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Does Costco Take EBT Card for Purchasing Food Item?

Costco sells a variety of items such as electronics, computers, furniture, outdoor living, appliances, jewelry, household items, and of course, food. Still, the big question is Does Costco Take EBT Card? The answer is not far-fetched.

Does Costco Take EBT Card

Costco is an American multinational corporation that operates 746 membership-only warehouse stores worldwide, making it the second-largest retailer in the world.

This brand is known for providing a wide variety of bulk grocery products at wholesale prices.

To calm your nerves, EBT Cards are accepted as a form of payment at Costco Wholesale warehouses, including Costco locations in California.

Does Costco Take EBT Card for Purchasing Food Item?

Costco does accept Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards at all of its warehouse establishments.

However, the certain items eligible for purchase may vary depending on your state’s regulations.

Meanwhile, it’s important to note that EBT cards cannot be used for online purchases at Costco.com or at the Costco food court.

The Pros and Cons of EBT Cards at Costco

Those who pass for EBT cards are on the fence about whether to use those cards or not.

If this sounds like you, it’s vital to consider these cards’ different pros and cons.

The Pros of EBT Cards at Costco

The biggest advantage is that you get free money each month to use for food. You will never have to repay this money.

Additionally, groceries you buy using an EBT card are tax-free. This implies that you can get that much food for your money every time you head to the store.

Having these benefits tied to a card means you don’t have to wait for vouchers or old-school food stamps to arrive in the mail.

Instead of worrying about postal delays, your money is reloaded each month.

Cons of EBT Cards at Costco

Arguably, the biggest drawback is that EBT cards are not accepted at all shops.

That’s the reason you’re reading this, after all: to determine whether you can use this card at Costco or not.

On top of these limitations, different states might restrict which type of food items you can and cannot use the card for on top of store limitations.

On a related note, most of us end up purchasing a mixture of grocery and non-grocery items when we go to the store.

If you’re operating an EBT card, this may require you to make two separate transactions so you can pay for food with EBT and everything else with cash, debit, or credit card.

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How to Use My EBT Card at Costco?

Does Costco Take EBT Card

Once you are eligible to receive your supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, you can purchase selected items at any of their available point-of-sale registers with your EBT card.

Once you swipe your card, you’ll be prompted to enter your 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN). The EBT card is used just like a normal debit card.

However, you have to be sure to only select eligible food items when redeeming SNAP benefits at Costco using your EBT card.

If you qualify for WV Works/Cash and Child Support Incentive benefits, you can use your card to:

1. Withdraw benefits from any QUEST ATM throughout West Virginia or nationwide.

2. Pay for purchases at the store.

3. Get cash back with a purchase at the store.

Furthermore, you have to check your current EBT card balance before redeeming your food stamp benefits at Costco.

This is to avoid your transaction not being processed.

You will have to pay an extra difference with another form of payment such as cash or credit card for those items if your balance isn’t enough.

The Limitations of Your EBT Card at Costco

Before you shop, however, there are some limitations you should be aware of before you start spending.

First, Costco will abide by any national or state limitations on what you can buy with the EBT card.

Items like vitamins, for example, are not eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits.

Second, you cannot use your EBT card to pay for meals at the Costco food court.

While this isn’t a major limitation, it can be frustrating, so it’s fine to be aware of this fact before you shop.

We highly advise that you call to verify that they do in fact accept EBT cards as a form of payment if you are to redeem your benefits.

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How About Transactions via Costco Online?

Does Costco Take EBT Card

One option that became very prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic is the ability to buy groceries online.

This permits shoppers in qualifying areas to browse and purchase groceries online ahead of time and then walk into Costco and pick everything up.

While this option is very convenient, it gets us to a natural question: can you use EBT cards to purchase groceries online with Costco?

Sadly, the answer to this query is “no.” While certain retailers allow this, Costco currently does not.

Remember to check with your local Costco or the USDA for any updates or modifications to the EBT program at Costco.

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