Does Target Accept EBT Card for Food Items and Other Groceries?

Does Target Accept EBT Card? Are you in need of food assistance amid the lockdown and pandemic dilemma? more states and stores are allowing consumers to use their benefits when grocery shopping. You may want to know if you can use your EBT Card at Target. Read on to find out.

What you Should Know About Target 

Target is the second-largest discount retailer in the United States, behind Walmart. Target prides itself on providing a premier shopping experience, a variety of high-quality national and local brands, and affordable prices.

As of 2018, Target operated 1,822 locations throughout the United States. This includes their discount store Target, the hypermarket SuperTarget, and the flexible CityTarget.

Does Target Accept EBT Card?

The answer is yes, Target accepts the card in all their store across the United States. Target operates 1,683 stores in 48 states, including 239 SuperTarget stores.

So, the fact that Target accepts SNAP benefits only means that you can only buy the foods that are allowed under the program.

How to Use My EBT Card at Target?

If 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) at the time of purchase. 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 Target using your EBT card.

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

• Withdraw benefits from any QUEST® ATM throughout West Virginia or nationwide.
• Pay for purchases at the store.
• Get Cashback with a purchase at the store.

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• Indiana SNAP Benefits and Eligibility Criteria Needed to Apply for SNAP

Food Items Eligible With EBT Card

Selecting unapproved food items and trying to purchase them with your EBT card, will result in your transaction not been processed.

Here is a list of eligible EBT food items:

• Candy (Hershey’s, Snickers, Reese’s, etc.)
• Frozen food items (frozen meals, french fries, etc.)
• Soft Drinks (Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Arizona Tea, etc.)
• Bread, cereal, granola bars
• Dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese, etc.)
• Frozen, Fresh and Canned Fruits
• Fresh, Frozen, and Canned Vegetables
• Fresh and Frozen Seafood (fish, shellfish, etc.)
• Cooking Oils (olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, etc.)
• Seeds, Nuts, and Plants (cashews, nut variety packs, peanut butter, etc.)
• Poultry (chicken breast, chicken thighs, chicken drumsticks, turkey breast, etc.)
• Pork products (pork chops, pork tenderloin, bacon, pork sausage, etc.)
• Red Meat (steak, ground beef, ribs, etc.)
• Dessert Items (ice cream, brownies, cookies, etc.)
• Snack Crackers and Chips (potato chips, crackers, pretzels, etc.)

Here is a list of unapproved EBT food items:

You cannot use your EBT card to purchase protein powder, prepared food, or protein bars from Costco. More items that cannot be purchased at Costco using your EBT card include

• Vitamins
• Medicine
• Household products
• Cleaning supplies
• Alcohol
• Tobacco
• Prepared food
• Feminine products

What Can Happen

If your EBT card is used to buy items that are not on the eligible list and you are caught, your state’s food stamps agency will set up a hearing to determine whether or not you broke the law.

If they find that you used your EBT card to buy banned items, the penalties are very serious.

First, any money spent on banned items will need to be paid back and you can lose your benefits for:

• 3 months the first time
• 1 year the second time, and
• 2 years every time

FAQs

1. Can the government tell me what I bought with my EBT card?

The EBT system does not keep a record of what you buy.

2. Is my personal information in the EBT system kept private?

Yes. Information about clients in the EBT system is under the same privacy rules that govern the CalFresh Program and CalWORKs.

In conclusion, we highly recommend you contact your local Target to verify they still accept EBT Cards, as their status can change from time to time. If you decide to shop at Target Stores, you would first choose your groceries and go to the checkout lane.

Depending on how this store works, you may need to separate your eligible food items from the non-eligible items.