Millions of Americans rely on Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to meet their families’ food and nutrition needs each month. EBT cards are accepted by grocery stores and other retail stores across the country.
If you’re wondering if Starbucks accepts EBT cards, how to find Starbucks locations where EBT cards are accepted, and more, here are the answers.
Does Starbucks take EBT?
Officially, Starbuck’s policy is not to accept EBT cards at company-owned stores. However, many Starbucks-licensed stores and kiosks are located in grocery stores and retail stores with grocery sections. These Starbucks locations can accept EBT cards. There will still be restrictions on items that can be purchased with an EBT card.
If you have more questions about using EBT cards at Starbucks, which Starbucks locations accept EBT cards, what other stores accept EBT cards, etc., read on for the answers.
Can you use EBT cards at Starbucks?
Starbucks’ official policy is not to accept EBT cards at company-owned stores. However, Starbucks-licensed stores located in grocery stores and retail stores like Target can accept EBT cards.
Starbucks-licensed stores in places like Marriott hotels can also accept EBT cards.
Whether a Starbucks-licensed store accepts EBT cards depends on the location and its policy.
Since this policy is so variable, we recommend calling ahead to make sure the Starbucks store you intend to visit accepts EBT cards.
What items can you buy with an EBT card at Starbucks?
Even at Starbucks locations where you can use EBT cards, there are restrictions on what items you can purchase with an EBT card.
Like at grocery stores, EBT cards cannot be used to purchase hot food or drinks at Starbucks.
So you can buy iced coffee or other cold drinks at Starbucks with an EBT card, but not hot coffee or hot food.
Sandwiches and candy, soft drinks, energy drinks and snacks are EBT-eligible items at Starbucks-licensed stores.
In general, anything with a nutrition label is eligible for EBT, with the exception of hot foods and drinks.
What items can you purchase with EBT cards?
There are restrictions on the items you can purchase with EBT cards. EBT cards can only be used to pay for food items intended for household consumption.
Additionally, EBT cards cannot be used to purchase hot food or drinks intended for consumption away from home.
This means that deli items and hot prepared meals are generally not eligible for EBT card purchases.
Non-food items such as cleaning products and cosmetics, alcohol, tobacco, vitamins and medications are also not eligible for purchase with EBT cards.
The USDA has a list of eligible items you can purchase with EBT cards. These include food products intended for household use, such as those listed below:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry and fish
- Dairy products
- Bread and cereals
- Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks
- Seeds and plants, which will be used to grow food for the household
EBT cards cannot be used to purchase non-food items or hot food and drinks. The list of ineligible items includes:
- Beer, wine, alcohol, cigarettes or tobacco
- Vitamins, medications and supplements – items with a Supplement Facts label are generally considered supplements and are not eligible
- Live animals (except shellfish, fish taken out of water and animals slaughtered before collection from the store).
- Hot food and drinks at point of sale
- All non-food items such as pet food, cleaning products, paper products, hygiene items, cosmetics and other household supplies
What other stores accept EBT cards?
Starbucks is considered a luxury brand, so EBT purchases don’t cover it. EBT cards are intended to be used to provide food and nutrition to families.
Many grocery stores and retail stores with grocery sections, like Target and Walmart, accept EBT cards.
The USDA has an online retailer locator that you can use to search by address, city, state, or zip code for locations that accept EBT cards.
Is It Possible To Use An EBT Card To Buy Online?
Recently, it has also become possible to use EBT cards to order groceries online. Instacart, the online grocery delivery service, has started accepting EBT cards.
Instacart serves major retail chains like Aldi, Publix, Walgreens, etc. Food delivery services like Door Dash and Grub Hub do not accept EBT cards.
How do I get an EBT card?
EBT cards are part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. SNAP is administered by the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The purpose of SNAP is to provide food assistance to vulnerable families. SNAP is a federal government program but is administered by the states.
SNAP was previously called food stamps. Those who qualify for SNAP benefits receive an EBT card and a PIN to use with the card.
How to use an EBT card
The EBT card is linked to a bank account into which the amount of benefits due is deposited each month. The cardholder can create an online account to track spending and the amount remaining in the account.
At the grocery store or online checkout, you can use the EBT card like a debit card.
The printed receipt you receive at checkout will show the amount paid. It will also show the amount remaining in your account for the month.
If an EBT cardholder is unable to shop for themselves due to ill health, disability or any other reason, they may designate someone else as their authorized representative to shop for them. shopping for him.
To learn more about Starbucks’ payment methods and EBT, you can also check out our articles on whether or not Starbucks takes Apple Pay, whether McDonald’s takes EBT, and whether Target takes EBT.
Conclusion
Officially, Starbucks does not accept EBT cards at its company-owned stores. However, Starbucks-licensed stores and kiosks located in grocery and retail stores like Target and Walmart can accept EBT cards, with some restrictions. There are a number of other grocery stores that accept EBT cards for essential food purchases.
Visit Les Gourmandises for more information.
