Amazon provides EBT (Electronics Benefits Transfer) recipients the opportunity to buy eligible items on their platform. However, with the nearly endless products sold on Amazon, it can be difficult to know which items are EBT eligible, and which are not. Not to mention an Amazon Prime membership, and other additional services, it can be tricky to know if and when you can use EBT towards those purchases. Below you’ll learn exactly what products are EBT eligible on Amazon’s platform and how to add your EBT card to Amazon to start using your benefits.

Amazon has accepted EBT for many years now, but since they’ve traditionally been online only, and now have some brick & mortar and other services, it gets a little more tricky.

Here’s How Amazon EBT Works

To use your SNAP EBT card on Amazon, follow these three simple steps:

1. Add/register your SNAP EBT card number on Amazon’s website here.

2. Shop for your groceries.

3. Once done shopping, enter your EBT PIN to pay for all eligible grocery items selected on Amazon.

You can still buy non-eligible EBT items, you just have to use a separate form of payment.

PRO TIP: FILTER ELIGIBLE ITEMS ON AMAZON

You can either go straight to Amazon’s eligible products page or you can filter the search results by typing in “SNAP EBT eligible” in the Amazon search bar.

Once on the SNAP-eligible section, use the filters on the left-hand side of the page to refine your search.

The different filters include the following:

Categories: Choose specific food types like fresh produce, dairy, or pantry staples.

Brands: Filter by trusted brands.

Price Range: Set a budget to find items within your EBT allowance.

Once you’ve identified the eligible items you want to buy, add them to your cart. During checkout, Amazon will automatically apply your SNAP.

See Also: 4 Clever Ways to Buy Amazon Returns and Save

Gotta Add Your EBT Card To Your Account

Before you can start using your SNAP EBT benefits on Amazon, inevitably you must enter your EBT card’s unique number.

To add your SNAP EBT card, register your EBT card number here on Amazon’s website.

Can’t Use Your Cash EBT Card on Amazon

Unfortunately, Amazon will only take your regular EBT card and will not accept your Cash EBT card at this time.

The main difference between the 2 cards is that your Cash EBT card can be used to withdraw cash from an ATM machine.

I also received a comment on this article stating that an EBT card can ONLY be used on food items while a Cash EBT card can be used on other stuff like toilet paper and feminine hygiene products.

I cannot find any evidence that this is actually true. From my research, both cards can be used to buy all EBT eligible items.

PRO TIP: AMAZON FRESH & EBT

I recently discovered that Amazon Fresh accepts EBT in select regions. Enter your zip code on the Amazon Fresh page to confirm eligibility in your area.

If not available, consider alternative Amazon grocery services, like Whole Foods delivery.

Once your EBT card is linked, visit the Amazon Fresh store to browse EBT-eligible products. Categories include fresh produce, dairy, meat, pantry staples, and beverages.

Again, you’ll want to use the “SNAP EBT Eligible” filter to ensure you are selecting items covered by your benefits.

Lastly, choose a delivery window that works for you. Amazon Fresh often offers free delivery for orders above a certain amount (typically $35-$50, depending on location).

Product Eligibility “Stamp”

The food that is currently eligible for SNAP EBT on Amazon includes:

• Fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products.
• Bread, cereals, canned vegetables, and pantry items.
• Snacks, seeds, and non-alcoholic beverages.

When in doubt, be on the lookout for Amazon grocery items stamped with “SNAP EBT eligible”.

Otherwise, if products aren’t listed above, or at the very least, have a “SNAP EBT eligible” label, the product is ineligible and excluded from EBT.

Some notable ineligible product exclusions that you can’t buy with EBT on Amazon include:

• Alcohol
• Tobacco products
• Medicine
• Dietary Supplements
• Live animals
• Cleaning supplies, beauty products, and pet food.

Amazon doesn’t actually sell alcohol or tobacco products, but I’ll include them in my list for the sake of clarity.

Also, it’s worth noting that you cannot use Amazon Layaway in conjunction with EBT eligible items.

See Also: You Can Also Use EBT at Costco…Here’s How

PRO TIP: EXPLORE ELIGIBLE GIFT BASKETS

Amazon offers gift baskets that combine food and non-food items, such as gourmet snacks paired with reusable containers, kitchen tools, and even warm and fuzzy socks and scarves.

As long as they contain at least 50% eligible food items, these can be purchased with EBT, providing added value beyond just food.

Amazon EBT Works in 49 States

Amazon EBT works in all states except Alaska.

You can also use EBT in Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.

Prime Membership is NOT Required

You don’t need an Amazon Prime membership in order to use EBT benefits for Amazon items.

This means you also have access to Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market without being a Prime member.

Likewise, on SNAP EBT-eligible orders, you can get free delivery without needing a Prime membership.

Steps Amazon Uses to Verify Your EBT Status

Amazon verifies your EBT status by requiring you to enter your EBT number.

You must qualify again each year to ensure your EBT status has not changed.

With regards to verifying EBT status to get a 50% discount off an Amazon Prime membership for EBT recipients, you must do the following:

1. Enter your EBT number.

2. Upload an image of your EBT card.

See Also: Can You Also Use EBT at Whole Foods Market?

Items Can’t Be Sold by a 3rd Party Seller

For items to EBT eligible, they MUST be shipped by Amazon and sold by Amazon.

Items sold by 3rd party sellers are not eligible.

It’s also worth noting that you cannot buy Amazon gift cards with EBT.

Can’t Buy a Prime Membership with EBT

You can’t buy your annual Amazon Prime membership with EBT.

However, you can receive a 50% discount from Amazon Prime with proof of being an EBT recipient.

To verify you are a valid EBT recipient to receive this Prime discount, you must 1) enter your EBT number here and 2) upload an image of your EBT card.

Return Policy Is The Same When Using EBT

If you aren’t satisfied with your Amazon Fresh store item or Amazon Go item, you can return it to receive a refund if you paid using EBT.

To return your Amazon Fresh or Amazon Go item for a refund you paid with EBT:

1. Visit “Your Orders” (on your Amazon account).

2. Navigate to the item you wish to return (that was bought using EBT)

3. Select “Request Item Refund”.

4. Follow the additional directions provided.

It’s important to note it can take up to 10 business days for the refund to be issued back onto your EBT card once the refund has been processed.

Ask the Reader: Do you regularly use your EBT benefits on Amazon? If so, am I missing any tidbits of information that others might find helpful?

By Kyle James

Kyle James( Owner/Founder )

I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)