Yes, most Walgreens stores accept EBT and food stamps as payment for your purchases.
However, it is important to note that not every location accepts this method, so it is best to call or ask your local store to confirm.
Be aware that only SNAP-approved products can be bought using your EBT card.
How To Check If Your Nearest Walgreens Accepts EBT & Food Stamps?
There are approximately 9,021 Walgreens stores in all 50 states in the U.S. However, not every Walgreens store accepts EBT cards or food stamps as a payment method.
Below are some ways on how you can find the nearest store that accepts EBT:
- Use the Walgreens Store Locator: The website of Walgreens features a store finder tool that allows you to identify where the nearest store is by providing the state, city, or zip code of your location. After providing any of those, you’ll see all the stores in your area.
- Call the store: Unfortunately, Walgreens doesn’t show on its website whether a particular store accepts (or not) EBT or food stamps. But, you may be able to access the contact information and hours of operation. So, use these details to call the store you want to visit and ask whether you can pay using your EBT card.
- Request a list from your local SNAP agency: Your local Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) agency can provide you with a list of all SNAP-approved stores and restaurants in your area.
- Visit the local store: If you can’t access the Walgreens website or search online, you can visit the nearest store in your area and ask the cashier if they accept food stamps as payment or not.
Which Items Can You Buy From Walgreens Using EBT/Food Stamps?
Walgreens does not control what you can buy with your EBT card in their store. However, SNAP implements restrictions on what items you can purchase at a retailer.
That’s why when purchasing at Walgreens, your options may be limited compared to other stores.
As a rule of thumb, you can only spend your food stamps benefits on staple food products prepared at home.
Below is a list of eligible food items you can buy at Walgreens with your EBT card:
- Cooking oils like coconut oil, olive oil, and avocado oil
- Dairy products including milk, yogurt, and cheese
- Filtered water
- Food producing seeds and plants
- Frozen, canned, and fresh foods
- Frozen canned and fresh fruits and vegetables
- Poultry, pork products, and discount meat
- Snacks and non-alcoholic soft drinks
There are many other products that you can buy with your EBT cards, like frozen and freshly-caught seafood like fish, oysters, shrimp, or lobster.
However, Walgreens does not sell them. If you want to get these items, visit a different grocery or market.
Which Items Can’t You Buy From Walgreens Using EBT/Food Stamps?
As mentioned, Walgreens follow SNAP’s rules on EBT cards; that’s why non-essential items or products that are considered luxurious are not included.
So, for example, you can’t use your EBT card to buy prepared hot foods at restaurants or junk foods at the point of sale.
However, some exceptions may apply, such as fast-food restaurants like Burger King.
At Walgreens, you can’t use your EBT card to buy vitamins, supplements, medicine, photo gift cards, makeup, and other services.
Unfortunately, SNAP doesn’t consider these items basic staple food or essential items.
Apart from these, below are other things you can’t buy with your food stamps or SNAP benefits:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Cigarettes or tobacco
- Household supplies
- Pet food
- Soaps and paper products
What Is Walgreens’s Official EBT & Food Stamps Policy?
Walgreens do accept EBT and food stamps as payment, but only in limited locations.
Unfortunately, not all branches take EBT cards, so you need to contact your local drugstore or visit them to know whether they accept them.
SNAP also governs how you can use your EBT card.
That’s why you can only purchase SNAP-eligible food items such as cereals, discount meat, soft beverages, snacks, and other essential food items, other products such as medicines and supplements are not allowed.
Lastly, you can use your EBT card on purchases made at Walgreens’ online store. This is because the store does not participate in the USDA’s EBT pilot program.
The program is created to add EBT as online payment in all states so that SNAP beneficiaries are allowed to purchase online.
However, even if the location accepts EBT or food stamps for in-store purchases, you still can’t use your EBT to order groceries for delivery or pickups at Walgreens.com.
Similar Stores That Accept EBT & Food Stamps
You can use your EBT card in various drugstores and groceries in your state.
However, please note that not all branches of these stores accept food stamps.
Here are similar stores that usually accept EBT.
- ALDI
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Burger King
- Dillons Food Stores
- Dollar General
- Food City
- Harris Teeter
- Kmart
- Kroger
- Payless Supermarkets
- Piggly Wiggly
- Pick ‘n Save
- Safeway
- Sam’s Club
- Target
- Walmart
Are There Any Restrictions On Who Can Use EBT In Walgreens?
Yes, there are restrictions on using EBT cards in Walgreens or any other stores. If you’re not an authorized user of the card, Walgreens won’t allow you to purchase anything.
Generally, every member of a household is allowed to use the food stamps benefits of the family.
So, if you own a card, your spouse, roommate, or older children, can use your EBT to purchase items from Walgreens.
For older people who have caretakers, you can authorize them to use the card, and Walgreens will allow the transaction.
However, Walgreens managers have the right to accept or decline your food stamps, especially if the transaction is unauthorized.
How To Use Your EBT Card Or Food Stamps At Walgreens
Your EBT card works like a debit card. The only difference is you need to input your PIN to authorize the transaction. Here’s how:
- Visit your local Walgreens store and check whether EBT cards or food stamps are accepted.
- Make sure to buy products approved by SNAP, or else you’ll end up spending your own money. Once you’re done shopping, proceed to checkout as you would normally do.
- Then, when asked for payment, swipe your EBT card through the Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal. Enter your four-digit PIN on the keypad. Terminals will not show your password and will only display ****. After you type your PIN, press Enter or OK.
- The cashier will input the total amount of your transaction. Then, press the OK or Yes key if the amount is correct. Keep your receipt if you want to track your purchases.
Tip: If you’ve never used a debit or credit card before and can’t seem to figure out what to do, approach any of the Walgreens clerks for assistance.
Can You Shop Online At Walgreens Using EBT And Food Stamps?
No, your EBT card and food stamps are not accepted as a mode of payment for online orders at Walgreens.
As mentioned, only stores participating in the USDA’s Online Purchasing Pilot Program are allowed to receive food stamps as payments.
As the program expands, more stores and states will be invited to partake.
Conclusion
Walgreens does accept food stamps and EBT as a payment method. But not all branches take SNAP benefits.
You can’t also use your EBT card to order at Walgreens online.
So, if you’re planning to use your benefits at a local store, be sure to check with them to save time and effort.
