Yes, Costco accepts EBT. If you’re planning a Costco run and wondering whether your SNAP benefits will work there, the answer is yes — but there are several things you need to know before you walk through the door. This guide covers the membership question, exactly what you can and can’t buy, how to use your card at the register, whether online orders work, and how to stretch your benefits as far as possible at Costco.
Does Costco Accept EBT? (Quick Answer)
Costco accepts EBT cards for SNAP-eligible grocery purchases at all of its US warehouse locations. You swipe your card at checkout just like at any other grocery store, and the register automatically separates eligible from ineligible items.
That said, Costco.com does not accept EBT for online orders as of 2026, your annual membership fee cannot be paid with EBT, and hot prepared foods like the rotisserie chicken are excluded under federal SNAP rules. As long as you understand those three limitations, shopping with EBT at Costco is straightforward.
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Do You Need a Costco Membership to Use SNAP Card There?
This is the most important question to settle before you make the trip. Costco requires an active membership to enter its warehouses. There is no EBT exception, no government assistance waiver, and no free trial. You must either hold a membership yourself or enter as a guest with someone who does.
Here is how each situation plays out:
If you already have a Costco membership: You can shop normally and pay with your EBT card at any register. Your membership tier does not affect whether EBT works — both the Gold Star ($65/year) and Executive ($130/year) memberships are treated the same at the register.
If a family member or friend has a membership: Each Costco cardholder can bring up to two guests per visit at most locations. You can enter as their guest and still use your own EBT card to pay for your portion of the purchase. The member does not need to pay for your items — you can split the transaction at the register.
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If you do not have a membership and have no one to go with: Your main option is to purchase a membership. The Gold Star Membership costs $65/year as of 2026. This fee cannot be paid with your EBT card — you will need cash, a debit card, or a credit card to cover it. If you shop at Costco regularly and buy food staples in bulk, the annual savings on groceries can easily cover the membership cost several times over. That said, if Costco is not convenient for you or you can only shop occasionally, other stores on our grocery stores that take EBT list may serve you better without any membership barrier.
The gift card workaround: Costco allows anyone — members and non-members — to purchase Costco Shop Cards (gift cards) online at Costco.com without a membership. Non-members can also use Costco Shop Cards in-store. However, you still need to physically enter the warehouse, which requires being accompanied by a member. The gift card does not grant entry on its own. This workaround is mostly useful for paying for non-EBT items during a visit when you go as a guest.
One important note: in some states and certain Costco locations, pharmacy and optical services are accessible to non-members. But the main warehouse floor — where all the food is — requires membership or guest entry.
What Can You Buy with Food Stamps at Costco?
Federal SNAP rules govern what is and is not eligible — Costco does not set its own rules on this. Anything that qualifies under SNAP federally qualifies at Costco too. The register automatically identifies eligible items and charges them to your EBT balance.
Here is a detailed breakdown of what your SNAP EBT card covers at Costco:
Fresh Produce Costco sells fruits and vegetables in large bulk formats — bags of apples, multi-pound containers of spinach, large cases of strawberries, and similar. All fresh produce is EBT-eligible. The per-unit price at Costco on fresh produce is often lower than at traditional grocery stores, especially on items like berries, bananas, and potatoes.
Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Raw, uncooked meat is fully EBT-eligible at Costco. This includes bulk packages of chicken breasts, ground beef, pork loin, salmon fillets, shrimp, and other proteins. Costco’s meat section is one of its strongest value areas — large packages of boneless skinless chicken breasts and ground beef in particular offer some of the lowest per-pound prices of any major retailer. All of these are SNAP-eligible as long as they are raw and not hot/prepared.
Dairy and Eggs Milk, butter, shredded cheese, block cheese, sliced cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, sour cream, cream cheese, and eggs are all EBT-eligible. Costco sells these in bulk quantities, which lowers the cost per unit substantially. A large pack of eggs or a multi-pound block of cheese can stretch significantly further per dollar than buying smaller sizes at a regular store.
Bread, Grains, and Cereals Bread loaves, tortillas, pasta, rice, oatmeal, breakfast cereals, crackers, and similar grain products are all EBT-eligible. Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand pasta, rice, and oatmeal are typically among the most affordable options per pound available anywhere.
Canned and Packaged Foods Canned vegetables, canned beans, canned soups, canned fish, canned fruit, jarred sauces, and similar shelf-stable products are fully EBT-eligible. Costco sells many of these in multi-pack formats that offer a lower cost per can than grocery stores.
Frozen Foods Frozen vegetables, frozen fruit, frozen meat, frozen fish, frozen burritos, frozen pizza (uncooked), and similar items are EBT-eligible as long as they are not hot and ready-to-eat at the time of purchase. The frozen food section at Costco is extensive and covers a wide range of SNAP-eligible options.
Snack Foods Chips, pretzels, nuts, dried fruit, granola bars, popcorn, cookies, crackers, and similar snack items are EBT-eligible under SNAP rules. Costco sells these in large multi-packs, which lowers the per-serving cost significantly.
Non-Alcoholic Beverages Bottled water, juice, soda, sparkling water, sports drinks, coffee, tea, and other non-alcoholic beverages are EBT-eligible. Costco sells water and juice in bulk at competitive prices.
Baby Food and Infant Formula Baby food pouches, jarred baby food, and infant formula are all EBT-eligible at Costco. Costco’s Kirkland Signature formula has become a popular choice for SNAP households due to its lower price per ounce compared to name-brand alternatives.
Seeds and Food-Producing Plants Under federal SNAP rules, seeds and plants that produce food — such as vegetable seeds or herb plants — are EBT-eligible. Costco carries these seasonally in its garden section.
Cooking Oils, Condiments, and Baking Supplies Olive oil, vegetable oil, vinegar, soy sauce, cooking spray, flour, sugar, salt, spices, and similar pantry items are all EBT-eligible. Costco’s Kirkland olive oil and cooking oils in particular are well-known for offering high quality at a lower per-ounce cost than most grocery stores.
What You Cannot Buy with Food Stamps at Costco
Federal SNAP law prohibits using benefits for certain categories of items regardless of where you shop. Costco also has a few store-specific items that frequently cause confusion.
Alcohol Costco has a large and well-regarded liquor section in states where it is permitted to sell alcohol, including spirits, wine, and beer. None of this is EBT-eligible under any circumstances. This is a federal rule, not a Costco policy.
Hot Prepared Foods — Including the Rotisserie Chicken This is the most common point of confusion for EBT shoppers at Costco. SNAP rules prohibit using benefits for hot food that is ready to eat at the point of sale. Costco’s famous $4.99 rotisserie chicken qualifies as hot prepared food and is therefore not EBT-eligible, even though it is one of the best-known deals in retail.
The raw chicken in Costco’s refrigerated meat section, however, is fully EBT-eligible. If you want to buy chicken with your EBT card at Costco, buy it raw from the meat aisle — not from the hot deli area.
Food Court Items Everything sold at the Costco food court — hot dogs, pizza, chicken bakes, churros, soft drinks from the fountain — is hot prepared food and is not EBT-eligible.
Vitamins, Medicines, and Supplements Vitamins, dietary supplements, protein powders, herbal supplements, and over-the-counter medicines are not EBT-eligible even when purchased at a grocery store or warehouse club. Costco has a large health and supplement section, and none of it qualifies under SNAP.
Household Supplies Paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning products, laundry detergent, dish soap, trash bags, candles, and all non-food household supplies are not EBT-eligible.
Personal Care Products Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, deodorant, razors, feminine hygiene products, and similar personal care items are not covered by SNAP.
Pet Food and Pet Supplies Pet food, treats, and all pet supplies are excluded from SNAP regardless of where you buy them.
Tobacco and Cigarettes Tobacco products are not EBT-eligible.
Non-Food Clothing and General Merchandise Costco carries clothing, electronics, appliances, furniture, tires, and a wide range of general merchandise. None of this is EBT-eligible. Only food items that meet SNAP criteria qualify.
The Annual Membership Fee Your Costco Gold Star or Executive membership fee cannot be paid with your EBT card. This is a service fee, not a food purchase. You need a separate payment method for this — credit card, debit card, or cash.
Delivery Fees and Service Charges Even if Costco were to introduce EBT for online orders in the future, delivery fees and service charges are not covered by SNAP. Only the food items themselves would qualify.
How to Use Your EBT Card at Costco — Step by Step
Using EBT at Costco is not complicated, but knowing what to expect at the register helps you avoid any delays or confusion at checkout.
Step 1 — Shop as you normally would. Load your cart with SNAP-eligible food items. If you also plan to purchase non-EBT items like household supplies, cleaning products, or clothing, just keep them in the cart together. You do not need to separate them — the register handles that automatically.
Step 2 — Choose a staffed checkout lane. All cashier lanes at Costco accept EBT. Self-checkout availability for EBT varies by location. Some Costco self-checkout kiosks do accept EBT, but not all do. If you want to be safe, go to a staffed register. If you prefer self-checkout, look for the EBT option on the payment screen when you get there — if it does not appear, move to a staffed lane.
Step 3 — Tell the cashier you are paying with EBT. Let them know before they start scanning, especially if you have a mix of EBT-eligible and non-eligible items. The system will separate them automatically, but giving the cashier a heads-up helps the transaction go smoothly.
Step 4 — Swipe or insert your EBT card. When prompted, swipe or insert your EBT card in the card reader and enter your 4-digit PIN. Do not share your PIN with anyone, including store employees — no legitimate store will ask for it.
Step 5 — Review the split if you have non-EBT items. If your cart included both EBT-eligible and non-eligible items, the register will charge the eligible amount to your EBT balance and show you the remaining balance for the ineligible items. You then pay that remaining amount with a credit card, debit card, or Costco Shop Card.
Step 6 — Save your receipt. Your Costco receipt will show the total charged to your EBT balance, how much was paid through another payment method if applicable, and your remaining EBT balance. Keep it — it helps you track your spending and verify your balance.
A note on PIN issues: If your EBT PIN is not working or you have forgotten it, do not try repeatedly at the register — too many failed attempts can lock your card. Call your state’s EBT customer service line before you shop. You can find your state’s number in our EBT phone numbers for all states directory.
Does Costco Accept EBT Online?
No. As of 2026, Costco.com does not accept EBT as a payment method for online orders, home delivery, or any curbside pickup service. If you want to use your SNAP benefits at Costco, you must shop in person at a warehouse location.
This makes Costco different from several other major retailers that have adopted online EBT payment. Walmart, for example, accepts EBT for both pickup and delivery on Walmart.com. Amazon accepts SNAP EBT across Amazon.com and Amazon Fresh in all 50 states and Washington DC. Instacart accepts EBT at participating retailers including Aldi, Kroger, Publix, and others.
Costco has not publicly announced a timeline for adding online EBT support. Policies do change, so it is worth checking directly with Costco or monitoring USDA’s list of approved online SNAP retailers if this matters to you. For now, if online EBT grocery shopping is what you need, see our guide to grocery stores that take EBT for current online options.
Does Costco Accept EBT Cash (TANF)?
Yes. EBT Cash benefits — also called TANF cash assistance or cash benefits — can generally be used at Costco in a way that is more flexible than SNAP. While SNAP is restricted to food purchases, EBT Cash functions more like a debit card and can be used for a broader range of purchases, including non-food items in many cases.
That said, EBT Cash rules vary by state. Some states restrict what EBT Cash can be spent on even outside of SNAP rules. Contact your state agency or check your state’s EBT program documentation if you are unsure what your cash benefits cover. You can find your state’s contact number in our EBT phone numbers for all states directory.
Does Costco Accept WIC?
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) acceptance at Costco varies by state and by individual warehouse location. Some Costco locations are authorized WIC retailers — meaning they are approved by their state WIC agency to accept WIC benefits. Many are not.
WIC operates differently from SNAP. Instead of an open food benefit, WIC provides a specific approved food list that varies by state, and stores must be individually authorized. Before making a trip specifically for WIC purchases, call your local Costco warehouse or contact your state WIC office to confirm whether that location participates and which items are covered under your state’s WIC food package.
Tips for Getting the Most Value at Costco with EBT
Costco’s warehouse model genuinely favors bulk buyers on a tight food budget. Here is how to make your SNAP benefits stretch as far as possible there.
Focus on high-use staples. The best value at Costco for EBT shoppers comes from buying items you use every week in large quantities — eggs, chicken, ground beef, rice, pasta, canned beans, frozen vegetables, oats, and shredded cheese. These are all EBT-eligible, and Costco’s per-unit cost on all of them is consistently among the lowest available anywhere.
Buy the Kirkland Signature brand whenever possible. Costco’s house brand is almost always the lowest cost per ounce in any category it appears in. Kirkland Signature olive oil, canned salmon, baby formula, butter, shredded cheese, pasta, and frozen vegetables all offer exceptional value and are fully EBT-eligible.
Check the markdown section in the meat department. Most Costco warehouses have a refrigerated section near the meat department where close-to-date proteins are sold at a significant discount. Chicken, pork, and beef close to their sell-by date are marked down, sometimes by 30–50%. All raw meat is EBT-eligible. If you can freeze the item immediately after purchase, this is one of the best deals in the store.
Plan your trip around what you will actually use. Buying in bulk only saves money if you use everything before it goes bad. For non-perishables like canned goods, rice, and pasta, bulk buying is almost always a better deal. For fresh produce, only buy in bulk what you can realistically consume or freeze before it spoils.
Split the membership cost. If the $65 annual membership feels like a barrier, splitting it with a trusted family member or friend cuts the cost in half. The primary cardholder holds the account, and you can go together whenever you shop. Over the course of a year, the savings on food staples at Costco typically far exceed the membership cost for households that shop there regularly.
Know your balance before a big shopping trip. Costco runs can add up quickly given the large package sizes. Check your EBT balance before you go so you know your budget and can avoid any awkward moments at the register. If you need your state’s EBT balance hotline number, find it in our EBT phone numbers for all states directory.
Use a second payment method for non-EBT items. If you plan to buy both food and non-food items in the same Costco run, bring a debit or credit card for the non-EBT portion. The register handles the split automatically, but you need a second payment method ready for the ineligible balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use EBT at Costco without a membership?
No. Costco requires an active membership to enter the warehouse. There is no EBT-only exception. Your best option if you do not have a membership is to shop as a guest with a member — each Costco member can bring up to two guests per visit, and you can use your own EBT card to pay for your items independently during that visit.
Does Costco accept EBT for the $4.99 rotisserie chicken?
No. The hot, cooked rotisserie chicken is not EBT-eligible because SNAP rules prohibit using benefits for hot food that is ready to eat at the time of purchase. The raw chicken in the refrigerated meat section — which you cook yourself at home — is fully EBT-eligible and often available at a lower per-pound price than the prepared version.
Can I use EBT at Costco’s self-checkout?
It depends on the specific warehouse location. Many Costco self-checkout kiosks do support EBT payments, but not all of them do. If you get to the self-checkout screen and EBT is not listed as a payment option, simply move to a staffed cashier lane — all of them accept EBT without exception.
Can I pay for my Costco membership with EBT?
No. The annual membership fee is not a food purchase and cannot be paid with SNAP EBT or EBT Cash. You need to use a credit card, debit card, or cash to cover the membership cost.
Does Costco accept EBT at the food court?
No. The food court sells hot, prepared, ready-to-eat food, which is excluded from SNAP under federal rules. Hot dogs, pizza slices, chicken bakes, churros, and fountain drinks are all ineligible regardless of which store or venue you purchase them from.
Can I use EBT at Costco online or for delivery?
No. As of 2026, Costco.com does not accept EBT for online purchases or delivery orders. EBT can only be used in person at a Costco warehouse.
Can I use EBT Cash (TANF) at Costco?
Generally yes. EBT Cash benefits function more like a debit card and can be used for a broader range of purchases at Costco than SNAP alone. Rules vary by state, so confirm with your state agency what your cash benefits cover.
Does Costco accept WIC?
Some Costco locations are authorized WIC retailers; many are not. WIC acceptance varies by state and by individual warehouse. Call your local Costco or your state WIC office before making the trip specifically for WIC shopping.
Is there a limit to how much I can spend with EBT at Costco in one transaction?
There is no Costco-imposed spending limit for EBT transactions. The only limit is your available EBT balance. If your purchase exceeds your balance, you will need to pay the remaining amount with another form of payment.
What if my EBT card is declined at Costco?
First, make sure your card has sufficient balance for the eligible items in your transaction. If your balance should be sufficient and the card is still declining, it may be a PIN issue, a card issue, or a temporary system problem. Do not retry your PIN multiple times — repeated failed PIN entries can lock your card. Call your state’s EBT customer service line to resolve the issue. Find your state’s number at our EBT phone numbers for all states page.
Can I use EBT at the Costco gas station?
No. Fuel is not an EBT-eligible purchase under SNAP or EBT Cash rules in any state.
Does buying in bulk at Costco actually save money for EBT households?
For the right items, yes — often significantly. Staples like boneless skinless chicken breasts, ground beef, eggs, butter, shredded cheese, rice, pasta, canned beans, and frozen vegetables have a per-unit cost at Costco that is consistently lower than major grocery chains. The savings are most pronounced on proteins and dairy. For fresh produce, the math depends on whether you can use all of it before it spoils. Non-perishables and freezer items are almost always a better deal in bulk.
Bottom Line
Costco accepts EBT in-store at all US warehouses, and for households that shop there regularly, bulk buying can make SNAP benefits go considerably further than shopping at a traditional grocery store. The key limitations to keep in mind: you need a membership or must enter as someone’s guest, the membership fee cannot be paid with EBT, the rotisserie chicken and food court are excluded, and online orders do not accept EBT yet.
Your SNAP benefits exist to help you feed yourself and your family — use them where they go furthest. If you want to explore all your options, see our full guide to grocery stores that accept EBT, check out the surprising things you can buy with EBT that many people do not know about, or use our SNAP Eligibility Calculator to estimate how much you may qualify for.
For questions about your EBT card, call the SNAP hotline at 1-800-221-5689 or find your state’s direct EBT contact number at our EBT phone numbers for all states page.
Last updated: 2026 | Based on USDA Food and Nutrition Service guidelines. Costco membership fees and policies are subject to change — verify current details at your local Costco warehouse or at Costco.com.