EBT cash benefits — the TANF balance on your EBT card — can be used online, but your options are more limited than SNAP and depend heavily on your state.
The biggest difference: SNAP food benefits work at dozens of online grocery retailers nationwide. EBT cash online acceptance is still expanding and is only available at a handful of retailers, with Amazon being the most significant.
Here’s the quick summary before diving into detail:
- Amazon — accepts EBT cash for most items in 23 states
- Walmart — accepts EBT cash online in select states for groceries and non-food items
- Major grocery delivery services — generally accept SNAP but EBT cash acceptance varies widely
- PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, bill pay sites — not accepted; EBT cash requires PIN entry and doesn’t work as a standard credit/debit number
Not sure what balance you have? Check your EBT card balance before shopping — your food and cash balances show up separately. See how to check your SNAP and EBT cash balance.
For a complete overview of how EBT cash works, what it covers, and where you can spend it in-store and online, see the complete EBT cash guide.
Amazon: The Largest Online Option for EBT Cash
Amazon accepts EBT cash (TANF) in 23 states and Washington D.C. — making it the most widely available online option for spending your cash benefits.
What you can buy with Cash EBT on Amazon: Most product categories are eligible — clothing, household goods, personal care, electronics, baby items, cleaning supplies, books, toys, and more. EBT cash on Amazon also covers delivery fees, bag fees, and gift boxing, which SNAP does not.
What you cannot buy: Cash EBT is not accepted on Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods Market orders. For groceries on Amazon, you’d use your SNAP balance, not your cash balance.
States where Amazon accepts Cash EBT: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, Washington D.C., West Virginia.
Note: Delivery restrictions apply for New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island.
How to set it up: Go to amazon.com/ebt, add your EBT card, and select “Cash EBT” at checkout. You can only register one EBT card at a time per Amazon account.
This is probably the single most useful online option for EBT cash — it opens up a wide range of non-food purchases that your SNAP balance can’t cover. For a full setup guide including SNAP food purchases on Amazon, see how to use EBT on Amazon.
Walmart: EBT Cash in Select States
Walmart accepts EBT cash for online orders in states that have authorized online cash benefit spending.
Unlike Amazon, Walmart’s EBT cash acceptance online is more focused on grocery and household purchases rather than general merchandise. In eligible states, you can use your EBT cash balance to pay for groceries, household essentials, and some non-food items through Walmart.com.
Delivery fees are not covered by EBT cash at Walmart — you’ll need a second payment method for those charges.
State availability varies. If you’re in a state where your cash benefits aren’t set up for online use, the EBT cash option may not appear at checkout. Check Walmart’s payment options page or contact your state’s EBT program to confirm whether online cash benefits are enabled for your state.
For a broader overview of which grocery chains accept EBT in-store and online, see grocery stores that accept EBT.
Online Grocery Delivery: Mostly SNAP, Limited EBT Cash
The major grocery delivery platforms — Instacart, Amazon Fresh, Walmart Grocery Pickup — have broadly expanded SNAP EBT acceptance online. EBT cash acceptance on these platforms is far more limited and uneven.
Instacart: Accepts SNAP EBT at many retailers. EBT cash acceptance through Instacart is limited and state-dependent — check the checkout screen to see which balance options are offered in your area.
Amazon Fresh / Whole Foods: Accept SNAP EBT only. Cash EBT is not accepted on these platforms even in states where Amazon.com accepts cash EBT.
Grocery store websites (Albertsons, Vons, Safeway, Kroger, Acme, United Supermarkets): Some of these accept EBT cash for online orders depending on your state’s authorization. Acceptance is spotty — check each store’s payment options page or call the store before assuming.
The practical takeaway: For online grocery delivery, your SNAP balance will give you more options than your cash balance. Use your cash balance for non-grocery purchases on Amazon (in eligible states) or spend it in-store. To find authorized SNAP retailers near you, use the SNAP retailer locator.
What EBT Cash Cannot Do Online
Several things people often try that don’t work:
PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle — EBT cash cannot be transferred to P2P payment apps. The EBT system requires PIN entry at point of sale and cannot be entered as a standard card number.
Apple Pay and digital wallets — EBT cash cannot currently be added to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or other digital wallets for online use. The EBT network is PIN-based and not compatible with these systems. See can you add EBT to Apple Pay? for the current status.
Direct bill payment websites — You generally cannot pay rent, utilities, or phone bills directly with your EBT card number online. EBT cash doesn’t function as a bank account number or standard card number for online bill payment systems.
Gift cards on Amazon — Amazon does not allow EBT (SNAP or cash) to purchase gift cards or prepaid cards. This is a hard restriction on the platform.
Online casinos, gambling sites — Federal law prohibits using TANF cash at gambling establishments. Attempts to use it at online gambling sites would be declined and could flag your account.
If you need to pay a bill with your cash benefits, the practical approach is to withdraw cash from an ATM or get cashback at a store register, then use that cash to pay the bill.
What EBT Cash Can Buy Online (Where Accepted)
On platforms like Amazon that accept EBT cash, your cash balance works like a debit card for most purchases. Common eligible categories include:
Household necessities: Cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, paper products, storage containers.
Personal care: Shampoo, soap, toothpaste, diapers, feminine hygiene products — items your SNAP balance can’t cover.
Clothing and shoes: Amazon carries a large clothing selection that EBT cash can cover in eligible states.
Baby and children’s items: Formula (which SNAP also covers), but also diapers, wipes, clothing, toys.
Electronics and accessories: Phone chargers, earbuds, small appliances — items completely outside what SNAP allows.
Delivery fees and service charges: Unlike SNAP, EBT cash at Amazon covers the delivery fee on your order.
This flexibility is the main advantage of EBT cash over SNAP for online shopping — you’re not limited to food. For a full breakdown of what your SNAP balance covers (and doesn’t), see the complete SNAP eligible foods list.
Using EBT Cash Online: Step by Step at Amazon
- Go to amazon.com/ebt and sign in to your Amazon account (or create one).
- Add your EBT card using your card number and PIN. Amazon verifies your card with your state’s EBT system.
- Shop normally. Add items to your cart.
- At checkout, select “Cash EBT” as your payment method. The option only appears if your state is eligible and your card has a cash balance.
- Enter your PIN when prompted. Amazon uses secure, government-approved PIN entry.
- Add a second payment method if your order total exceeds your cash balance — Amazon will charge the remaining amount to the backup card.
If “Cash EBT” doesn’t appear at checkout, either your state isn’t in the eligible list or your card doesn’t have a cash balance. Check your balance first: how to check your EBT cash balance.
Tips for Shopping with EBT Cash Online
Check your balance before shopping. Unlike in-store purchases where the register tells you your remaining balance immediately, overspending online can cause a declined transaction partway through checkout. Know your balance going in.
Keep a backup payment method on file. Most online retailers require a second payment method when EBT cash is selected. Have a debit card or credit card ready.
Use it for non-food purchases. Your SNAP balance covers food at many more online retailers than your cash balance does. For groceries, SNAP is more useful online. Reserve your cash balance for household goods, clothing, and personal care items that SNAP can’t cover.
Watch for state updates. Online EBT cash acceptance is still expanding. States authorize new online retailers periodically. Check your state’s EBT program page or call the number on the back of your card — EBT customer service numbers for all 50 states — for the most current list.
Protect your PIN. The same security rules apply online as in-store. Amazon uses encrypted PIN entry — never share your PIN with anyone, and only enter it on the official checkout page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my EBT cash balance on Amazon for non-food items?
Yes — if your state is eligible, Amazon’s Cash EBT option covers most product categories including clothing, household goods, personal care, electronics, and baby items. It also covers delivery fees, which SNAP does not.
The 23 eligible states are: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. Visit amazon.com/ebt to add your card and check eligibility.
Why can’t I see the Cash EBT option at Amazon checkout?
Two reasons: either your state isn’t in Amazon’s eligible list, or your EBT card doesn’t have a cash balance. Check your balance to confirm which balances are loaded on your card. If your state is eligible and you have a cash balance but the option still doesn’t appear, try re-adding your EBT card at amazon.com/ebt or contact Amazon customer service at 1-888-280-4331.
Can I use EBT cash to pay bills online?
Not directly. EBT cash cannot be entered as a card number on bill payment websites because it requires PIN entry at point of sale. The workaround is to withdraw your cash at an ATM and use that cash to pay bills in person or by money order.
Does Target accept EBT cash online?
No. As of 2026, Target accepts SNAP EBT for food purchases online but does not accept EBT cash. This is a common point of confusion — check Target’s payment options page for any updates.
Can I use EBT cash on Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods?
No. Even in states where Amazon.com accepts Cash EBT, Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market on Amazon do not accept EBT cash. They accept SNAP EBT for eligible food items only. For more on using EBT at Whole Foods, see does Whole Foods accept EBT?
Can I add EBT cash to Apple Pay or a digital wallet?
No — not currently. EBT cash requires PIN entry at an authorized terminal and cannot be loaded into Apple Pay, Google Pay, or similar digital wallets. See can you add EBT to Apple Pay? for the latest on this topic.
What’s the difference between EBT cash and SNAP EBT online?
SNAP (food benefits) works at dozens of authorized online grocery retailers — Amazon Fresh, Walmart Grocery, Kroger, Instacart partners, and more — in most states. EBT cash is only accepted online at Amazon.com (in 23 states) and Walmart (in select states). SNAP is more widely accepted online; cash is more flexible in what you can buy. See what is EBT cash? for a full explanation of how the two balances differ.
Source: Amazon EBT Help page (amazon.com/ebt), USDA TANF program guidelines, state EBT agency rules. Amazon’s Cash EBT state list is accurate as of 2026 — verify at amazon.com/ebt as eligibility expands. State rules vary; contact your state’s EBT program for the most current list of approved online merchants.