Because of their affordable bulk pricing, Sam’s has become an attractive option for EBT users, even if they have to pay $50 for an annual membership to gain access. So before you head off to Sam’s Club with your EBT card in hand, check out my insider tips that will alleviate any stress and make the whole deal much easier as I walk you through the process.

First of all, yes, you can use EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) at ALL Sam’s Club in the United States.

It’s worth noting that you CANNOT shop with a friend who’s a Sam’s member and use your EBT benefits, you must pay the $50 annual membership fee.

Also, you can’t shop the Sam’s website and use your EBT card, you’ll have to go to an actual store to make it happen.

EBT Eligible Foods at Sam’s

Here are a few of the most popular items you CAN buy with your EBT card at Sam’s…

– Meats – Includes beef, chicken, fish, and turkey.

– Produce – Includes both fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables.

– Dairy – Think things like milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.

– Plants and Seeds – If you can grow it for food, you can buy it with your EBT card.

– Breads/Cereal – These are typically a great deal at Sam’s.

– Non-Alcoholic Drinks

– Snack Foods

PRO TIP: THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EBT & SNAP

SNAP stands for “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program” and is essentially “tech savvy” food stamps.

So instead of getting actual paper food stamps, you’ll get your benefits on a plastic card, similar to a debit card, which is called an EBT card.

Your EBT (or SNAP) card is then used just like a debit card at Sam’s Club.

The Items You Can’t Buy With an EBT Card

Here are the major items you CANNOT buy…

– Alcohol 

– Tobacco Products 

– Hot “Already-Cooked” Foods – This includes items from the Sam’s Club food court.

– Diapers – This one really surprises me. Fortunately, there are many ways to get free diapers if you need them.

– Live Seafood

– Paper Products

– Health Items

– Pet Food

– Cleaning Items

– Women’s Hygiene

See Also: 7 Clever Ways to Shop at Sam’s Club W/O a Membership

You Can Use Your EBT Card at Self-Checkout

Your EBT card is an allowed payment method when using self-checkout at Sam’s, and is great way to pay if you’re at all embarrassed about using EBT.

You can even do a split payment if you don’t have enough money on your EBT Card.

Once you swipe your card it’ll tell you how much money is on your card.

Then you just swipe your card again and enter your PIN.

The amount on your EBT card will be deducted, then you can use a credit card to pay for the remaining balance.

PRO TIP: HOW TO PAY REMAINING BALANCE

Keep in mind that you MUST use a credit card to pay the remaining balance as the self-checkout machine WON’T accept cash, even SNAP cash.

Sam’s “Scan & Go” Service Is a Game Changer

You should definitely use it, or at least give it a try as it allows you TO SKIP THE CHECKOUT LINE.

Scan & Go is Sam’s smartphone app that you can download for free and start using immediately.

You just walk around the store, scan items, and put them in your cart.

When you’re done shopping, you just complete your purchase on the app, and as of 2024, you can choose EBT as your payment method.

The great thing about the app is it tells you immediately if the item you just scanned can be purchased with your EBT card.

So it really takes away any anxiety about getting to the front of the checkout line and having items in your order declined because they don’t qualify for EBT.

PRO TIP: BEST WAY TO USE “SCAN & GO”

The best way to make it happen is to pull your shopping cart into a quiet aisle and use the Scan & Go app to scan all the items in your cart.

Next, keep your receipt pulled up on your smartphone and show it to the worker at the door when exiting. Done and done.

Also, some stores have a designated spot where “Scan & Go” shoppers get their order okayed. 

See Also: Does Costco Take EBT or Snap? All the Facts You Need to Know

EBT Not Available for “Curbside Pickup”

Curbside pickup orders at Sam’s are not eligible for EBT as your payment method…YET.

The same goes for Sam’s Same-Day Delivery service.

The reason it doesn’t work is because curbside pickup orders use SamsClub.com and the website still doesn’t accept EBT.

Hopefully this will change soon as many shoppers have complained about this to Sam’s Club management.

Family Members Can Use Your EBT Card

But…the only way family members can use your EBT card at Sam’s (or anywhere else) is if you list them when you fill out the benefits application form.

This includes your spouse, parents, and children.

Won’t work if you list your girlfriend or boyfriend, you must be married.

Note: I’ve been told this policy could vary by state, so be sure to do the research on your particular state.

See Also: Sam’s Return Policy: We Make Sense of It For You

Sam’s Does Not Currently Accept WIC

WIC, which stands for “Women, Infants, and Children”, is a supplemental federal program offering healthy food and nutrition education.

Unfortunately, Sam’s Club is not an authorized WIC retailer and thus not accepted at their store.

But not all hope is lost as most grocery stores DO accept WIC.

Notably, this includes national retailers like Safeway, Target, and Walmart.

Ask the Reader: Do you regularly use your EBT card at Sam’s Club? Is it an easy process? Let me know if this article is missing any information and I’ll be sure to add it.

By Kyle James

Photo credit to Mike Mozart.

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)