Does Walgreens Accept EBT, WIC, and Food Stamps? (2023 Updated)

Publish date: 2024-06-19

Have you used EBT, WIC, or food stamps to buy groceries at any store? Many people have, and it makes a great difference in their daily lives.

Numerous local stores around the country accept EBT, WIC, and food stamps. Walgreens is one of the most popular stores in America, with approximately 9,051 stores across all 50 states. It also has stores in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S Virgins Islands.

You can find a store on nearly every street corner. With this many stores, does Walgreens accept EBT, WIC, and food stamps? You can’t help wondering if Walgreen uses these payment options, considering how convenient they are. So, let’s find out!

Contents

EBT, WIC, And Food Stamps Payments At Walgreens

The good news is that Walgreens accepts EBT cards, WIC, and food stamps. However, this only applies to some stores. It’s best to call your local store and ask first, or you could head over to your nearest location and ask a staff member.

Now that we now know that these three welfare-based payment forms are accepted. Let’s find out a little more about Walgreens…

Shopping At Walgreens

Walgreens is the second-largest pharmacy store chain in the U.S. It specializes in health and wellness products, filling prescriptions, grocery items, fresh foods, frozen foods, and beauty products. It even offers photo services. While we now know about Walgreens’ products and services, it’s useful to know how alternative methods of payment work.

So, let’s dig a little bit deeper to understand why these payment forms are popular.

Using EBT, WIC, and Food Stamps

SNAP, otherwise known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is a federal program used to help low-income families purchase food. This program gives low-income families a sense of belonging as they can afford the basics. It’s done through electronic benefits transfer (EBT).

`1` EBT Cards

An EBT card has a magnetic strip, making it a magnetically encoded payment card. EBT payments are processed every month, and on average, each payout is $125 per participant in a household. An estimated 97.3 million people live in poverty. These people benefit greatly from EBT and other programs.

`2` WIC

WIC

Although easy to confuse, EBT and WIC are not the same. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides breastfeeding support and referrals. It also provides food assistance.

The WIC program caters to pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum women. It extends its services to infants and children. Groceries that can be bought using a WIC card are chosen based on their nutritional value and USDA standards.

`3` Food Stamps

The Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has SNAP benefits. These are commonly known as food stamps. Just like an EBT card, food stamps are a safety net for low-income families. Fun fact: SNAP used to be known as the Food Stamp Program.

Does Walgreens Accept EBT, WIC, and Food Stamps? – The Restrictions

While these programs and cards have become a necessity for some families, there are some limitations too. You might be wondering if you can buy anything you want when using SNAP benefits and food stamps. Walgreens accepts these payments at most of its stores. What’s the deal with the few locations that don’t accept these payments? Here’s what I found out…

Shopping Limitations

Some products are not approved under any of these programs. So, you can’t buy products such as beer, liquor, wine, cigarettes, and supplements. EBT and WIC cards can’t be used to purchase pet food, household supplies, vitamins, and medicine. This applies to any store in the country.

Walgreens Stores that Accept EBT, WIC, and Stamps

Not all Walgreens stores because different states have different laws and regulations. You can also check online or by calling your local Walgreens regarding EBT accessibility.

You can access the online Walgreens store locator. On your left-hand corner, click on ‘Update Location,’ and choose either ‘Use my location’ or ‘Enter a location.’ Entering your zip code will help you check for nearby stores and if they accept these payment forms.

What Can I Buy Using These Payment Options?

What Can I Buy Using These Payment Options

Shoppers can use EBT, WIC, and food stamps to buy food for the household. This includes meat, poultry, dairy products, and snacks. Shoppers can also buy cereals, bread, seeds, and plants that produce food for the household.

Shoppers can add fruit and vegetables to their trollies when they pay using these cards too. Alternatively, you can buy dried and preserved prunes online. These help reduce cholesterol levels and help lower blood pressure.

How To Make A Walgreens Purchase

An EBT or WIC card is identical to a debit or credit card. After getting all your essentials at Walgreens, here’s how you complete your purchase when checking out your groceries.

Go to the check-out point.
Swipe your card using the POS device.
Fill in your 4-digit PIN.
Approve the purchase amount.
Receive a copy of the receipt.

It’s that simple, and your receipt will also show you your new food and cash balance that is left.

Other Stores That Accept EBT Cards, WIC, and Food stamps

Other than Walgreens, other retailers and stores allow customers to shop using EBT cards, WIC, and food stamps. There are instances where these cards can be used for online purchases. This depends on the retail store’s online shopping and delivery policies.

Groceries on Amazon accept EBT cards. It offers a broad selection of EBT-eligible food items. These are mostly non-perishables or have a long shelf life. Amazon Fresh offers a range of fresh food. There’s just one downside to this: you must schedule your EBT delivery within 1-2 hours of ordering perishable food.

Other stores that accept EBT include Kroger, Albertsons, and Shoprite.

WIC-approved stores…

Several stores are WIC- approved. Visit the WIC store locator and enter your state and street-level address. You’ll get a list of all the nearest stores that accept WIC.

Payment Methods In Other Stores

If you’re doing your weekly shopping, then find out Does Walgreens Take Apple Pay, our Does Kroger Accept Apple Pay, as well as our Does Home Depot Take Apple Pay, our Does Sams Club Accept Google Pay Samsung Pay, and for your online shopping, Does Amazon Accept Afterpay in 2023.

Do you use the electronic benefits transfer program? Then you’ll want to know Does Starbucks Take EBT for your morning coffee, or perhaps, Does Target Take EBT, Does Whole Foods Take EBT, and Does Trader Joes Takes EBT Card for your family grocery run.

Or why not apply for a job at Walgreens using our Walgreens Application, along with the most common Walgreens Interview Questions and Walgreens Customer Service Associate Interview Questions to help you be fully prepared. If you have a criminal record, please make sure to read up on Does Walgreens Run Background Checks before applying.

Does Walgreens Accept EBT, WIC, and Food Stamps? – Final Thoughts

Walgreens accepts EBT, WIC, and food stamps at its stores. However, not all shops accept these forms of payments due to state laws.

You can check at your nearest store, call, or check online to see if you’re eligible to use an EBT card. There are restrictions on what can be bought. Walgreens is primarily a drugstore, so they might not have some products that can be purchased when using EBT. In that case, keep an eye out for other merchant stores that do.

Walgreens and other EBT, and WIC eligible stores are playing an inclusive and highly valuable role in their communities while building clientele.

Good luck, and enjoy your essential shopping at Walgreens!

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