Does Costco Business Center Take EBT? Don’t Miss This Update

By AirTalk Team
4-minute read
In This Article

Does Costco Business Center take EBT? Costco Business Center is famous for selling many different items at reasonable prices. Being able to utilize Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards at Costco can be a big help for many families with low incomes.

Here is an ultimate guide on whether Costco Business Center takes EBT cards and what you may buy with them.

1. What are Costco Business Centers?

Many wonder, “Is there a difference between Costco and Costco Business Center?”

Generally, Costco Business Centers are made for businesses and restaurants. It means you cannot eat some of the best food court items before selecting a new mattress, as you can at Costco warehouses.

Even though the name says so, anyone with a Costco membership can still visit these places. That being said, the two places are very different from each other.

There are only 28 Costco Business Centers in the US compared to over 600 warehouse clubs. Moreover, Costco says that more than 70% of what it sells in Business Centers differs from what can be purchased at a warehouse.

Some of the most significant distinctions are that there are more bulk products in larger numbers and a greater variety. Instead of furniture and clothes, there are a lot of kitchen supplies and equipment.

Additionally, Costco Business Center doesn’t have items like pharmacies, optical offices, tire centers, and only several have food courts.

2. Does Costco Business Center Take EBT?

Fortunately, Costco Business Center takes SNAP EBT cards at Business Center locations. Visa® cards, cash, checks, Debit/ATM, and Costco Shop Cards are also acceptable.

However, you cannot use EBT cards as an online payment option for local Business Delivery. Currently, only Visa® cards, ACH or E-Check, and Costco Shop Cards are accepted.

For those who don’t know, ACH or E-Check is a way to send money electronically from one bank to another. Customers can give Costco Wholesale Corporation permission to take money out of their bank account via ACH or E-Check. Also, ACH/E-Check can be used to process credits.

Does Costco Business Center Take EBT
Costco Business Center accepts EBT payment – Image by Freepik

3. What Can You Buy at Costco with EBT Cards?

Under the USDA regulations, those who get SNAP benefits can use their EBT cards to buy the following items at Costco:

  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Meat, poultry, and fish
  • Dairy products
  • Cereals and breads
  • Other foods (including snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages)
  • Plants and seeds, which produce food for the household to eat

Nevertheless, you cannot buy these items with an EBT card at Costco or anywhere else:

  • Hot food
  • Pet food
  • Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered before pick-up from the store)
  • Food and drinks that contain controlled substances
  • Wine, beer, and liquor
  • Cigarettes and tobacco
  • Medicines, vitamins, and supplements
  • Household supplies
  • Cosmetics and hygiene products

>>> Read more: Can You Buy Junk Food With EBT in 2025? Rules by State

4. Can You Use EBT at Costco Online?

Does Costco Business Center take EBT? The answer is yes, but how about Costco warehouses? You can use EBT cards to buy SNAP-eligible items at all Costco stores as long as you are a Costco member.

Despite that, Costco does not take EBT payments for online orders or deliveries.

You can only use your card for in-person purchases, including orders made through Costco.com and Instacart (which has its own membership and service fees).

5. Tips to Save Money When Shopping with EBT at Costco

For good reason, Costco is among the biggest and most popular membership warehouse chains. Although famous for its groceries, it also provides great deals on electronics, gas, clothes, and more. Furthermore, it has one of the best return policies anywhere.

Even so, there are still helpful strategies to make the most of your SNAP benefits at Costco, such as:

  • Write down what you need and check your EBT balance before shopping.
  • Go to the back of the store since that is where Costco usually has the best sales.
  • Download the Costco app and check the current sales.
  • Buy in bulk to save money, but ensure you can securely freeze or store bulk items.
  • Go shopping with a friend to share the yearly membership expense and split up bulk items.
  • Know the price codes at Costco: If you know how Costco sets its prices, you can find the best offers.
  • Look out for sales that happen at certain times of the year
  • If you shop at Costco a lot, get an Executive membership that gives you 2% back on your purchases.

In addition to getting discounts for grocery purchases at Costco Business Center, owning an EBT card also helps you get discounted or even free phone and internet service.

Receive a free government phone with AirTalk Wireless

SNAP participants are automatically eligible for the Lifeline program, a federal initiative that helps low-income people and families get affordable communication.

Depending on your provider and region, you may be eligible for a discounted or free smartphone, tablet, or even a smartwatch.

For instance, if you have SNAP/EBT and sign up for AirTalk Wireless, you can receive a mobile device and other benefits like free international calling to over 200 areas, free talk and text, and generous internet data.

Conclusion

Does Costco Business Center take EBT? Fortunately, it takes EBT cards, which is a great way for low-income families to get more benefits. Costco Business Center helps SNAP participants get healthy food by offering various nutritious food items at low costs. Before you buy something, be sure it is SNAP-eligible, and use your EBT card properly to get the most out of your benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What forms of payment does Costco Business Center accept?

Costco Business Center takes various forms of payment at Business Center Locations, including: Cash, Visa card, Debit Card/ATM, EBT, etc.

What payments does Costco not accept?

Because Costco has an exclusive partnership with Visa, customers cannot use credit cards from American Express, Mastercard, or Discover at Costco stores.

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