How to pay with EBT on Walmart online

Does Walmart accept EBT online? If you’re asking yourself that question, we’re here to help you and your family use your EBT funds on what you need.

EBT stands for “electronic benefits transfer.” It’s a system through which state welfare organizations can quickly send you your benefit payments and enables you to use them more efficiently. 

In this article, we’ll discuss what EBT benefits are and how you can use these funds online at Walmart.com and other retailers. 

Contents:

What are EBT benefits? 

EBT, or “electronic benefits transfer,” is a method through which state welfare organizations can issue benefit payments to a recipient’s payment card. 

These EBT systems vary from state to state, however, it’s essentially an electronic transfer of welfare benefits to a debit card. It intends to provide recipients a quick, convenient option to use benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and cash assistance payments.

SNAP EBT is used in all 50 states, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that EBT has been the sole method of SNAP issuance in all 50 states since 2004.

EBT Benefits 101

As previously mentioned, Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is the system that sends payments to participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the various cash benefits programs. These funds are intended to help individuals and families pay for food or other items using their benefit funds, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

The SNAP program, formerly known as food stamps, helps low income families and individuals pay for food. TANF helps pay for food, housing, energy costs, child care, and job training. Other cash benefit programs cover other expenses.

An EBT payment is sent directly to a participant’s payment card, which is similar to a credit or debit card. Once funds are added to a recipient’s balance, that person can use the card at approved stores to buy food or other products.

Does Walmart accept EBT online?

So, does Walmart accept EBT cash online? The short answer is yes. Walmart accepts both EBT Food and EBT Cash for online transactions in 44 U.S. states.

The only states in which you cannot use your EBT benefits at Walmart’s online store are Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii, Louisiana, Manie, and Montana. Residents in Arkansas, Alaska, Louisiana, Maine, and Montana may use their EBT benefits card in-store at checkout. Hawaii does not have any Walmart stores on its islands. 

Adding an EBT card to your Walmart account

Walmart says that if your local store accepts EBT online, you’ll see an option to add your EBT card to your account. If you need to create a Walmart Grocery account, click here. 

After you’ve created an account, simply log into your account and click on “Select Payment Methods.” Once there, add in your EBT card information, then click “Save Card.” When you connect your EBT card to your account, you’ll be able to use EBT Online with no-basket minimums. Walmart says it may take up to 24 hours for the no-basket minimum to take effect on your account.

Here’s a helpful page from Walmart for more specific information on using your EBT card.

For more detail on how to add your EBT card to your account, check out this screenshot from Walmart below.

EBT Benefits at Walmart online

Once you’ve added your payment information you can start adding items to your online shopping cart. As you’re shopping, you can view your cart and see the total for EBT-eligible items.  

After reviewing your items, select Checkout to proceed. From there, you’ll select the checkbox to pay with EBT, enter the amount you’d like to use, and hit continue. If your EBT funds don’t cover the entire order, Walmart says you can divvy up the remaining amount with a personal debit or credit card.  

After selecting Continue, you will be directed to an external page to enter your EBT benefits PIN. After you input your PIN, you’ll be moved back to Walmart to finish up the order.

SNAP at Walmart or other retailers

If you plan to use your SNAP benefits at Walmart, you can buy a wide variety of food products with your EBT card. 

Approved food items include fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, bread, cereals, snack foods, and non-alcoholic beverages as well as seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Things you cannot use your SNAP benefits for beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, supplements, live animals, hot foods, pet food, cleaning supplies, and cosmetics. 

To apply to receive SNAP benefits, check out this nationwide directory to find your state’s application. You can also find SNAP-authorized retailers and grocery stores by clicking on this search tool.

TANF Basics

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is a federally funded, state-run benefits program that helps families during emergencies. It aims to help these families achieve independence after experiencing temporary difficulties such as an injury, the death of a family member, or other disasters. 

The TANF program goes by different names in different states and the benefits can vary, too. Typically, TANF helps recipients pay for such things as food, housing, home energy, child care, and job training.

To learn more about TANF and its benefits, check out this page from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to learn more about the TANF program and its benefits for families. Click here if you’d like to apply to receive TANF benefits. 

I Lost My EBT Benefits Card

Check out this guide from the U.S. Department of Agriculture if your EBT benefits card was damaged, lost, or stolen. The guide offers a state-by-state list of phone numbers to call and websites to seek out if your card is damaged, lost, or stolen. 

Where can I pay with EBT online?

Can you pay with EBT online at Walmart in Louisiana?