Kroger accepts EBT cards at every location in its family of stores, in-store and online. If you receive SNAP benefits, you can use your EBT card at the register, at self-checkout, and now for grocery pickup and delivery orders through the Kroger app or Kroger.com. This guide covers exactly what you can buy with SNAP at Kroger, how to set up online EBT shopping, which Kroger banners accept EBT, and new 2026 restrictions affecting what SNAP covers in some states.
Which Kroger Stores Accept EBT?
The Kroger Co. operates under more than a dozen regional banner names. All of them accept EBT. If you shop at any of these stores, your SNAP card works there:
| Store Banner | Primary Regions |
|---|
| Kroger | Midwest, South, Southeast |
| Ralphs | Southern California |
| Fred Meyer | Pacific Northwest |
| King Soopers | Colorado |
| Smith's | Mountain West |
| Fry's Food Stores | Arizona |
| City Market | Colorado, Wyoming, Utah |
| Dillons | Kansas |
| Mariano's | Illinois |
| Pick 'n Save / Metro Market | Wisconsin |
| Baker's | Nebraska |
| Jay C Food Stores | Indiana |
| Pay Less Super Markets | Indiana |
| Gerbes Super Markets | Missouri |
| QFC | Pacific Northwest |
Every one of these stores accepts EBT at all checkout lanes, including self-checkout. You do not need to use a staffed lane to pay with your card.
Using EBT Online at Kroger
Kroger expanded nationwide EBT acceptance for online orders in 2023, and the program has been running in full since then. You can use your EBT card to pay for both grocery pickup and delivery orders.
How to Add Your EBT Card to Kroger Online
- Create or log in to your account at Kroger.com or in the Kroger app.
- Go to "My Account" and select "Wallet."
- Select "Add Payment Method" and choose EBT/SNAP.
- Enter your EBT card number. You will enter your PIN at checkout, not during setup.
- When you check out, select your EBT card as the payment method and enter your PIN to confirm.
What Fees Can and Cannot Be Paid With EBT Online
SNAP benefits cover only the cost of eligible food items. They do not cover:
- Delivery fees
- Service or convenience fees
- Tips for delivery drivers
- Any non-SNAP items in the same order
If your cart includes both SNAP-eligible and non-eligible items, or if there is a delivery fee, you will need a second payment method (credit or debit card) to cover those charges. Pickup orders at Kroger stores do not typically carry a per-order fee.
What You Can Buy With EBT at Kroger
SNAP covers food intended for home consumption. At Kroger, that includes the vast majority of what you see on the shelves.
SNAP-Eligible Items at Kroger
| Category | Examples |
|---|
| Fresh produce | Apples, bananas, leafy greens, tomatoes, peppers |
| Frozen fruits and vegetables | Frozen mixed vegetables, frozen berries |
| Canned goods | Canned beans, canned tomatoes, canned fruit |
| Meat and poultry | Chicken, ground beef, pork chops, deli meats (cold) |
| Seafood | Fish fillets, shrimp, canned tuna and salmon |
| Dairy | Milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, eggs |
| Bread and grains | Bread, tortillas, pasta, rice, cereal, oatmeal |
| Snacks | Chips, crackers, cookies, granola bars |
| Non-alcoholic beverages | Juice, bottled water, sports drinks, soda (see 2026 note below) |
| Baby food and formula | Infant formula, jarred baby food |
| Seeds and plants | Vegetable seeds, fruit plants that produce food |
Items You Cannot Buy With EBT at Kroger
SNAP does not cover the following, regardless of where you shop:
- Alcohol and beer/wine
- Tobacco and cigarettes
- Hot prepared foods (rotisserie chicken, hot bar items, hot deli items)
- Vitamins and dietary supplements (items with a "Supplement Facts" label)
- Medications and over-the-counter drugs
- Non-food household items: cleaning supplies, paper products, pet food, soap, toiletries
- Gift cards
A quick rule of thumb: if a packaged item has a "Nutrition Facts" label, it is generally SNAP-eligible. If it has a "Supplement Facts" label, it is not.
Hot prepared foods are specifically excluded. The rotisserie chickens near the deli counter are not covered, even though raw chicken from the meat department is.
2026 SNAP Restrictions: What Changed
Several states received federal approval in 2026 to restrict SNAP purchases further than the baseline federal rules. These state-level restrictions affect what EBT will cover at Kroger locations within those states.
As of early 2026, states with enacted or pending restrictions on items like soda, candy, and other processed foods include:
- Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, and West Virginia: restrictions took effect January 1, 2026
- Idaho and Oklahoma: restrictions took effect in mid-February 2026
- Colorado: restrictions took effect in March 2026
- Texas and Florida: restrictions scheduled for April 2026
If you shop at a Kroger store in one of these states, your EBT card may be declined on certain items that would be covered in other states. The specific restricted items vary by state. If you are unsure whether something is covered in your state, check your state's SNAP agency website or ask a cashier before checking out.
States not listed above continue to follow standard federal SNAP rules, where soda, candy, and similar items remain eligible.
Kroger Verified Savings Program for SNAP Shoppers
In late 2025, Kroger launched a Verified Savings Program that gives additional discounts to people receiving government assistance. If you receive SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, or benefits from one of 14 qualifying programs, you may be eligible for:
- 20% off fruits and vegetables
- 50% off Boost by Kroger Plus membership (which provides free pickup and reduced delivery fees)
To enroll, you verify your benefit status through SheerID, a third-party verification service, via your Kroger account online. Verification lasts five months before you need to reverify. This discount stacks with your SNAP benefits, so you can get 20% off produce and then pay with your EBT card.
The program is available at all Kroger banner stores listed in the table above.
Tips for Stretching Your SNAP Budget at Kroger
Use the Kroger app. Digital coupons are available every week and load directly to your Kroger Plus card. Many produce, dairy, and protein deals are included. These savings come off your total before SNAP is charged.
Shop Kroger store brands. Simple Truth, Kroger brand, and Private Selection lines typically cost less than name brands for the same item categories.
Check the weekly ad. Kroger rotates loss-leader sales on staples. Buying in bulk during a sale on items like chicken, rice, or canned goods can make your monthly benefits go further.
Order pickup to avoid impulse purchases. Building your cart online through the app lets you see your total before you commit, which helps avoid going over your benefit balance.
Combine SNAP with WIC if eligible. WIC covers specific items (certain cereals, milk, eggs, cheese, juice, infant formula) with no spending limit on those items. Using WIC for those categories and SNAP for everything else is the most efficient approach if you qualify for both.
How to Check Your EBT Balance Before Shopping at Kroger
Your EBT balance is not shown in the Kroger app or on the receipt before payment. To check your balance before you shop:
- Call the number on the back of your EBT card
- Log in to your state's EBT portal online
- Check your balance at any ATM that accepts your card (no purchase required, though some charge a fee)
- Check the balance printed on your last grocery receipt
Knowing your balance before you arrive prevents declined payments at the register.
Does Kroger Accept EBT Cash Benefits?
Yes. In addition to SNAP food benefits, Kroger accepts EBT cash (also called Electronic Benefits Transfer cash or TANF cash benefits) where applicable. EBT cash can be used for any purchase, similar to a debit card, and can also be withdrawn as cash from ATMs. At checkout, specify whether you want to use SNAP benefits or EBT cash, as they are separate balances on the same card.
Not Sure If You Qualify for SNAP?
If you are not currently receiving SNAP and want to find out whether you might qualify, the income limits for 2026 are based on the federal poverty level. A household of one qualifies with gross monthly income at or below approximately $1,580. A household of four qualifies at or below approximately $3,250 per month. Actual eligibility depends on your state, household size, income, and deductions.
Use the free screener at benefitsusa.org/screener to check your eligibility across SNAP and 10+ other programs in under two minutes. There is no cost and no commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kroger accept EBT at self-checkout?
Yes. All Kroger self-checkout lanes accept EBT. Swipe or insert your card, select the EBT/SNAP payment option on the screen, and enter your PIN when prompted.
Can I use my EBT card for Kroger delivery?
Yes. Kroger accepts EBT as payment for delivery orders placed through the Kroger app or Kroger.com. Note that delivery fees and tips must be paid with a separate credit or debit card, as SNAP cannot cover those costs.
Does Kroger charge a fee for EBT pickup orders?
Kroger offers free pickup at most locations. EBT can be used to pay for the groceries during pickup. Standard pickup slots are typically free, though same-day or expedited slots may carry a small fee that would need to be paid separately.
Can I use my EBT card at Ralphs, Fred Meyer, or King Soopers?
Yes. Ralphs, Fred Meyer, King Soopers, and all other Kroger banner stores accept EBT in-store and online.
What happens if I try to buy a non-eligible item with my EBT card at Kroger?
The register will split your transaction. SNAP-eligible items will be charged to your EBT card. Non-eligible items will remain and you will need to pay for them with a different payment method or remove them from your order.
Does Kroger have a minimum order for EBT online orders?
Kroger does not impose a SNAP-specific minimum. Standard order minimums for pickup or delivery may apply depending on your location, but those are the same minimums that apply to all customers, not specific to EBT.
Can I use EBT to buy organic food at Kroger?
Yes. Organic produce, organic dairy, and other organic foods are SNAP-eligible as long as they meet the standard food eligibility rules. The SNAP program does not distinguish between conventional and organic items.
Will the 2026 SNAP restrictions affect what I can buy at Kroger in my state?
It depends on your state. If you are in Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, West Virginia, Idaho, Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas, or Florida, some items that were previously SNAP-eligible (such as soda or candy) may now be restricted. In all other states, the standard federal SNAP rules still apply.
Is there an income limit to qualify for SNAP in 2026?
Yes. The standard gross income limit is 130% of the federal poverty level. For a single person, that is approximately $1,580 per month. For a family of four, approximately $3,250 per month. Many states also have net income and asset tests. Use the screener at benefitsusa.org/screener to get a personalized estimate based on your household.
