The surprising things you can buy with EBT at Walmart go far beyond basic groceries, bringing more value, variety, and convenience to many SNAP recipients.
As inflation continues to affect household budgets, knowing how to use your EBT card wisely at Walmart can make a significant difference. Today, Walmart empowers EBT users to shop smarter and make the most of their monthly profits.
1. What is EBT and How Does It Work at Walmart?
As food prices continue to rise, government assistance programs like SNAP have become practical solutions for millions of Americans. Using EBT at major retail chains like Walmart provides a convenient, modern, and more affordable shopping experience than ever before.
Understanding SNAP and EBT
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is a federal nutrition assistance program designed to help low-income individuals and families access healthy food. Eligible participants are provided with a benefits account, which they can access using an EBT card, a system that functions similarly to a debit card.
When shopping at stores that accept SNAP, users can pay for eligible food items using their EBT card.
The purchase amount is automatically deducted from their SNAP account, which is reloaded monthly by either federal or state agencies. The EBT system modernizes the transaction process, allowing for quick, safe, and cashless payments.
Understanding how SNAP works and how the EBT system operates empowers users to make the most of their benefits and gain access to essential products and services in everyday life.
>>> Read more: Food Stamps, SNAP vs EBT: What’s The Difference?
How does Walmart support SNAP benefits?
Walmart is one of the largest retail chains in the United States and a leading supporter of government benefit programs. To enhance the customer experience, Walmart has integrated EBT payments into both its physical stores and online shopping platforms.
One key service is Walmart Grocery, a dedicated platform for grocery shopping that allows users to place orders online and choose between pickup or delivery options. A few taps are all it takes to filter out SNAP-approved items, making your Walmart checkout faster and hassle-free.
Here’s how to use your EBT card on Walmart Grocery online:
- Visit the Walmart Grocery website or mobile app.
- Log into your account and start filling your cart with SNAP-qualified items in just a few minutes.
- Enter your EBT card information at checkout.
- Choose EBT as your payment method (only SNAP-eligible products).
- Settle any leftover amount using a credit card or your preferred alternative payment option.
By incorporating EBT functionality into both its retail and e-commerce systems, Walmart continues to be an ideal destination for SNAP users who want to shop smarter and more affordably. Whether you’re stocking up on essentials or discovering surprising things you can buy with EBT at Walmart, the process is simple, accessible, and built around your needs.
2. Surprising Things You Can Buy with EBT at Walmart
Mention EBT at Walmart, and most minds jump straight to everyday staples like milk or bread. However, Walmart supports a much broader list of EBT-eligible products, some of which may even surprise long-time SNAP users.
Whether you’re new to the program or already using SNAP on a regular basis, understanding these lesser-known options can help you spend smarter and fully maximize the benefits of the SNAP program.
Let’s take a closer look at some non-traditional and commonly misunderstood products you can buy with your EBT card at Walmart.
Non-traditional food items you didn’t expect
Many Walmart shoppers are surprised to learn that some items often considered “non-essential” or “specialty” are still eligible under SNAP when paid for using an EBT card. These include:
- Seeds and food-producing plants: According to USDA guidelines, you can use EBT to purchase seeds and starter plants for growing food at home, such as tomatoes, basil, and strawberry plants. This not only promotes a sustainable lifestyle but also helps families supplement their diets at a lower cost.
- Though easily missed, bottled water and even packaged ice, whether in bags or blocks, are fully covered by EBT at Walmart locations.
- Cold beverages: Products like iced coffee, smoothies, and sodas are covered if they carry a “Nutrition Facts” label (not “Supplement Facts”).
- Energy drinks: Beverages such as Monster or Red Bull may qualify for EBT, provided they have a “Nutrition Facts” label.
- Meal replacement shakes & protein bars/powders: If these products are labeled with nutrition facts, items like Ensure or high-protein snacks can be purchased using EBT.
- Infant formula and baby food: All nutrition products specifically made for infants, including baby formula and prepackaged meals, are fully supported under SNAP.
These non-traditional items allow families to enhance their dietary variety, support home-grown food, and access specialized nutrition, all through the convenience of EBT benefits.
Products people commonly mistake as not covered
Surprisingly, many items are often mistakenly believed to be ineligible for EBT, when in fact, the USDA approves them under certain conditions:
- Live seafood: Fresh shellfish such as lobster, crab, or clams are eligible for purchase with EBT, as long as they’re intended for home cooking.
- Bakery cakes & edible gift baskets: If at least 50% of the value comes from edible items, these can be purchased using EBT.
- Coffee pods, ground coffee, and tea: While ready-to-drink hot beverages aren’t eligible, home-brew options.
- Candy, snacks, and baking ingredients: Items like chocolate, sugar, flour, spices, and baking powder are all eligible for EBT.
This list demonstrates how broad and flexible SNAP rules can be. Understanding these details can help users make the most of their benefits without missing out on valuable products.
3. How to Track Your EBT Balance and Shop Smartly?
Effectively managing your SNAP benefits isn’t just about knowing what you can purchase; it’s also about tracking your available funds and planning your shopping strategy wisely and efficiently. No matter if you’re just starting out with EBT or have been using it for years, tracking your balance and leveraging the Walmart app can make every dollar go further.
How do you check your EBT balance?
Tracking your EBT balance is essential to avoid declined transactions and to plan your shopping effectively. Here are some quick and convenient ways to check your balance:
- Check your EBT receipt: Every time you use your EBT card at a SNAP-authorized store, your remaining balance is usually printed at the bottom of your receipt.
- Call the state’s EBT hotline: Most EBT cards have a toll-free customer service number printed on the back. You can call this number to hear your current balance and recent transaction history.
- Use your state’s online portal or app: For instance, California residents can log into their CalFresh account through the CalFresh login portal to check their balance, update personal information, or track spending.
- Sign up for SMS or email alerts: In many states, you can receive real-time notifications or low-balance alerts to help manage your funds more easily.
Checking your EBT balance regularly helps you avoid overspending, stick to your budget, and make the most of your SNAP benefits throughout the month.
Using the Walmart app or SNAP online with EBT
Shopping online with EBT is now more convenient than ever, especially through the Walmart application or their official website. Walmart has fully integrated SNAP EBT payments, allowing users to shop remotely and choose between pickup or delivery in eligible areas.
Here’s how to place an EBT order through the Walmart application:
- 1: Download and open the Walmart app on your phone or tablet.
- 2: Create or log into your Walmart account.
- 3: Navigate to the “Grocery” section and begin browsing SNAP-eligible products. Walmart makes this easy by labeling qualifying items with “EBT eligible” tags.
- 4: Add items to your cart as usual. You can also filter your search to show only SNAP-approved products.
- 5: Proceed to checkout and add your EBT card as a payment method.
- 6: Assign EBT funds to eligible items in your cart. Any non-SNAP items will need to be paid for using another method such as credit or debit card.
- 7: Choose either pickup or delivery and confirm your order.
Using the Walmart application not only saves time but also helps you avoid impulse purchases, plan your meals more efficiently, and stick to your SNAP budget with better accuracy.
4. How to Maximize Your EBT Benefits Beyond Groceries?
For individuals enrolled in the SNAP program, your benefits go beyond just free groceries. You also have the opportunity to access additional government assistance programs that can help improve your daily life. One of the most notable programs is the Lifeline Program.
Lifeline is a federal assistance program designed for low-income individuals. Its goal is to ensure that people in the United States can access affordable telecommunications services, helping to bridge the digital divide across the country.
If you’re already enrolled in SNAP, you’re automatically eligible for the Lifeline program; no additional paperwork is required.
Through Lifeline, here are the benefits you may receive:
- A monthly discount of up to $9.25 on phone or internet service bills.
- Access to free or heavily discounted devices like smartphones or tablets, along with bundled plans that may include free talk minutes, texts, and high-speed data, all provided by trusted Lifeline service providers.
- Continued access to essential connections for work, education, healthcare, and emergency communication without added costs.
You can apply for Lifeline completely online through the websites of trusted providers such as AirTalk Wireless. They allow you to select a Lifeline plan and a free device that fits your needs and preferences, all from the comfort of your home.
>>> Read more: Free Kids Tablet with EBT: How to Claim Your Free Phone & Tablet Today
Final Words
By understanding the surprising things you can buy with EBT at Walmart, you open the door to smarter, more diverse, and more valuable shopping experiences every month. Don’t let your SNAP benefits go underused, explore all the eligible options, and take full advantage of what Walmart has to offer.