(Last Updated on 1/8/22)
Amazon now accepts EBT in almost all 50 states for online grocery shopping for delivery. The company has expanded a pilot program that was at first only available in New York state to almost nationwide. In this post, we will explain how to buy groceries on Amazon with EBT Card.
In addition, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about the program, including how the payment process works, and provide the list of states included in the program.
This post on using EBT Online to shop on Amazon will cover:
- USDA EBT Online Purchasing Pilot Program
- Amazon EBT Pilot and States Included
- What states can use EBT on Amazon?
- How to Buy Groceries on Amazon with EBT Card
- Get 50% Off Amazon Prime with EBT Card
- Amazon EBT Online FAQs
USDA EBT Online Purchasing Pilot Program
The United States Department of Agriculture, the federal agency that oversees the foods stamps program started the Online Purchasing Pilot in January 2017 with select retailers for the initial launch of the EBT Online Purchasing Pilot.
The first state to actually launch an online EBT program was New York, starting in 2019.
Since New York launched its program, more states have followed.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the USDA expanded the program to include nearly the entire country.
As of August 2021, 47 states and the District of Columbia have been added to the pilot program to allow SNAP recipients the option to shop online with their EBT cards for delivery or pickup.
This includes major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, ALDI, Kroger, and more.
Amazon EBT Online Grocery Delivery Program
Amazon first rolled out its pilot program in New York. The program allows people who use SNAP or food stamps to use their EBT cards to buy groceries on Amazon for delivery.
In addition, you don’t need an Amazon Prime membership to buy groceries on Amazon.com with an EBT card.
You will be able to buy from Amazon’s main grocery selection as well as from Amazon Fresh.
What states can use EBT on Amazon?
The program was later expanded to cover 46 states and the District of Columbia.
Currently, customers with a valid SNAP EBT card in all states except Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Montana can use their SNAP funds on Amazon.
How to Buy Groceries on Amazon with EBT Card
Here’s how you can use your EBT card to buy groceries online from Amazon for Delivery.
Here are the steps to pay for your Amazon Groceries with your EBT Card.
Step 1 – Log into Amazon or Create Account
The first step in the process is to add your EBT card to your Amazon account. Click here to get started.
You will be taken to a page like the one below where you will be required to sign in to your Amazon account, as shown below.
If you do not have an Amazon account, click on the “Create your Amazon account” as shown by the arrow below.
Next, you will then be asked to enter your email address/phone number and password to sign in.
Step 2 – Add your Food Stamps EBT card to Amazon
After you log into your Amazon account, you will be taken to a page like the one below, where you will be asked to enter your SNAP EBT Card Number
Once you enter the requested information, click “Continue” to complete the process.
Step 3 – Shop Amazon Groceries
Now that you have added your EBT card to your Amazon account, you can now shop for groceries on Amazon.
Below are the Amazon grocery options available to you. Click on each to be taken to the grocery page.
Below is a summary of what you get with Amazon Grocery and Amazon Fresh with your food stamps EBT card.
For the difference between Amazon Grocery and Amazon Fresh, see our FAQs section below.
NOTE: You are not allowed to use your food stamps EBT card to pay for shipping or delivery costs.
Therefore, if you want free delivery, be sure to note the free shipping minimums for each program as stated below.
Amazon Fresh
Here is what you can buy on Amazon Fresh with your EBT Card
- Groceries and fresh produce
- Get FREE access to Amazon Fresh when you add your SNAP EBT card
- Look for items labeled Amazon Fresh
- Free shipping on eligible orders over $35 (over $50 in select regions)
- Available in select regions
The video below provides a great explanation of AmazonFresh and how it works.
Go to Amazon Fresh.
Amazon Grocery
Here is what you can buy on Amazon Grocery with your EBT Card
- Large packs, everyday food
- SNAP EBT can be used on eligible items that are shipped and sold by Amazon
- Free shipping on eligible orders over $25
Go to Amazon Grocery.
Step 4 – Enter your EBT PIN to pay
When you are ready to checkout, the final step in the process is to enter your food stamps EBT card pin number to confirm your identity and ownership of the card.
Get 50% Off Amazon Prime with EBT Card
If you have an EBT Card, you can now sign up for Amazon Prime EBT Discount and get all the great benefits that come with Prime membership, at a fraction of the cost.
This includes FREE one-day shipping on millions of items on Amazon.
The regular Amazon Prime membership is $12.99 a month. However, if you have an EBT Card, you can get Prime Membership for $5.99. That’s over 50% off the regular price.
Here’s how the Amazon Prime EBT Discount compares to other Amazon Prime memberships.
Amazon Prime Membership | Price | Full Prime benefits |
Amazon Prime month-to-month | $12.99/mo. | ✓ |
Amazon Prime annual | $119/yr. | ✓ |
Prime Student (monthly) | $6.49/mo. | ✓ |
Prime Student (annual) | $59/yr. | ✓ |
Amazon Prime EBT/Medicaid cardholders | $5.99/mo. (max. 4 yrs.) | ✓ |
As you can see, the Amazon Prime EBT Discount is a great bargain.
To sign up, click here to be taken to their sign-up page or click the sign-up link below
Sign up for Amazon Prime DiscountTo learn more about the Amazon Prime EBT Discount and the benefits and perks you get with Amazon Prime membership, click here.
Amazon EBT Online FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about how to buy groceries on Amazon with EBT Card
Who is eligible to use SNAP EBT on Amazon?
Currently, customers with a valid SNAP EBT card in the states of IA, NY, OR or WA can use their SNAP funds on Amazon. As more states are added to this program, we will update you on this page.
Do I need a Prime membership to use my SNAP EBT card on Amazon?
No. If you have a valid food stamps EBT card from IA, NY, OR, or WA, you can buy groceries on Amazon for delivery, including Amazon Fresh. An Amazon Prime account is not required.
However, order minimums still apply to Amazon Fresh to receive free shipping.
What items are eligible for purchase with Food Stamps EBT Card?
When shopping with your food stamps EBT card, you can only buy SNAP-eligible food items that are shipped and sold by Amazon.com.
You can identify which items on Amazon are eligible for purchase with SNAP by looking for the “SNAP EBT eligible” label near the product name. You must be logged in to Amazon to see this designation.
Why do similar Amazon Grocery items have different SNAP eligibility?
According to USDA requirements, Amazon Grocery food items must be sold by Amazon to be eligible for purchase with SNAP EBT funds.
Since Amazon allows third parties to sell items in the Amazon store, a product may have multiple offers by multiple sellers.
In that case, only the Amazon Grocery offer that is sold by Amazon will be eligible for purchase with SNAP EBT.
These offers indicate that they are “Shipped and Sold by Amazon” on the product detail page.
Can I use SNAP EBT funds to pay for shipping or delivery?
No. USDA requirements prohibit using your food stamps EBT funds to cover shipping or delivery fees.
However, it’s possible to earn free shipping by adding enough qualifying items to your order.
How can I tell if my zip code is eligible for delivery on purchases using my SNAP EBT card?
To find out, first sign in and add your EBT card to your Amazon account by clicking here.
During the sign-up process, you will have an opportunity to input your zip code. At that time, you will be notified whether or not your zip code is eligible.
Do I need to have a credit or debit card to shop on Amazon?
No. You do not need to have a credit or debit card to purchase items with your EBT card online at Amazon.
However, it helps to have a credit or debit card on file for when you want to pay for items that are not on the food stamps eligible list or for when your food stamps funds run out.
Can I check out using multiple forms of payment?
Yes. You can use multiple forms of payment, such as a food stamps EBT card, and a credit card.
You will need to do so if you have non-food stamps eligible items in your cart or shipping fees. Please note that only one food stamps EBT card can be used per order.
What if I do not have a credit or debit card and wish to purchase items with cash?
If you do not have a credit or debit card but would like to purchase non-food stamps eligible items with cash, you can use a gift card or Amazon Cash.
With Amazon Cash, you preload funds onto your Amazon account via an authorized retailer. To learn more, please visit Amazon Cash.
What are the differences between Amazon Fresh and Amazon Grocery?
What is Amazon Fresh?
Amazon Fresh is similar to your typical grocery store, delivering perishable, shelf-stable and household products in everyday package sizes.
Amazon Fresh is typically available only to Prime members.
However, Amazon is making Amazon Fresh selection available to customers who shop with a SNAP EBT card in eligible regions without Prime membership fees.
To receive free delivery on Amazon Fresh orders, purchase $35 or more ($50 in select regions) – or place a smaller order and pay a shipping fee.
You can schedule your preferred delivery time within a 1 or 2-hour delivery window, as early as the same day.
For more about Amazon Fresh Delivery, click here. Please visit Amazon Fresh, click here. including lower free shipping thresholds, visit About Amazon Fresh.
What is Amazon Grocery?
The Grocery and Gourmet Food category on Amazon features shelf-stable food and household items in multi-pack sizes.
Prime orders receive free 2-day Prime shipping.
Orders of $25 or more of eligible items receive FREE shipping in 5-8 business days—or you can place a smaller order and pay a shipping fee.
NOTE: The minimum order size for free shipping is calculated separately for Amazon Fresh and Amazon Grocery.
To receive free shipping for any one of these programs, simply meet order minimums for that program, and shipping fees will be waived.
How to buy groceries on Amazon with EBT Card Summary
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Be sure to check out our other articles about SNAP and EBT, including:
Free Admission with EBT in all 50 States
How to check ebtEDGE balance
ConnectEBT card balance
What you can buy with an EBT Card
How much in food stamps can I get?