger does not impose a minimum purchase amount for you to use your EBT card
• Using EBT at Kroger allows everyone to access healthy and nutritious foods

How to Use Your EBT Card at Kroger

Kroger offers different ways to shop on its online platform or physical locations. Whether you opt for a self-checkout, online pickup, or an Instacart delivery, you can use your EBT card to pay for your goods. To use your EBT card, follow these steps

On Self-Checkout

• Go to any Kroger store and pick your groceries
• Take your items to a self-checkout stand or register
• Press “start” on the checkout machine to scan your items
• Select “EBT” as a payment method on the PIN pad of the checkout stand
• Insert your EBT card into the PIN pad’s slot
• Select “Food Stamp” or “Cash Benefit” depending on what you want to use from the card’s funds
• Enter your four-digit EBT card PIN
• Wait for the display screen to show “Accept”

On Pickup of Online Orders (Formerly Kroger Clicklist)

Follow these steps to set up or add EBT to your Kroger app to pick up online orders.

• Log in to your account on Kroger.com or your Kroger app
• Select your preferred store location. You need to enter your zip code to get the nearest pickup store close to you
• Select and add items to your cart
• Choose your preferred pickup date and time. You can either choose same day pickup or next-day pickup
• Select SNAP/EBT as the payment method (Note: You need to present your EBT card when picking your order)
• Enter your phone number
• Confirm your order and click on “submit”

A store assistant will pick your items as per your order. When you arrive at the pickup location, notify the store (call the number on the sign next to your parking spot). The assistant will bring out your order and load it into your car. Swipe your EBT card to pay for all eligible items. You can pay for any ineligible items using your debit or credit card

On Instacart Delivery

Here is how to set up EBT payment on your Kroger app for Instacart delivery

• Log in to your account on Kroger.com or your Kroger app
• Choose “Delivery” as your way to shop and click on “Start shopping”
• Select items and add them to your cart
• Select your address, city, and postal code where your order will be delivered
• Click on “Checkout delivery”
• Select your preferred delivery time
• Confirm your order and address
• Confirm your delivery is through Instacart
• Provide your phone number
• On the “paying with” tab, click on “Add a new card.”
• Enter your names and the EBT card’s details as required and click on “Add”
• Click on save

What Can You Buy With EBT At Kroger?

You can purchase most foods with your EBT card at Kroger, provided they are FSDA approved. You can buy foods such as:

• Dairy products (milk, cheese, and yogurt)
• Bread and cereals
• Snack foods (cookies, chips, energy bars)
• Produce (fruits and vegetables)
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Plants and seeds to grow food

What Items are Not Eligible with EBT at Kroger?

The following items are not eligible for purchase with EBT:

• Beer, wine, liquor
• Tobacco products
• Vitamins and medicines
• Hot foods and foods intended for immediate consumption
• Live animals (except shellfish and fish removed from water)
• Non-food items such as pet food,
• Personal hygiene items such as deodorants, toothpaste, shampoo, and cosmetics
• Household and cleaning supplies
• Paper products

Can You Use Kroger Coupons with EBT?

You can use Kroger’s digital coupons with EBT. However, you may need to separate your orders if your purchases include items not covered by EBT.

According to Kroger’s coupon policy, you can use digital coupons for payment before any other coupons or discounts. However, you cannot combine digital coupons with other offers, such as paper or printed coupons. Once a cashier scans your digital coupon at checkout, they cannot remove it or cancel the transaction.

How to Apply for an EBT Card

To apply for an EBT card and SNAP benefits, contact your area SNAP office. You can find your local offices on the USDA national map. Alternatively, all local offices are listed in each state directory or through your state’s government website.

Eligibility requirements vary by state, but most states issue the cards to people with low incomes. Some states will accept applications from anyone who has an income below a certain threshold. Others might also look at factors like whether or not the applicant has children and the applicant’s current expenses.

To apply, you need to provide the following information:

• A valid social security number
• Date of birth
• Home address
• Proof of gross income (before taxes)
• Your expenses
• Proof of citizenship and identity

Depending on your state, you can apply for your EBT card using any of these methods.

• In-person
• Online
• By mail
• By fax
• By phone

FAQs

Does Kroger Take EBT for Grocery Pickup?

If you’re a SNAP user, you can use your EBT card for Kroger online grocery pickup. When ordering, you can schedule your pickup time and then drive up to the store, where Kroger will load your order into your vehicle. Plus, you get free pick up on all orders $35 or more after pretax and discounts.

Can You Enter Your EBT Card Manually At Kroger?

You can enter your EBT card manually by following a very easy process. When you manually enter your EBT card number, you will need to provide the following information:

• Your 16-digit EBT card number
• The expiration date on the front side of your EBT card
• The 3-digit security code on the back of your EBT card (CVV)

Then, key in your personal identification number (PIN) to complete the transaction.

Can you use a P-EBT Card at Kroger Self-Checkout?

Yes, you can use the P-EBT card for your grocery pickup at Kroger. To shop online with your P-EBT card, visit Kroger.com and select P-EBT as your payment method at checkout.

Conclusion

Kroger makes an effort to accommodate all its customers regardless of their background or purchasing power. If you are a Kroger customer with an EBT card, you can use it to buy the items you need at your nearest Kroger store.

With your EBT card, you can shop online at Kroger and pick up your order at your preferred time at no extra cost. Plus, there is no delivery fee for orders costing $35 and above.

Kroger accepts SNAP EBT cards for groceries and other food items, but not alcohol, household supplies, or other non-food stuff.