Does Walgreens Take EBT? A Complete Shopper’s Guide

Knowing where you can use your EBT card is essential, especially at popular stores like Walgreens. Does Walgreens take EBT? While Walgreens does accept EBT at many locations, the rules and product eligibility can vary, which often leaves shoppers unsure of what’s allowed. 

We created this guide to clear up the confusion and walk you through everything you need to know, from what items you can buy, to whether you can use EBT online or in the drive-thru. If you use SNAP benefits, this guide will help you shop smarter at Walgreens.

1. Does Walgreens Accept EBT or Food Stamps? 

Walgreens is a well-known neighborhood pharmacy in the United States. Walgreens serves as a convenient and trusted destination for health, wellness, and everyday essentials. Beyond retail, Walgreens plays a key role in healthcare by providing prescription medications, vaccinations, specialty pharmaceuticals, and other health services. 

Walgreens accepts EBT, but only at select store locations. Not all locations are authorized retailers, and acceptance can vary by location.

EBT cards can generally be used at Walgreens to purchase SNAP-eligible food items such as bread, milk, and other packaged grocery staples. Walgreens is a pharmacy and convenience store, so its selection of eligible items may be limited compared to full grocery stores like Walmart. 

Does Walgreens take food stamps? While many Walgreens stores do take part in the program, it’s not guaranteed across all locations. Because of this, it’s a good idea to contact your local Walgreens directly to confirm whether they accept food stamps.

You can also check the USDA’s SNAP retailer locator online to verify if a specific Walgreens location is approved for SNAP purchases.

• Breads and cereals 
• Fruits and vegetables 
• Meat, poultry, and fish 
• Snacks 
• Non-alcoholic beverages (bottled water, juice, etc.) 
• Baby formula and baby food 

SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase non-food items or items that do not qualify under USDA guidelines. These include: 

• Household products (paper towels, toilet paper, etc.) 
• Personal care items (soap, etc.) 
• Vitamins, pain relievers, etc. 
• Alcohol and tobacco 
• Pet food and supplies 
• Gift cards or lottery tickets 

To avoid any confusion at checkout, it’s helpful to separate SNAP-eligible items from other purchases.

2. What Can You Buy with EBT at Walgreens? 

Getting familiar with what you can and can’t buy with EBT is an important part of managing your SNAP benefits effectively. While Walgreens does accept EBT at many of its stores, the range of eligible items may be more limited compared to full grocery stores. 

At Walgreens, EBT-eligible items typically include: 

• Dairy products (milk, etc.) 
• Breads and cereals 
• Fruits and vegetables 
• Meat, poultry, and fish 
• Snacks 
• Non-alcoholic beverages (bottled water, juice, etc.) 
• Baby formula and baby food 

SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase non-food items or items that do not qualify under USDA guidelines. These include: 

• Household products (paper towels, toilet paper, etc.) 
• Personal care items (soap, etc.) 
• Vitamins, pain relievers, etc. 
• Alcohol and tobacco 
• Pet food and supplies 
• Gift cards or lottery tickets 

To avoid any confusion at checkout, it’s helpful to separate SNAP-eligible items from other purchases.

You can buy many SNAP-eligible items at Walgreens. 

3. Does Walgreens Accept EBT Online or for Pickup? 

Walgreens does not currently accept SNAP EBT for direct online purchases on its own website or app, but you can use the EBT card when ordering through major platforms like Instacart. 

Walgreens has partnered with Instacart to provide same-day delivery of thousands of SNAP-eligible items from many of its stores nationwide. Customers can shop for eligible items and pay with their EBT card through the Instacart platform. 

In addition, a recent partnership with DoorDash allows SNAP recipients to shop from over 4,000 eligible products at participating Walgreens locations. This makes it easier for customers to use their SNAP benefits to conveniently order groceries and household essentials for delivery. 

4. Can You Get a Free Phone or Internet Discount with EBT? 

You’ve probably heard that receiving government assistance, like SNAP, can qualify you for free phones, tablets, or discounted internet service. But how do you actually get those benefits? 

We’ve been helping many people navigate ACP (discontinued) and Lifeline programs for a while now. So it’s safe to say we know details about getting a free device or internet discount with EBT.

Let’s check the process step-by-step using AirTalk Wireless:

Step 1: Visit the AirTalk Wireless website and enter your ZIP code on the homepage to check eligibility in your area. 

Step 2: Select a Lifeline Plan. You’ll see a list of available plans. AirTalk offers multiple Lifeline plans such as Standard, Plus, Premium, and Unlimited. These plans often come with a free or discounted device, unlimited talk and text, and a fixed amount of high-speed data (varies by state). 

If you already have a phone or tablet, you can choose a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) plan, which gives you extra data instead of a new device. 

Step 3: Choose a Free Device (Optional) 

Step 4: Upload Proof of Eligibility (Optional). You may be asked to upload documents showing your SNAP participation. Some states can verify eligibility automatically, so you may not need to upload anything. 

Step 5: Submit Your Application and Wait for Package in several days

>>> Read more: How To Get A Free Tablet With MediCal From The Government 2025

FAQs 

What forms of payment does Walgreens accept? 

Walgreens accepts a variety of payment methods, both in-store and online. In-store, you can pay with cash, check, debit cards, major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express), Walgreens Gift Cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and CareCredit.  

For online purchases at Walgreens.com, accepted payments include debit cards, credit cards, PayPal, PayPal Credit, and Walgreens Gift Cards (excluding prescription orders). 

Contactless payments, such as tap-to-pay cards and mobile wallets, are available at many store locations.  

EBT cards are accepted at select stores. Check with your local Walgreens for availability.  

Can I use EBT at Walgreens in every state? 

Walgreens accepts EBT, but only at select store locations. Not all locations are authorized retailers, and acceptance can vary by location.  Check with your local Walgreens for availability.  

Does Walgreens have self-checkout? 

Walgreens has self‑checkout kiosks in many stores, and staff are available to help. 

Does Walgreens take Apple Pay? 

In-store, you can pay with Apple Pay. 

Conclusion 

Many Walgreens locations across the United States accept EBT cards for the purchase of eligible food items. However, EBT acceptance can vary by location, so it’s always best to contact your local Walgreens to confirm their policy. Use this guide as a reliable reference to navigate in-store and online shopping with EBT at Walgreens and make your experience more efficient.