Yes — Instacart accepts EBT/SNAP cards in all 50 states and Washington D.C. at participating grocery retailers. Instacart is one of the largest platforms for EBT online grocery delivery and pickup, partnering with thousands of stores nationwide. Your EBT card covers SNAP-eligible food items; delivery fees, service fees, and tips must be paid with a separate credit or debit card.
How EBT Works on Instacart
Instacart is a delivery platform — not a store itself. Whether EBT is accepted depends on the individual grocery retailer, not Instacart alone. Here’s how the system works:
- You shop at a participating EBT-enabled retailer on Instacart
- Your EBT balance covers SNAP-eligible food items only
- Delivery fees, service fees, taxes, bottle deposits, and tips must be paid with a linked credit or debit card — federal law prohibits using SNAP for any fees
- EBT Cash (TANF) is not accepted on Instacart — only SNAP food benefits
- Items marked with an “EBT” label in the app are SNAP-eligible; non-eligible items are clearly identified
Which Stores Accept EBT on Instacart?
Instacart partners with more than 10,000 stores nationwide, but EBT availability depends on each retailer’s SNAP authorization and your delivery area. Major confirmed EBT-accepting retailers on Instacart include:
National chains:
- ALDI
- Costco
- Publix
- Safeway / Albertsons / Vons / Jewel-Osco / Randalls / Shaw’s / Star Market / ACME / Pavilions (all Albertsons banner stores)
- Food Lion / Giant Food / Giant Co / Stop & Shop / Hannaford / Martin’s (all Ahold Delhaize banner stores)
- Meijer
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Family Dollar
Regional chains (varies by area):
- Brookshire’s / Super 1 Foods / Reasor’s
- C&K Market / Ray’s Food Place / Shop Smart
- And many additional local and regional grocers
How to check if EBT is available at your store:
- Open the Instacart app
- Browse the store selection in your area
- Look for the “EBT SNAP” label on the store’s tile
- Only stores with this label support EBT payment in your delivery zone
The list of participating stores continues to expand — if your store doesn’t show EBT today, check again after updating the app.
How to Add Your EBT Card to Instacart
On the app:
- Tap the Account icon
- Tap Settings
- Tap EBT SNAP under Payment Methods
- Enter your name and EBT card number
- Tap Save
On the website:
- Click the three horizontal lines in the upper left
- Click Your account settings
- Click Payment methods
- Click Add EBT SNAP card and enter your card details
Important: You must also have a credit or debit card linked to your account to cover fees and non-EBT items. Instacart will not process an EBT order without a backup payment method on file.
How to Shop With EBT on Instacart
- Open the Instacart app and select an EBT-enabled store
- Browse for items — turn on the “Show EBT SNAP eligibility” toggle in settings to see EBT labels on every item
- You can also filter your search to show only SNAP-eligible items
- Add items to your cart and choose delivery or pickup
- At checkout, select EBT SNAP as your payment method
- Choose how much of the order to pay with EBT vs. your backup card
- Enter your EBT PIN when prompted to complete the order
What You Can and Can’t Buy With EBT on Instacart
SNAP-eligible (EBT covers):
- Fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, and seafood
- Dairy — milk, cheese, eggs, yogurt
- Bread, cereals, and grains
- Snack foods and packaged goods
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Baby food and infant formula
- Seeds and plants that produce food
Not covered by EBT on Instacart:
- Delivery fees, service fees, and tips — must pay with credit/debit card
- Taxes and bottle deposits (where applicable)
- Alcohol
- Non-food items — cleaning supplies, paper goods, personal care
- Pet food
- Vitamins and supplements
- Hot prepared foods
For the full list of what SNAP covers, see the Food Stamp-eligible Foods.
Instacart+ Discount for EBT Cardholders
EBT cardholders who have placed at least one SNAP order on Instacart in the past six months can subscribe to Instacart+ at $4.99/month for the first year — 50% off the standard $9.99/month rate. Instacart+ includes:
- $0 delivery fees on orders of $35 or more
- Reduced service fees
- Access to exclusive deals at participating stores
- Up to four family members can share one membership
Standard $0 delivery fee orders require a minimum order of $35 (Costco requires $35 minimum; terms apply). Even without Instacart+, Instacart often waives the delivery fee on your first three qualifying orders as a new customer.
EBT on Instacart vs. Other Online SNAP Options
Instacart is one of several platforms and retailers that accept EBT for online grocery ordering. Here’s how it compares:
| Platform | EBT Accepted | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Instacart | Yes | At participating retailers; fees paid separately |
| Amazon Fresh | Yes | Direct from Amazon; requires Prime membership |
| Walmart Grocery | Yes | Direct from Walmart.com or app |
| DoorDash | Yes | At select grocery partners only |
| Target | Yes | At participating stores via Target app |
For the full guide on using your EBT card for online grocery shopping, see using EBT on Amazon and the complete grocery stores that take Food Stamp Card directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Instacart accept EBT or SNAP cards?
Yes — Instacart accepts EBT SNAP cards at participating retailers in all 50 states and D.C. EBT covers SNAP-eligible food items only. Delivery fees, service fees, and tips must be paid with a separate credit or debit card. EBT Cash (TANF) is not accepted on Instacart.
Which stores accept EBT on Instacart?
Major participating retailers include ALDI, Costco, Publix, Safeway and all Albertsons-banner stores, Food Lion and all Ahold Delhaize-banner stores, Meijer, Sprouts, and Family Dollar, among thousands of regional and local grocers. Open the Instacart app and look for the “EBT SNAP” label on any store to confirm availability in your area.
Do I have to pay delivery fees with my EBT card?
No — and you cannot. Federal law prohibits using SNAP benefits to pay for delivery fees, service fees, tips, or any non-food charges. You must have a credit or debit card linked to your Instacart account to cover these costs.
Can I use EBT Cash on Instacart?
No — Instacart only accepts SNAP food benefits (the food portion of your EBT card). EBT Cash benefits (TANF/cash assistance) are not accepted on the platform.
Does Instacart accept SUN Bucks (Summer EBT)?
Yes — Instacart accepts SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) alongside regular SNAP benefits at participating stores.
What if my local store doesn’t show EBT on Instacart?
Try updating your Instacart app to the latest version — EBT options sometimes appear after an update. If it still doesn’t show, the store may not yet be approved for EBT at your location. Instacart continues to add EBT-enabled stores regularly; check back in a few weeks.
Can I see which items are EBT-eligible before I add them to my cart?
Yes — go to Account Settings and turn on the “Show EBT SNAP eligibility by item” toggle. Items will display an “EBT” label under the price. You can also filter search results to show only SNAP-eligible items.
To check your SNAP eligibility or estimate your benefit amount, use the SNAP calculator. For a full list of online and in-store retailers that accept EBT, see the grocery stores that accept EBT Card guide.