Does Sam’s Club Take EBT at Self-Checkout? (How to Use It)

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Sam’s Club is a convenient retail warehouse store. Many people consider it a fantastic place to shop for various home essentials, including food store varieties such as; seafood, dairy products, meat varieties, snacks, and breakfast cereals. You can also enjoy great prices on a wide range of groceries. But, ‘Does Sam’s Club Take EBT at Self Checkout?’

Yes, they do. Immediately after you swipe your card, it will alert you to the amount of money on your card. Then, swipe the card and enter your PIN code to deduct the amount from your EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card. You can also pay the remaining balance using a credit card, not cash. Usually, the self-checkout machine rejects cash, including SNAP cash.

Read on to learn more about how to checkout with the EBT, what you can buy at Sam’s Club with the EBT, and many more.

Does Sam's Club Take EBT at Self-Checkout?

Yes, EBT cards, SNAP, or food stamps are accepted at Sam’s Club and all their club locations. However, Sam’s Club is a member-only retailer that doesn’t take EBT payments for online purchases, including:

So, to order goods using an EBT card at Sam’s, you must visit their physical stores. Sam’s Club will only accept SNAP or EBT card payments for the orders you make in-store.

How Do You Checkout with EBT at Sam's Club?

Checking out with your EBT card at Sam’s Club is no different from how you utilize SNAP at any approved retail store. You only need to follow these quick steps:

  • Shop for all you need (approved and non-approved EBT goods).
  • Check out with all the items either through a cashier or using the self-checkout kiosk. (Have all the EBT items, both approved and non-approved, placed together).
  • Start by swiping your EBT card before you proceed with the personal debit or credit card.
  • All the EBT-approved goods get deducted automatically from your total.
  • To checkout with the remaining items, swipe the personal debit or credit card or any other accepted payment mode.

What Can I Buy At Sam's Club with EBT?

Today, you can use your EBT card to buy a wide range of items at Sam’s Club once you get approved for cash assistance. But most people who own SNAP cards are usually approved only for food assistance.

So, here are the items you can buy at Sam’s Club with SNAP or EBT food benefits. You can also check the USDA website for a full list of approved and non-approved EBT items.

The items to purchase at Sam’s with EBT include:

  • Boxed foods, including crackers, cereals, pasta, etc.
  • Canned food
  • Fresh produce
  • Dairy products
  • Eggs
  • Meat
  • Seafood
  • Snacks
  • Groceries that do not form a part of the hot prepared food
  • Non-alcoholic beverages
  • Plants or seed products that you can grow at home
What Can I Buy At Sam's Club With EBT?

What Other Payment Methods Does Sam's Club Accept?

The other payment forms that Sam’s Club accepts include the following:

  • Cash or checks, done only in the physical stores
  • Prepaid credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • Credit cards (American Express, Mastercard, Discover, Visa)
  • Sam’s Club credit
  • Walmart credit in the physical stores only
  • Walmart gift cards
  • Sam’s Club gift cards
  • Digital wallet VISA checkout (online)
  • Sam’s Club Credit Direct Accounts (online)

Can a Family Member Use Your EBT Card at Sam’s?

Yes, a close family member (spouse, children, parents) can use your EBT card at Sam’s, but only if you list the individual when filling out the SNAP benefits application form.

Note: this family policy could differ by state, so you want to check further about your specific state.

FAQs

Does Sam's Club take EBT near me?

Yes, Sam’s Club does take ‘EBT near me.’ They accept EBT cards, also known as SNAP, at all their Sam’s Club locations with the Scan & Go; however, not for any of the online purchases at SamsClub.com.

Does Sam’s Club take EBT on scan and go?

Yes, Sam’s Club does take EBT on scan and go. This is the retail store’s smartphone app, which you can download freely and begin using.

Scan and go allows you to walk around Sam’s store while scanning items and putting them in your cart. The app will tell you immediately if the scanned item can be bought with your EBT card. Once you’re done shopping, you can complete your purchase on the store’s app.

Can I pay with EBT at Sam’s Club online?

No, you cannot pay with EBT at Sam’s Club online. Instead, you must go to the actual physical store for your EBT purchases. Usually, Sam’s Club does not accept EBT as a payment mode for online orders, including online pickups and order deliveries. So, you must purchase the items using a personal debit, credit, or gift card.

What if you want online pickup or delivery services with your EBT?

If you want online pickups or delivery services with your EBT, you can use your SNAP for online purchases via Walmart, which owns Sam’s Club. Check here to find out which retailers are participating in the SNAP online purchase pilot in your state. The program enables EBT beneficiaries to use the card for online pickups and order deliveries at particular retailers. However, you cannot use the EBT card to pay for delivery fees via a delivery service.

Can I use someone else’s EBT card at Sam’s Club?

No, you cannot use someone else’s EBT card at Sam’s Club. To use your EBT or SNAP benefits at the retail store, you must pay the annual membership fee of $45.

Does Sam’s Club take WIC?

No, Sam’s Club does not take WIC (women, infants, and children). WIC is a federal supplemental program that offers food and nutrition education. Sam’s isn’t an approved WIC retailer, hence not authorized at their stores. Still, many grocery retail shops like Walmart, Target, and Safeway don’t accept WIC. You can learn more about WIC and the qualifying product list here.

Which Sam’s Club locations accept EBT?

 You can use EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) at all Sam’s retail shops in the US.

Conclusion - Does Sam's Club Take EBT at Self-Checkout?

Sam’s Club takes in EBT, SNAP cards, or food stamps at self-checkout. This means your EBT card is an authorized payment method at Sam’s during your self-checkout. They accept the card at all Sam’s locations, alongside the Scan & Go.

Since this is a membership-only retail store, you need to pay the recommended annual membership fee to shop in their physical store or online. This is the only way you can benefit from some of the other services offered to club members. However, they do not accept online checkouts with EBT.

You can make a split payment if you don’t have enough funds on your SNAP card. Furthermore, you can shop for both approved and non-approved goods at once. When you do this, the non-approved EBT goods will remain a pending balance once you swipe your EBT card at checkout. You can then pay for the pending balance using a credit card, not cash. The self-checkout machine usually rejects cash, including SNAP cash.

References:

Eric Baker

For over ten years, Eric has served as a manager, advisor, and marketer in the retail and consumer service sector. Moreover, he is the head writer and managing editor at thestoregeeks.com. Eric is a father of two and an avid shopping geek.

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