Does Target Accept EBT Food Stamps? (2024)

What is EBT?

EBT is part of the government assistance program SNAP. SNAP provides benefits to low-income individuals and families through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.

An EBT card is a plastic payment card with a security PIN and a magnetic strip. This can be used just like a regular debit card to purchase eligible food items from authorized retailers. EBT cards have been implemented in all states since 2004, and they help people to reduce the cost of groceries and thus provide financial relief to those on a low income.

You can use your EBT card to pay for items at authorized stores, like Walmart, for example. Like I said earlier though, not all stores will accept SNAP benefits.

You can also use it at certain fast food restaurants. For example, we know Subway does accept EBT.

Does Target Take EBT?

Yes, Target accepts EBT at all of its stores. You can use your EBT card to pay for SNAP eligible items at your local Target store.

What can you buy with an EBT card at Target?

While you can use your EBT card at Target, not all items are eligible. You can only use your card to purchase SNAP-eligible items.

Here’s what you can use your EBT to purchase:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Formula
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products
• Breads and cereals
• Other foods such as snack foods
• Non-alcoholic beverages
• Seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat

What can’t you buy with an EBT card at Target?

You can’t use your card on all items.

Here’s what you can’t use your EBT to purchase:

• Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements.
• Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered prior to pick-up from the store).
• Foods that are hot when sold.
• Non-food items, such as:
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Paper products
  • Pet foods
  • Hygiene items
  • Cosmetics

Does Target take EBT online?

No. You cannot use your EBT card to buy stuff at Target.com or on the Target app. This means you are only able to use your food stamps to buy stuff at Target stores. Like I said earlier though, the company has more than 1,800 stores throughout the country, so you’ll likely have one near you.

Does Starbucks in Target take EBT?

Because Starbucks is seen as a non-essential, luxury brand, it’s not an authorized SNAP retailer. This means that Starbucks doesn’t accept EBT cards at any of its company-owned stores.

However, Starbucks does accept EBT at some of its licensed stores that are located in grocery stores and retail stores. There are more than 6,300 licensed stores in the United States, so you may be able to use your food stamps when you visit a Starbucks inside a grocery store that accepts EBT, like Target.

You may be able to use your EBT card to purchase SNAP-eligible items there.

Here’s what you may be able to use your EBT card on at Starbucks-licensed stores:

• Instant coffee
• Creamer
• Coffee beans
• Ground coffee
• Pumpkin bread
• Cold beverages
• Sandwiches
• Soft drinks
• Sweets
• Energy drinks
• Snacks

Generally, any item that has a nutritional label, aside from hot foods and drinks, is EBT-eligible. Make sure you avoid hot and prepared foods that are intended to be consumed on the premises.

How to Use Your EBT Card at Target

When you’re at Target, you will need to separate your EBT eligible products from regular items as you load at the checkout. Put the EBT-eligible products first.

You can use your card to pay like you would with a normal debit card. So, you will need to swipe the magnetic strip or enter your PIN.

Does Target accept EBT at self-checkout?

Yes, you can use your EBT card on the self-checkouts at Target. This can actually be easier than going to a regular checkout because the computer will automatically apply the EBT discount on the eligible items as each food item is scanned.

This means that you don’t need to keep the eligible items separately.

What is the Target EBT return policy?

Target has a 90-day return policy. So you can return any items to the store within 90 days of purchase. If you used EBT to pay for something, your refund will be issued back to your EBT card. Retailers are not allowed to provide cash refunds on items paid for with an EBT card.

Closing Thoughts

Target does accept EBT on items that are SNAP-eligible. This is generally essential food items like meat, dairy, and infant formula. Sadly, you can’t use your EBT card to buy stuff online at Target.com or on the Target app, but you can still use your SNAP benefits in-store.