Finally, Amazon is participating in a two-year government pilot program that allows some shoppers to pay for their online grocery orders with food stamps! This limited program has some caveats, but we have all the details.
Of course, Amazon has always been a great resource for low income families. I love that they offer discounted Prime memberships for low income families with Medicaid or food stamps!
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The downside? The limited pilot program only works in certain areas. To start with, Amazon will only be able to accept New York EBT cards from customers in certain zip codes. Visit Amazon.com/SNAP to see if you’re eligible!
However, the pilot will soon expand to other areas of New York and other select states, including Alabama, Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington. It is not clear if the program will be expanded to other states during the two year pilot period.
If you are eligible for this program, eligible grocery items will be marked as “SNAP EBT eligible.” Only products that are shipped and sold by Amazon are eligible, so sometimes items will be deemed ineligible simply because they are sold by other retailers. You cannot use SNAP to pay for “subscribe and save” subscription items, either.
Although you don’t need an Amazon Prime subscription to place your order, you cannot use food stamps funds to pay for any service or delivery charges. Fortunately, you can click here to get a discounted Amazon Prime membership if you have EBT or Medicaid!
Walmart, ShopRite and other providers will also be able to accept EBT cards for online orders in participating states.
I saw today that Amazon is giving EBT users a 45% discount on Amazon Prime!
Hi, Heather! That is very true! You can get all sorts of discounts with your EBT card. You can even get free museum admission! Click here for details. 🙂
The company is announcing on Friday that the Amazon Prime monthly fee is increasing from $10.99 to $12.99 in the U.S., an increase of 18 percent. The new price works out to nearly $156 a year.Jan 19, 2018
FYI
Yep been like that a year at least its awesome. 5.99 a month I pay
Sondra,
It’s such a helpful program! Thanks for sharing!
-Riley
schwans as well
Safeway in WA state does not accept EBT for food delivery. Why and how come
That’s frustrating. I was told that they do accept it for delivery to disabled customers. I will contact them again to clarify.
Does Wal-Mart and Safeway in WA accept EBT for online grocery shopping now?
I’m honestly not sure, Meranda! I’ll follow-up on that. I know some of these companies had issues rolling out their online EBT systems. I’ll do some investigating and publish an update. 🙂
When will Amazon take EBT cards in Nevada for food delivery?
Hi, Maryam! I don’t think so. There seems to have been some issues with the pilot program and I’m not sure what the current status is. :\
Hi was told by Amazon roughly a year ago that they do not accept ebt, even though every website said they did. Were u able to verify that they indeed do accept it now? And if so how do I apply my ebt card as payment? Thank you!
Hey, Leneka! I am still awaiting a response from Amazon’s press department. In the meantime, they are not currently accepting EBT cards for online purchases. I’m so sorry!
Thank you so much for all the info. I have signed up for Amazon Prime with our EBT card but I don’t know how to use our EBT card for purchases for food. I’m unable to put anything in my profile. Help. Thanks again for all the info
Kanoe,
As far as I know, at this time you cannot use EBT to purchase food on Amazon. Amazon has said that they are working on this, but it is not available yet. Thanks.
-Riley
thank you for the info @Riley
Kanoe,
You are welcome!
-Riley
its because snap/ebt will be suspended indefinitely come March.
Thanks for the veil of hope though
lastdragon,
We have not seen an official statement about what will happen with food stamps in March yet.
-Riley
I received a letter from DHR in the state of Maryland. All SNAP customers will receive March’s funds on March 6th. I hope this helps.
Cheryl,
Yep! We have a state by state guide for March Food Stamp Benefits here. I hope this helps.
-Riley
i was wondering how long does the discount for amazon for people who has ebt and medicade? because i just found out that theres a discount when you only pay $5.99 instead of $12.99 a month
Antoinette,
As far as we know, you can continue receiving the discount as long as you are on EBT and/or Medicaid.
-Riley
Hi Riley
I was reading the comments and some people are soooooo confused on using their SNAP cards at fast food places. There are 2 sides of your SNAP card (sometimes). Food stamp and cash benefit. (I don’t recieve any cash benefits). The cash benefit is what fast food companies accept, not the food stamp benefits. Remember you can’t purchase hot food with SNAP ;0) unless you receive cash benefits.
Deb,
Thanks for the tip!
-Riley
This (you) are such an amazing resource! I am so glad I found your “site” !!!! Thank you for doing the time consuming, and tiresome research so we can all benefit from it. You are very appreciated.. at least, to me! :0)
Lisa,
Thank you for the kind words! We appreciate you and all of our readers!
-Riley
When will AMAZON allow EBT orders online in Washington state.
Julie,
All we know is that eventually the program will expand from New York to a few other states, including Washington. It was unclear whether the expansion would happen within the 2 year pilot of the program or if it will happen later. Thanks for reaching out.
-Riley
I just spent quite some time in a live chat session with an Amazon associate who insisted that I qualify for free Prime Pantry since I already have an EBT discounted Prime subscription. Which I do. I kept making sure she understood the distinction between just Prime, and Prime Pantry, because as I understand it, they are separate subscriptions. She still assured me that I could have a free subscription to Prime Pantry, as long as I already have the Amazon Prime membership that is discounted through my EBT benefits. I’ve been trying all day with no success. Can someone Please, Please, Please tell me something??? Was she lying to me or what??? I realize it may be a slightly complicated question if you’re not paying attention, but I wish she would just check and answer me honesty, instead of just lying to get rid of me. Can anyone please help?
Michele,
Hmmmm… I’m not sure. It would probably be best to talk to Amazon directly. Maybe ask to talk to a supervisor?
-Riley
when will Amazon take EBT in Virginia
Tonya,
We haven’t heard yet either!
-Riley
Hi, I googled about SNAP & Amazon and your site popped up. I’m a bit confused..
I’m older, mainly bedridden because of a genetic disorder causing severe osteoporosis, kidney failure, glaucoma, and other issues. I’m on Disability, Medicaid and SNAP. I live in a very tiny town in the Northern Poconos where the only grocery store who delivers has an extremely limited selection-basically, a small local mom & pop store. We do have a WalMart & Weis, but they’re a $30 taxi ride because they don’t deliver SNAP purchases, pick-up only.
In the past month or so, every food item on Amazon I look at has “EBT NOW ACCEPTED” in red. When I go to check out, it always comes up as an option. But when I looked into it on Amazon, it says it’s only available in New York, which is less than 20 miles from here, but it says you need a New York Issued Card. I called them, and the very nice Indian girl I spoke with was also confused because she said it shouldn’t be highlighted like that unless I’m Eligible and her supervisor said the same thing. They told me to try it, but I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize my account. 2 years ago they had some kind of a glitch and my account was flagged, then banned, because they thought I was a “seller”, illegally using an EBT card to get my discounted Prime rate. It took me over 3 months to straighten it out and prove to them I’m NOT “selling” anything; just a disabled older lady who has no other way to purchase certain items and depend on Amazon. 🙄 Then again, that experience introduced me to Chewy and I just wish I could get EVERYTHING from Chewy; they are, by far, the BEST online shopping experience I’ve EVER had! My furry companion agrees!
Any ideas of where/how I can get a real answer?
Elaine,
Unfortunately, the program is currently only in select areas. (Mainly New York). We are all anxiously awaiting for Amazon to expand this program. But for now, you may not qualify because you are not in the right area.
-Riley
At Walmart, you can now order groceries for pick up in-store and select EBT as a payment option. While I was in the store the other night they had a card table by entrance W flyers announcing this and giving 10 off your first order I believe. I will try to find the promo and repost it. I used to do this already but
would select the cash payment in store option and just slide my EBT card instead of debit or credit card. Doesn’t work for a drive up, sorry guys. Also, I was JW if Target would let you do the same since they accept EBT too? They do offer a GC exchange for a Target GC and trade in old devices service for GC, not sure about cash. Hope this helps. Also to Elaine, since you have Glaucoma and are disabled I would google assistance for elderly, disabled with Glaucoma, or services for. Or check out auntbertha.com or .org, I forget and would try posting a comment on Nextdoor.com or download the app if that’s easier, and I also have an app that helps ppl help those who can’t see for different reasons with multiple things. I will check the app name and put it in the following post. This is the main reason that we as human beings need to help our fellow neighbors, strangers, those who truly just need a boost for things and ways to be self-sufficient. The TX Hurricane Havey post and research Nicole did change my entire families life after losing everything and not knowing where to even begin on putting things back together but with Nicole and her crew, we were able to get clear instructions, links, and even names and numbers to my Husbands school for who to contact regarding his welding gear, school books, etc. I FWD that post to everyone I knew and Now they religiously view Nicole’s page. From the bottom of my heart Thank You and if you ever need anything I am just an email away. I have been trying to go get THHS to add you in their brochure but legal mambo jumbo is holding it in stand still. I will figure a way to get the word out because we all need this info. Sincerely yours, The Ketchers. P.s. Do you have any info on school supply help in 77702?
Sarah,
Thank you so much for the tips and all the kind words and support! We really appreciate your loyalty! Here is the link to our free school supplies page. I hope this helps! Thanks again!!!
-Riley
Hyvee in Overland Park Kansas, said they do not yet accept EBT orders online. Customer Seevice said I should check back in 2020.
Lis,
Thanks for letting us know. We also are anxiously awaiting for this program to expand. Fingers crossed it happens soon!
-Riley