Do you have an EBT card? Do you shop at Target?
If so, this article will go over what you need to know to shop at Target using your EBT card.
Target is a retail store that offers clothing, furniture, and other household items.
It also sells groceries in most of its stores.
All Target locations accept EBT cards.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) allows individuals to receive government assistance for food.
The benefits are provided on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.
These are formerly known as food stamps.
The state General Assistance (GA) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs offer cash benefits to pay for other living expenses, such as clothing, toiletries, and transportation.
You can only use SNAP benefits to buy qualifying foods, while GA and TANF are cash benefits that can pay for other household expenses.
You cannot use EBT cards to purchase some items, such as alcohol and cigarettes, and each state has its own rules.
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Does Target Accept EBT Cards?
Target accepts EBT cards at its stores nationwide.
Target allows shoppers to purchase items using their SNAP or other government-issued programs.
These programs include WIC, food stamps, and other state-sponsored assistance for low-income individuals.
However, you can only use an EBT card at Target physical stores and not through the website or the app.
Overview: Does Target Accept EBT Cards?
Target accepts EBT cards at all its over 1,900 stores.
EBT cards are issued to people who are receiving federal or state benefits.
You can use the cards to buy food and non-food items allowed under the federal or state program guidelines.
Does Target Self Checkout Take EBT?
Yes, you can use an EBT card at the Target Self Checkout.
When you’re ready to pay, swipe the EBT card and enter your PIN as you would with any other debit card.
The card will automatically deduct eligible purchases.
There will still be a balance for non-eligible items, which can be paid in cash or with a debit card.
Does Target Online Take EBT?
Unfortunately, no.
The Target website does not accept EBT cards for online orders.
The only payment methods accepted on the website and app are debit or credit cards and Paypal.
Can You Use EBT on the Target App?
No. The Target app does not accept EBT cards for payment.
Accepted payment methods on the app are debit and credit cards or Paypal.
You can only use EBT cards for in-person purchases.
You can use the Target website or app to purchase items for pickup or delivery if you are paying with any method other than an EBT card.
Does the Starbucks in Target Accept EBT?
Starbucks inside Target stores can take EBT cards.
This is because Target Starbucks is a Licensed Store Location, and it takes the same payment methods as the Target store.
Starbucks corporate stores and licensed stores are different, so you can’t use EBT to pay for anything at corporate stores.
Target’s EBT Policy
The Target EBT Policy allows people who receive food assistance to spend their money at Target stores.
Target accepts EBT cards along with other payment methods.
You can use credit, debit, and EBT cards to pay for things.
Target lets you use all three of them in one transaction.
This makes it easy to pay because you won’t have to separate eligible and non-eligible items to pay for them.
For example, when you want to buy food and other items, like clothes or toiletries, you can swipe your EBT card to pay with SNAP benefits.
Then, you can pay the balance for non-food items using EBT card cash benefits or by swiping a different credit card.
This will allow for all your purchases to be on one receipt, which makes it easy if you have to return something.
Target store purchases made with an EBT card can be returned or exchanged within 90 days.
They will give you a refund in a credit to your EBT card, a gift card, or an exchange for a similar item.
Other Payment Types Target Accepts
Target accepts the following forms of payment:
- Cash
- Personal checks
- Debit/ATM cards
- Credit cards
- Target RedCard™ (Target Debit Card, Target Credit Card, Target Mastercard™)
- Target gift cards
- Gift cards with a Visa®, Mastercard®, Discover®, or American Express® logo
- Gift certificates
Some Target locations can accept WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program benefit cards as payment.
Call the store before visiting to confirm if they can take this form of payment at that location.
What Can You Buy With EBT at Target?
Depending on the type of EBT benefits you receive, you may use your card to purchase only qualifying foods, or you may also buy other household items.
Eligible Food Items
You can use your EBT card to purchase items like:
- Foods like bread and cereals, fruits and vegetables, meats, fish, and poultry.
- Dairy products, such as milk and cheese.
- Prepared hot foods from the grocery store deli.
- Snack foods and non-alcoholic drinks.
Other Things You Can Buy with EBT at Target
In addition to bread, cereal, poultry, and meat, you can use your EBT SNAP benefits to purchase seeds and plants to grow your own produce.
It is a wonderful benefit if you have space for a garden in the backyard or for containers on your porch or balcony.
You can also purchase live fish and shellfish for consumption, such as tilapia, catfish, lobster, and crab.
If you are paying with EBT General Assistance or TANF cash benefits, you can buy household items like clothing, personal hygiene, and cleaning products.
What Cannot Be Bought With EBT at Target?
Target accepts EBT cards for SNAP benefits as long as the purchased items are groceries.
Items that are excluded from SNAP EBT benefits are:
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
- Vitamins, medicines, and supplements
- Prepared hot foods
- Pet foods
- Cleaning supplies, paper products, and other household supplies
- Hygiene items, toiletries, and cosmetics
- Gift cards or prepaid cards
However, if you receive cash benefits on an EBT card, you will be able to purchase household items such as:
- Toilet paper and paper towels
- Personal hygiene products such as toothpaste, soap, and deodorant
- Feminine care products like pads, tampons, and liners
- Cleaning supplies like sponges, laundry detergent, and dishwashing liquid
- Baby products like diapers and wipes
How to Use an EBT Card at Target
You can use an EBT card to purchase products at Target the same way you would make any other purchase.
Choose the products you want to buy and then go through the line as usual.
When it’s time to pay, swipe your EBT card and enter the PIN.
There may be an option to select either Food or Cash.
In that case, you would choose the option based on if you are paying with SNAP food benefits or cash benefits such as General Assistance or TANF.
Which Target Stores Accept EBT?
Target accepts EBT at all its stores nationwide, including Mini-Stores, CityTarget, TargetExpress, and Super Target locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Target offers the option to pay for purchases with EBT food or cash benefit cards.
These are some additional questions people usually have about paying with EBT cards at Target stores.
Can I use EBT at Target mini-stores?
Yes, Target Mini Stores or Small Format Stores do accept EBT cards.
Target has smaller stores called mini-stores.
These Target stores are usually near college campuses or other places where a regular Target store would not fit.
The shops mainly carry home goods, clothing, food, and drinks.
Do cashiers know I’m using EBT?
Yes, cashiers will know the payment method that you are using.
This is because you must select the payment method when swiping your card.
If you pay with SNAP benefits, the balance for non-food items will be shown.
If you have EBT cash benefits or another form of payment, you can use it to pay the remaining balance.
What is Target’s payment phone number?
If you have general Target store payment questions or concerns, Guest Service is available by phone at 1-800-440-0680, or you can contact your local Target location.
Wrapping Up
The process of purchasing items from Target stores using an EBT card is straightforward.
You only need to choose the products you want to buy and go through the checkout process as usual.
If you have an EBT card with food or cash benefits, you can use it to buy food or specific non-food items at Target.
These tips should help you get the most out of your EBT card at Target.
Hopefully, the things you can buy are more straightforward, so that shopping at Target with your EBT benefits is simple.
You can find more information about the SNAP program on your state’s Department of Social Services website.
