Walmart accepts EBT at every store location across the United States and also allows SNAP purchases online for grocery pickup, delivery, and shipping in all 50 states. If you have a SNAP EBT card, Walmart is one of the most accessible places to use it, with thousands of stores nationwide and a full online ordering option that makes grocery shopping easier for people who cannot easily get to a store.
This guide covers exactly what you can buy with EBT at Walmart, how to use your card online, what is not covered, and a few extra benefits Walmart offers for SNAP recipients.
How to Use Your EBT Card at Walmart In Store
Using your EBT card at a Walmart register works the same way as using a debit card. At checkout, swipe or insert your EBT card, select "EBT Food" when prompted, and enter your PIN. The register will automatically apply your SNAP balance to eligible items. If your cart has both eligible and non-eligible items, the register will split the transaction and ask you to pay the remaining balance with another payment method.
Key in-store tips:
- EBT cash (TANF/cash assistance) also works at Walmart registers and can be used for non-food items
- You can get cashback with EBT cash benefits at the register, typically up to $100 per transaction, though this only applies to your cash balance, not your SNAP food balance
- SNAP food benefits cannot be withdrawn as cash at any point
- Self-checkout registers also accept EBT at most Walmart locations
Using EBT Online at Walmart
Walmart was one of the first major retailers to accept SNAP EBT online, and the program is now available in all 50 states. You can use your SNAP EBT card for:
- Grocery pickup at your local Walmart store
- Grocery delivery to your home (availability varies by ZIP code)
- Shipping for eligible shelf-stable items sold and shipped by Walmart.com
To place an order online with EBT, go to Walmart.com or open the Walmart app, add eligible items to your cart, and select "EBT" as your payment method at checkout. You will be prompted to enter your EBT card number and PIN.
Important online ordering rules:
- Only items marked "SNAP EBT eligible" qualify for EBT payment online
- Only items sold and shipped directly by Walmart.com are EBT-eligible for shipping orders. Third-party marketplace items do not qualify.
- Delivery fees, tips, and service charges cannot be paid with SNAP EBT. You will need a second payment method (debit, credit, or prepaid card) to cover those costs.
- Pickup orders have no delivery fee, making them the most cost-effective option for EBT users
What You Can Buy With SNAP at Walmart
SNAP rules are set by the USDA, so the list of eligible items is the same at Walmart as it would be at any other SNAP-authorized retailer. The general rule is: if it is a food item intended for home preparation and consumption, it is likely eligible.
Eligible Food Categories
| Category | Examples |
|---|
| Fruits and vegetables | Fresh, frozen, canned, dried |
| Meat, poultry, and seafood | Beef, chicken, pork, fish, shellfish |
| Dairy products | Milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, eggs |
| Bread and cereals | Bread, pasta, rice, oatmeal, tortillas |
| Snack foods | Chips, crackers, cookies, candy |
| Non-alcoholic beverages | Juice, soda, water, coffee, tea |
| Condiments and pantry staples | Oil, vinegar, spices, sauces, canned goods |
| Baby food | Infant formula, jarred baby food |
| Seeds and plants | That produce food for the household to eat |
A note on beverages: soda, energy drinks, and sports drinks are all technically SNAP-eligible because the USDA has not restricted them at the federal level. Some states have explored waivers to restrict certain items, but as of 2026 those restrictions are not in effect nationally.
Non-Eligible Items at Walmart
You cannot use your SNAP EBT card to buy the following at Walmart:
| Category | Examples |
|---|
| Hot prepared foods | Rotisserie chicken, hot deli items, prepared soup |
| Alcohol | Beer, wine, liquor |
| Tobacco and vaping products | Cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes |
| Vitamins and supplements | Protein powder, multivitamins, herbal supplements |
| Non-food items | Cleaning supplies, paper goods, toiletries, pet food |
| Live animals | Fish in tanks, live lobster (in some cases) |
| Delivery fees or tips | Service charges on online orders |
The biggest point of confusion tends to be hot prepared foods. A rotisserie chicken sitting under a heat lamp at the Walmart deli counter is not SNAP-eligible. The same chicken raw in the meat department is fully eligible. The distinction is whether the food is hot at the point of sale.
Vitamins and supplements also catch people off guard. If a product has a "Supplement Facts" label instead of a "Nutrition Facts" label, it is not SNAP-eligible.
Walmart+ Assist: 50% Off Membership for SNAP Recipients
If you receive SNAP benefits, you may qualify for Walmart+ Assist, which cuts the cost of a Walmart+ membership in half. Regular Walmart+ costs $12.95 per month or $98 per year. With Walmart+ Assist, SNAP recipients pay $6.47 per month or $49 per year.
Walmart+ includes:
- Free unlimited grocery delivery (on orders over $35)
- Free shipping on most Walmart.com orders with no minimum
- Fuel discounts at Walmart, Murphy, Exxon, and Mobil stations
- Paramount+ streaming subscription included
To sign up for Walmart+ Assist, go to walmart.com/plus/assist and verify your SNAP enrollment through a third-party verification service. There is no impact to your SNAP benefits and no credit check required. New members can also get a 30-day free trial.
This is worth considering if you order groceries online regularly, since the delivery fee savings can quickly offset the membership cost.
How to Check Your EBT Balance Before Shopping
Before you head to Walmart or start an online order, it helps to know your current SNAP balance. You can check it several ways:
- Receipt from your last purchase. The remaining balance prints at the bottom of every EBT transaction receipt.
- Customer service line on the back of your EBT card. Each state has its own toll-free number.
- State EBT portal or app. Most states now offer an online portal or mobile app where you can view your balance and transaction history.
- Walmart register. You can run your card for $0 to check the balance, though this varies by location.
Does Walmart Accept WIC?
Yes, Walmart accepts WIC benefits in addition to SNAP EBT. WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) works differently from SNAP. It provides specific approved foods rather than a general food allowance. WIC benefits are typically loaded onto a WIC EBT card (or issued as paper vouchers in some states), and the approved items are clearly labeled on Walmart's shelves with WIC tags.
WIC and SNAP are separate programs. Having one does not affect your eligibility for the other, and you can use both in the same shopping trip at separate registers or as separate transactions.
Not Sure if You Qualify for SNAP?
If you are not currently receiving SNAP benefits but your household has limited income, you may qualify. SNAP income limits in 2026 are generally set at 130% of the Federal Poverty Level for gross income, which works out to:
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income Limit (130% FPL) |
|---|
| 1 | $1,580 |
| 2 | $2,137 |
| 3 | $2,694 |
| 4 | $3,250 |
| 5 | $3,807 |
| 6 | $4,364 |
| 7 | $4,921 |
| 8 | $5,478 |
| Each additional | +$557 |
Many states have higher limits or use expanded categorical eligibility rules that allow households up to 200% FPL or higher to qualify. Deductions for housing costs, childcare, and medical expenses can also lower your countable income.
Use our free screener at benefitsusa.org/screener to check your estimated eligibility in a few minutes. It covers SNAP plus 11 other federal and state programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use EBT at Walmart self-checkout?
Yes. Most Walmart self-checkout lanes accept EBT cards. The process is the same as at a staffed register. Insert or swipe your card, choose "EBT Food," and enter your PIN.
Can I use EBT for Walmart grocery delivery?
Yes. Walmart accepts SNAP EBT for grocery delivery in all 50 states. You will need a second payment method to cover the delivery fee, which cannot be paid with SNAP. Walmart+ Assist members get free delivery and can use EBT for the food portion.
Does Walmart charge a fee to use EBT?
No. There is no fee to use your EBT card at Walmart in-store or for pickup orders. Delivery orders do carry a fee that cannot be paid with EBT, but the food itself is not subject to any surcharge for using EBT.
Can I buy household supplies with EBT at Walmart?
Only if you have EBT cash benefits (TANF), not SNAP. SNAP food benefits are restricted to eligible food items. If you receive cash assistance through TANF in addition to SNAP, that cash balance can be used at the register for non-food items.
Can I use EBT at Sam's Club (which is owned by Walmart)?
Yes. Sam's Club, which is owned by Walmart, accepts EBT. However, Sam's Club requires a membership to shop, so you would need to pay the membership fee separately. EBT cannot be used to pay for a Sam's Club membership.
What happens if an item I want is not SNAP-eligible at Walmart?
The register will not apply your SNAP balance to that item automatically. You will need to pay for non-eligible items with another form of payment. If the non-eligible item is the only thing in your cart, you cannot check out with EBT.
Does Walmart accept EBT at the gas station?
No. SNAP food benefits cannot be used at Walmart gas stations or any other fuel retailer. EBT cash benefits can sometimes be used at ATMs or for cash-back at a register, but fuel is not an eligible SNAP purchase.
How do I add my EBT card to Walmart.com?
Go to your Walmart account, navigate to "Payment Methods," and select "Add EBT card." Enter your card number. You will verify your PIN at checkout when placing an order. Walmart does not store your PIN.
Is organic or specialty food SNAP-eligible at Walmart?
Yes. Organic produce, specialty cheeses, gluten-free pasta, and similar items are all SNAP-eligible as long as they are food items intended for home consumption and not hot at the point of sale. The USDA does not restrict SNAP to conventional or lower-cost foods.
Can I use SNAP to buy birthday cakes at Walmart?
Yes, with one exception. A pre-made birthday cake from the Walmart bakery is SNAP-eligible as long as it is not heated or hot at the time of purchase. If the bakery decorates a cake to order, the decoration cost may not be eligible in some interpretations, but in practice most Walmart bakery cakes ring up as SNAP-eligible.
