Does Instacart Accept EBT Cash? An In-Depth Look at Online Grocery Shopping for SNAP Recipients

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as food stamps, is a crucial lifeline for over 41 million low-income Americans. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, SNAP helps 1 in 8 Americans put food on the table, with an average monthly benefit of $121 per person as of 2022.

In recent years, the rise of online grocery delivery services like Instacart has offered a new level of convenience and time-savings for many shoppers. But for the millions of households relying on SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) to purchase groceries, access to these services has been limited. The good news is that Instacart now accepts EBT payments from SNAP recipients in 37 states, with a few restrictions.

So how exactly does Instacart‘s EBT program work? Can you use your EBT Cash benefits, or just SNAP EBT? What are the benefits and limitations compared to shopping in-store? As an experienced Instacart shopper and consumer expert, I‘ll share my insights and analysis to help savvy shoppers maximize their benefits while using this popular grocery delivery platform.

How SNAP Benefits Have Evolved in the Digital Age

To understand Instacart‘s EBT program, it‘s helpful to look at the bigger picture of how SNAP benefits have adapted to 21st century commerce and technology. Historically, SNAP recipients received paper food stamps that could only be redeemed for eligible grocery items in physical stores. In the 1990s, food stamps began to be replaced by EBT cards, which function similarly to debit cards but have restrictions on eligible purchases.

The 2014 Farm Bill mandated a pilot program for SNAP recipients to be able to use their benefits for online grocery orders, but progress has been slow. According to the USDA‘s 2020 review of the pilot, online EBT purchasing was only live in 8 states by March 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the expansion significantly, with 47 states now offering some form of online purchasing for SNAP recipients as of 2023.

Melissa Boteach, Vice President for Income Security and Child Care/Early Learning at the National Women‘s Law Center, says the pandemic highlighted the urgent need for equitable digital access to healthy food for low-income households. "The public health crisis made it clear that online grocery shopping is a necessity, not a luxury," Boteach explained in an interview. "For seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families with limited transportation or living in food deserts, being able to order groceries online and have them delivered is a matter of health and safety."

Instacart‘s EBT Program: Where and How It Works

Currently, Instacart accepts EBT SNAP payments in 37 states and Washington D.C. The full list of participating states as of 2023 includes:

Within these states, Instacart has partnerships with over 60 retailers to allow EBT payments, including major chains like Aldi, Food Lion, Publix, and Safeway. However, not every participating retailer has enabled EBT payments in every eligible state. SNAP recipients will need to check which stores in their area are available for EBT purchases through Instacart‘s app or website.

To use EBT on Instacart, customers must first add their EBT card as a payment method in their account settings. When browsing a participating store, any EBT-eligible items will be clearly labeled. SNAP funds can only be applied to these approved items, which include:

• Bread and cereal
• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products
• Seeds and plants that produce food

An important restriction to note is that SNAP benefits cannot be used to pay for delivery fees, service fees, bottle deposits, taxes, or tips on Instacart. Customers will need to have a credit or debit card linked to their account to cover those additional charges.

When checking out, Instacart will clearly show the subtotal of EBT-eligible items and the remaining balance to be charged to the credit/debit card. After placing the order, customers will need to enter their EBT PIN to authorize the SNAP payment just like they would in a physical store.

The Pros and Cons of Using EBT on Instacart

So what are the benefits of using EBT on Instacart compared to shopping in person? And what limitations or trade-offs should SNAP recipients be aware of? Here‘s a quick rundown of the major pros and cons:

Pros

• Convenient home delivery, especially for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those with limited transportation
• Potentially wider selection of healthy foods than available at local stores
• Time savings vs. traveling to/from the store and shopping in person
• Avoid crowds, long lines, and COVID-19 exposure risk
• Can easily compare prices and find coupons/deals in the app

Cons

• Delivery and service fees add up, and aren‘t covered by SNAP
• Not all stores accept EBT on Instacart, so selection may be limited
• Potential for delays or low inventory, esp. during high-demand times
• Can‘t use SNAP funds to tip shoppers
• Produce or perishable items may not be as high-quality as hand-selecting in store

How the pros and cons balance out will depend on each individual SNAP recipient‘s circumstances and priorities. But for many, online grocery delivery is a welcome option that can increase access to healthy foods and save precious time and energy.

Tina Johnson, a single mother of three in Chicago who uses her SNAP benefits on Instacart, says the service has been a game-changer. "Before Instacart started taking food stamps, I was spending hours on the bus every week dragging my kids to the grocery store," Johnson shared. "Now I can place my order when I have a few minutes free and get everything delivered right to my door. It‘s one less thing to worry about."

Expert Tips for Maximizing EBT on Instacart

While taking advantage of Instacart‘s EBT program can help stretch SNAP benefits further, there are still limitations and potential pitfalls to navigate. I asked Wendy Wesley, a veteran Instacart shopper in Florida, to share her top tips for SNAP recipients based on her experience:

1. Always check the "EBT Eligible" filter when browsing to avoid accidentally adding non-approved items to your cart.

2. Keep an eye out for in-app coupons and specials, which can help offset delivery fees and maximize your SNAP dollars.

3. Be as specific as possible in your instructions for perishable items like produce, meat, and dairy. The more guidance you give your shopper, the better they can select high-quality products.

4. If possible, place your order well in advance of when you need the items to allow for any potential delays or stock issues. Don‘t wait until you‘re completely out of essentials.

5. Consider participating in Instacart‘s Express membership program, which waives delivery fees on orders over $35 for a flat monthly or yearly rate. Just remember you‘ll have to pay for the membership with a separate form of payment, not EBT.

6. Take advantage of Instacart‘s "Leave at My Door Delivery" option if you‘re uncomfortable interacting face-to-face with your shopper. This is especially important for high-risk individuals during COVID surges.

7. Rate and review your shopper after each order to help improve the quality of service for future customers. If you had a great experience, consider leaving a cash tip if you‘re able to!

Instacart shoppers aren‘t always aware which orders are being paid for with EBT, so Wesley says clear communication and realistic expectations go a long way. "The biggest challenge with EBT orders is that we often don‘t find out until we get to the store that certain items aren‘t covered," she explained. "I always encourage customers to reach out if they have any questions or concerns so we can make substitutions on the spot and avoid surprises at delivery."

The Case for Expanding SNAP Online Purchasing

While Instacart and a growing number of retailers now accept EBT payments, advocates say there‘s still significant room for improvement in SNAP online purchasing policies. Jeremy Everett, executive director of the Baylor University Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty, argues that the current system puts an undue burden on small grocers, especially in rural areas.

"Many of the stores that currently accept SNAP don‘t have the resources or technology to enable online purchasing," Everett explains. "That means their customers are left behind, without equitable access to the convenience and safety of home grocery delivery."

There are also limitations in what kinds of products can be purchased with SNAP benefits online. Hot and prepared foods, which are not eligible for SNAP in-store, also can‘t be ordered through Instacart and other online platforms. Restaurant delivery remains off-limits for SNAP recipients as well.

Anti-hunger advocates like the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) are lobbying Congress and the USDA to further expand the SNAP online purchasing program. On their wish list are a number of reforms, including:

• Requiring all SNAP-authorized retailers to enable online purchasing
• Creating a technical assistance fund to help smaller stores set up their e-commerce capabilities
• Launching additional pilot programs to allow SNAP to be used for restaurant delivery and hot/prepared foods
• Exploring mobile payment options for unbanked SNAP recipients without traditional debit cards

FRAC estimates that 32 percent of SNAP recipients are not yet able to use their benefits online because of limitations in retailer participation and state implementation. Closing those gaps is an important part of their ongoing advocacy efforts.

The Bottom Line

For millions of low-income Americans, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a vital resource that helps ensure consistent access to healthy food. As more daily activities and errands move online, SNAP recipients deserve equal opportunities to take advantage of e-commerce and delivery services.

Instacart‘s EBT SNAP program is an important step in the right direction, and a major convenience for the 37 states in which it‘s currently available. While not every store accepts EBT through the platform yet, major national retailers like Aldi and Publix are increasingly making their inventory accessible for SNAP online purchasing.

As with any online shopping, there are trade-offs and potential extra costs for Instacart‘s EBT customers to consider. Using SNAP benefits online takes a bit more planning and organization to avoid hiccups at checkout, and delivery fees remain an out-of-pocket expense. But for many, the time savings and convenience are well worth those additional considerations.

Instacart and other grocery delivery platforms would be wise to continue expanding and optimizing their EBT programs, as SNAP online purchasing is only likely to grow. Consulting with anti-hunger advocates and SNAP recipients themselves will be key to ensuring the policies and user experience are as intuitive and equitable as possible. With the right public-private partnerships, technology could be a powerful force for making healthy food as accessible online as it is in-store.