Does H Mart Take EBT?

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

This has been an area of confusion because while the payment and pricing page on their website says that H Mart does not accept EBT, multiple store employees have reported that H Mart does accept EBT. In fact, H Mart appears on the SNAP Retail Locator, which finds locations near you that accept EBT. Locations can be found by city and state or zip code. It may be a good idea to check whether the H Mart location you want to visit accepts 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.

H Mart sells Asian groceries, Western food, home appliances, beauty products, and baby food. Products may be purchased in-store or online. Please proceed to read the rest of this article to fully understand the details of shopping at H Mart with EBT.

What Can You Buy With EBT at H Mart?

The H Mart items that may be purchased with EBT include any cold food items such as drinks, ramen, rice, condiments, canned food, produce, meat, seaweed, and kimchi.

What Can You NOT Buy With EBT at H Mart?

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. For example, H Mart items that may not be purchased with EBT include home appliances, supplements, beauty products, and baby items. These Items can be purchased with TANF funds, however.

How to Use an EBT Card at H Mart

1. Check Your Balance:  Before going to H Mart, 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.
2. Separate Items:  In order to avoid charging items that are not eligible on your EBT card on accident, it’s best to separate EBT eligible items and regular items before checkout. It is a good idea to present the EBT eligible items to the cashier first and pay first using your EBT card. The cashier will then tell you your total for the non-EBT items, and you would pay for them another way.
3. Swipe your EBT card and enter your PIN. Alternatively, you may need to hand the card to the cashier.
4. Take your receipt. Your current EBT balance is on the receipt. 

What is the H Mart 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.”

H Mart only allows products to be returned or exchanged at the store where the items were purchased. A receipt is required for all returns and exchanges. Groceries must be returned within 7 days of purchase. Refrigerated and frozen items must be returned within 24 hours of purchase. For defective electronics and electrical appliances, returns or exchanges may be made within 14 days of purchase. Opened products cannot be returned unless they are defective. 

Please refer to this page for the H Mart return and exchange policy.

What H Mart Locations Accept EBT?

As previously mentioned, please check whether the specific H Mart location you would like to visit accepts EBT. You may find an H Mart location here. H Mart is located in the following states:

• Arizona
• California 
• Georgia 
• Hawaii
• Illinois 
• Massachusetts 
• Maryland
• Michigan
• North Carolina 
• New Jersey 
• New York 
• Pennsylvania 
• Texas
• Virginia

EBT Card FAQ at H Mart