Does Costco Take EBT? (Yes, But Read This Before You Go!)

What Is an EBT Card?

Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is the system that delivers SNAP food benefits on a plastic card that works like a debit card.

When you buy groceries, the cost of your eligible items is taken out of your SNAP balance.

EBT is used in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.

Most people use their EBT card for SNAP, but some also get cash benefits through programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). SNAP benefits can only be used for food.

TANF cash can often be withdrawn at ATMs and spent like normal cash.

What You Can Buy With EBT at Costco in 2026

Costco sells everything from TVs to giant packs of paper towels, but your EBT card can only be used for SNAP‑eligible food items.

The rules for that come from the USDA and are the same at Costco as they are at any other grocery store.

Items You Can Purchase With EBT:

You can use EBT at Costco to buy:

• Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• Cooking oils, like olive oil and vegetable oil
• Poultry products like chicken and eggs
• Red meat, like steak, ribs, and ground beef
• Dairy products, like cheese, milk, and some milk alternatives
• Seafood, such as fish, shrimp, shellfish, and lobster
• Pork products, like chops, sausages, bacon, and tenderloin
• Breads and cereals (pita, tortillas, pasta, bagels, rice, etc.)
• Desserts like ice cream, cookies, or brownies (as long as they’re not hot prepared items)
• Cold sandwiches and salads that are meant to be taken home and eaten cold
• Chips and snack crackers
• Seeds and plants that produce food for your household to eat

These categories follow the normal SNAP rules.

If you can buy it with EBT at a regular grocery store, you can usually buy the same kind of item at Costco too.

2026 MAHA Restrictions

Starting in 2026, 18 states have USDA‑approved waivers under the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative that tighten what you can buy with SNAP.

These waivers target “unhealthy” items, especially sugary drinks and similar products.

The following states now have MAHA food‑restriction waivers:

• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Louisiana
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• West Virginia

Each state’s waiver is a little different, but in general they limit or ban buying certain sugary drinks and other “junk” items with SNAP.

Some states focus mainly on sugar‑sweetened beverages; others go a bit further.

These changes start rolling out on January 1, 2026 in some states, with others following later in the year.

If you live in one of these states, you may not be able to use your EBT card to buy certain drinks or other restricted items at Costco.

For the most up‑to‑date details in your state, check your state SNAP website or contact your local SNAP office, because the exact list of banned items is set at the state level and can change over time.

To keep it simple: if your state bans a certain item under MAHA, you can’t buy that item with EBT at Costco either, even if it’s sitting on the shelf.

Items You CANNOT Purchase With EBT:

You cannot use your EBT card at Costco for:

• Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements (if the label says “Supplement Facts” instead of “Nutrition Facts,” it’s not EBT‑eligible)
• Hot foods (foods that are hot at the time you buy them)
• Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered before pickup)
• Non‑food items like:
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Paper products
  • Pet foods
  • Hygiene items and cosmetics

Quick tip: Look at the label. If it has “Nutrition Facts,” it’s usually food and may be eligible. If it has “Supplement Facts,” it’s treated as a supplement and isn’t covered by SNAP.

Can You Use EBT at Costco Online or Through Delivery?

This is where things get a little confusing.

You can use EBT in person at Costco warehouses, but regular Costco.com orders still don’t accept EBT for payment.

However, many SNAP users now have more options for online groceries and delivery through partners like Instacart and some store‑specific programs.

In a lot of areas, you can:

• Add your EBT card as a payment method in Instacart or the Costco same‑day delivery portal.
• Select Costco as your store and shop for EBT‑eligible groceries.
• Pay for the eligible food items with your EBT card at checkout.

Important things to know:

• You’ll need a second payment method (credit card, debit card, or PayPal) for delivery fees, service fees, tips, and any non‑eligible items.
• EBT only covers the cost of qualifying food items, not fees or tips.
• Prices through delivery apps are usually higher than in‑warehouse prices.
• Not every Costco in every state supports EBT through delivery yet, so you’ll want to check your app or local options.

Can You Use EBT at the Costco Food Court? (2026 Update)

For most people, the answer is still no.

SNAP benefits are meant for groceries you take home and prepare yourself, not hot meals eaten on the spot.

The Costco food court mostly serves hot, prepared foods like pizzas, hot dogs, and chicken bakes. These are not SNAP‑eligible items, so you can’t pay for them with your EBT card at most locations.

The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) Exception

There is one special case called the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP). This program lets certain SNAP recipients buy hot foods at approved restaurants.

Who might qualify for RMP:

• People age 60 or older
• People with disabilities
• Homeless individuals
• In some states, spouses of eligible people

Some states offer RMP, but that doesn’t mean every restaurant is included.

States with active RMP programs as of 2026:

• Arizona
• California
• Illinois
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• New York
• Rhode Island
• Virginia
• Oregon (pilot program)

Even if you live in an RMP state and qualify, your Costco food court still has to be on the approved list. You’d need to check your state’s RMP restaurant list to see if your local Costco food court participates.

2026 Food Court Membership Requirement

In 2025 and 2026, Costco started tightening up food court access.

Many locations now require you to show or scan your membership card before you can order at the food court, including at self‑serve kiosks.

This means:

• You generally need an active Costco membership to buy food at the food court, even if it’s outside the main warehouse entrance.
• This applies to everyone, including anyone using SNAP or an RMP‑eligible EBT card.

Using TANF Cash Benefits at the Food Court

If you receive TANF cash benefits on your EBT card, you can usually withdraw that money at an ATM and then use the cash to buy anything at the Costco food court, as long as your location requires (and you have) a membership to order.

What About Costco’s Rotisserie Chicken?

No, you cannot buy Costco’s famous hot rotisserie chicken with SNAP EBT because it’s a hot, prepared food at the time of sale.

If your warehouse sells cold, packaged rotisserie chicken meat in the refrigerated section, that would be EBT‑eligible because it’s no longer hot and is treated as a grocery item.

Using EBT at Costco: How It Works

Can You Use EBT at Self‑Checkout?

Yes! You can use your EBT card at self-checkout counters at most Costco stores, just like you would at a regular lane.

Scan your items, choose EBT as your payment method, swipe your card, and enter your PIN.

If you’re not sure whether your local warehouse supports EBT at self‑checkout, you can always ask a staff member before you start scanning.

How Split Payments Work

If you’re buying a mix of EBT‑eligible and non‑eligible items, here’s what usually happens:

1. The cashier (or you at self‑checkout) scans all your items.
2. You pay with your EBT card first.
3. The system applies your EBT balance to the eligible food items.
4. You then pay for any remaining non‑eligible items with another payment method (cash, credit, debit, or Costco Shop Card).

Some stores may ask you to separate your EBT groceries from non‑food items into two transactions.

If you’re not sure, just tell the cashier you’re paying with EBT and they’ll guide you.

Can You Pay for a Costco Membership With EBT?

No. You can’t use EBT funds to pay for a Costco membership. SNAP money is only for eligible food and drinks.

As of 2026, Costco membership prices are:

• Gold Star Membership: $65 per year
• Executive Membership: $130 per year (includes 2% cash back on many eligible purchases, which can help offset the membership cost)

Shopping Without a Membership: The Shop Card Workaround

Here’s a little‑known tip: you can shop at Costco without your own membership if you use a Costco Shop Card (their version of a gift card).

Here’s how that usually works:

1. Have someone with a Costco membership buy a Shop Card for you.
2. Use that Shop Card to enter the warehouse.
3. Shop for your groceries.
4. At checkout, use the Shop Card for part of your payment.
5. Then use your EBT card to pay for your eligible food items.

Important note: you generally need to use the Shop Card for at least a small part of the purchase to get in and check out this way. You can’t usually pay 100% with EBT when you’re entering solely with a Shop Card. So keep that in mind!

Costco Business Center and EBT

Costco Business Centers are special locations focused more on restaurant, office, and business supplies.

The good news is that they usually accept EBT in person for SNAP‑eligible food items, just like regular warehouses.

However, EBT typically does not work for Business Center online delivery orders. To use EBT there, you’ll need to shop in person.

Does Costco Accept WIC?

No, Costco does not participate in the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program.

WIC has its own list of approved stores and products, and Costco usually isn’t on that list.

If you receive WIC benefits, you’ll need to shop at WIC‑authorized retailers, which you can find through your state’s WIC agency website or office.

Shopping Tips for EBT Users at Costco

Is a Costco Membership Worth It for SNAP Recipients?

Whether a membership makes sense with SNAP depends on how much you’ll shop there.

Think about:

• A $65 Gold Star membership is about $5.42 per month if you spread it over a year.
• If you save more than $5–$6 a month by buying staples in bulk, the membership can pay for itself.
• Best things to buy with EBT at Costco: rice, pasta, cooking oil, frozen vegetables, canned goods, eggs, milk, bread, cheese, and bulk meat.
• Make sure you have enough storage space so food doesn’t spoil before you use it.

Best EBT Purchases at Costco

Some items tend to be much better deals at Costco than at regular grocery stores:

• Olive oil (big savings compared to regular‑size bottles)
• Rice and pasta (perfect for bulk buying)
• Frozen vegetables and fruits (long shelf life and great value)
• Eggs (often cheaper in bulk)
• Cheese (large blocks and shredded bags at good prices)
• Cold chicken products (like frozen cooked chicken or refrigerated pulled chicken)
• Canned goods like beans, tomatoes, and tuna
• Peanut butter and other pantry staples
• Coffee (especially ground coffee in large containers)

Planning Your Shopping Trip

• Make a list before you go so you don’t overspend just because you see big bulk deals.
• Check your EBT balance ahead of time (online, in an app, or by calling the number on the back of your card).
• Consider splitting big packs with family or friends if you don’t have much storage.
• Pay attention to use‑by and expiration dates, especially on dairy and meat.
• If your state is part of MAHA, double‑check which items are restricted before you shop.

Other Places That Accept EBT Online

Costco is great for bulk groceries, but it’s not the only option if you want to use EBT online.

There are other grocery stores that let you pay with EBT for delivery or pickup orders in at least some states.

A few examples include:

• Amazon (through Amazon Fresh and some Whole Foods locations)
• Walmart
• ALDI (often through Instacart in select states)
• Food Lion (in some areas through Instacart)
• Kroger and affiliated stores
• Target (select states)

Each retailer has its own setup and rules, so check their websites or apps to see how to add your EBT card and which items are eligible.

Returns and Refunds With EBT Purchases

If you need to return an item you bought with EBT at Costco, federal rules say the refund has to go back onto your EBT card.

You can’t get cash back for SNAP purchases.

Usually, the money will show back up in your EBT account within a few days.

If you bought through a delivery platform like Instacart, you’ll start the return or credit process inside that app, and any refund for SNAP‑eligible food will be sent back to your EBT card.

Common Questions About Using EBT at Costco

The Bottom Line on EBT at Costco

Yes, Costco accepts EBT at all of its warehouse locations for SNAP‑eligible food purchases.

You can’t use EBT to buy a membership or for regular Costco.com orders, but many shoppers can now use EBT for some Costco same‑day delivery orders through Instacart or similar services.

However, keep these important 2026 updates in mind:

• 18 states now restrict soda, energy drinks, and candy purchases with EBT as part of the MAHA initiative
• Food courts now require membership card scans to order, even at outdoor locations
• Coca-Cola replaced Pepsi in food courts (completed early 2026)
• Self-checkout with EBT now works at all locations that have self-checkout
• Instacart Same-Day Delivery now accepts EBT for Costco orders

If you’re trying to decide whether a Costco membership is worth it while using SNAP benefits, do the math on your typical purchases. If you shop smart and buy the right bulk items, you can save way more than the $65 annual membership cost.

And remember, if you ever have questions about your SNAP benefits or what’s allowed, you can always contact your state’s SNAP office or visit the official SNAP website for detailed information.

Have questions or want to share your experience using EBT at Costco? Feel free to leave a comment below.