Does Amazon Take EBT?

Yes, Amazon accepts EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), formerly known as food stamps. 

Amazon is an online retailer that sells a wide variety of products, including groceries. Amazon is part of a pilot program to accept SNAP EBT online. Customers from any state except Alaska may use EBT for groceries on Amazon. 

You may shop at Amazon.com or use the Amazon app. Please proceed to read the rest of this article to fully understand the details of shopping at Amazon with EBT.

For those who qualify, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) deposits funds onto the same EBT card as SNAP benefits, and TANF funds can be used like cash, to be spent on necessities such as food, rent, medical bills, transportation, or child care. TANF funds may not be used at Amazon.

What Can You Buy With EBT at Amazon?

The Amazon items that may be purchased with EBT are labeled “SNAP EBT eligible.” For more information please see this page. 

What Can You NOT Buy With EBT at Amazon?

According to this government website, products such as hot foods, alcohol, tobacco products, non-food items, vitamins, medicines, and supplements may not be purchased on EBT. All items without the “SNAP EBT eligible” label cannot be purchased with EBT.

How to Use an EBT Card at Amazon

1. Check Your Balance:  Before shopping at Amazon, check your balance on your EBT account to make sure you know your spending limit. You can check your balance by calling the number on the back of your card and following the prompts on the call. You can also check your EBT balance on the Amazon site or app.
2. Log into your account: If you do not already have an Amazon account, you will need to create one. This must be a personal account and not a business account. You do not need a Prime membership to use EBT on Amazon.
3. Add your EBT card on your Amazon account. Go to “My Account” and “Your Payments” to add your EBT card. You don’t need to add the card to begin shopping. You can add it at a later time before checkout.
4. Shop: You may purchase any food items, seeds, and non-alcoholic beverages. Please look for the “SNAP EBT eligible” label near the product name. Only these food items may be purchased on EBT. You may use your SNAP EBT benefits to purchase groceries on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market.
5. If you choose to purchase your groceries on Amazon.com, you will need a minimum $25 order to qualify for free shipping if you do not have a Prime membership. The shipping fee cannot be paid for by your EBT card, even if you receive TANF and have cash funds available on your EBT card. You must pay for shipping another way such as a debit card, credit card, or Amazon gift card.
6. Amazon Fresh is a physical and online grocery store. Amazon Fresh is normally only available to Prime customers, but you may use EBT with Amazon Fresh without a Prime membership. You will need a minimum order of $35 to qualify for free shipping. For orders less than $35, the shipping fee cannot be paid for by your EBT card, even if you receive TANF and have cash funds available on your EBT card. You must pay for shipping another way.
7. Whole Foods: EBT payments are accepted for SNAP-eligible products on delivery and pickup orders at Whole Foods Market locations. Grocery pickup is free on orders over $35. All delivery orders will include a $9.95 service fee. Your EBT funds cannot be used to pay for the service fee.
8. Pay for your groceries using your EBT PIN. You will then see how much of your total is left over to be covered by a different payment method.

What is the Amazon Return Policy for Items Purchased With EBT?

According to this federal law, all SNAP recipients must be treated like any other customer. It says that “you may return or refund an item bought with a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, so long as store policy allows it. 

All refunds for food items that you purchased with SNAP benefits go directly onto your EBT card. Cash refunds are not allowed for food items purchased with SNAP benefits under any circumstances.”

Amazon.com grocery products cannot be returned.

Regarding Amazon Fresh, they will “issue a refund up to 30 days from the date of delivery…If you’ve paid for an item with…SNAP EBT benefits, return to the store where the item was purchased with your receipt.”

Whole Foods Market accepts returns for products within 90 days of purchase. You must have a receipt to return or exchange items. Items that are damaged may be denied a refund or exchange

For Whole Foods orders placed through Amazon, follow the below steps: 

1. “Start your return at Amazon’s Online Return Center.
2. Select your favorite Whole Foods Market as the drop-off location. If you don’t see your preferred store as an option, your item or delivery ZIP code may not be eligible for return at Whole Foods Market.
3. Check your email — you’ll receive a QR code from Amazon that will be scanned when you drop off your package.
4. Bring your item to the Whole Foods Market you selected — no need to bring the original shipping box — and locate the return drop-off point either at the Customer Service desk or Pickup & Return kiosk.
5. Show your QR code to the Whole Foods Market team member or Amazon associate. They’ll take it from there — from the packing to the labeling to the shipping, all at no cost to you.”

What Amazon Locations Accept EBT?

As previously discussed, Amazon.com accepts EBT from all states except Alaska.

Amazon Fresh  is currently only available in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington DC. You may use EBT either at Amazon Fresh physical stores or online.

You may find a Whole Foods location here. All Whole Foods locations accept EBT.

EBT Card FAQ at Amazon