EBT Online Purchasing Pilot Program Questions and Answers
Below are some anticipated questions and answers regarding the online purchasing program.
Q. Can I use my EBT card to make purchases online?
A. Yes, if you get CalFresh benefits, you can purchase groceries online at Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Amazon, and Walmart using your EBT card. You can purchase the same food you would normally purchase in the store. At this time, cash assistance EBT benefits can only be used at Walmart.
You can find out more about how to purchase food online with your EBT card at Albertsons.com/SNAP, Safeway.com/SNAP, Vons.com/SNAP, Walmart, and Amazon. Additional information about the retailers Retailer Information Sheet can be found on the California Department of Social Services website.
Q. Will I get a new Personal Identification Number (PIN) for online purchases?
A. No, EBT online purchases will be completed using the EBT PIN already established.
Q. Can I order online and pick up my items?
A. The ability to pick up your online items is dependent on which retailer you purchase from.
When you buy your groceries online using your EBT card through Amazon, you cannot select pick-up.
When you buy your groceries online using your EBT card through Walmart, you can schedule a grocery pick-up at no charge.
When you buy groceries online using your EBT card from Albertsons, Safeway, and Vons, begin by placing a grocery pickup order, select SNAP EBT payment for Drive Up and Go™, and bring your EBT card to the pickup area. Available at participating stores only.
Q. Can I use my EBT card to buy non-food items?
A. Yes, if you get CalFresh benefits, you can only buy food items online at Albertsons, Amazon, Safeway, Vons and Walmart. If you get CalWORKs, you can use your cash benefits to make food or non-food purchases at Walmart.
EBT Online Retailers:
Q. Why can I only use my EBT card online at Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Walmart and Amazon?
A. Currently, Albertsons, Amazon, Safeway, Vons, and Walmart are the only retailers that accept EBT cards online in California. CDSS is working hard to add more stores in the future.
EBT Online Purchase Delivery:
Q. Can I order online and have my items delivered?
A. Yes, with Amazon and Walmart, you can purchase groceries online using your EBT card and have them delivered, but you cannot use your CalFresh benefits to pay for the delivery fee. If you choose delivery for your groceries, you will have to select an alternative payment method to pay for the delivery fees.
Amazon does not accept EBT cash benefits; however, EBT cash benefits can be used to pay for Walmart Grocery delivery fees.
Walmart delivers in a radius of nine to 10 miles from the physical store; however, not all Walmart locations participate in delivery.
Albertsons, Safeway, and Vons delivery service are coming to a store near you soon. In the meantime, EBT pay is available at participating Drive Up and Go™ pickup store locations at this time.
Q. Is there a delivery fee?
A. When you spend $35 or more on groceries online from Amazon, home delivery is free. Depending on the location and availability of food items, a delivery fee may vary from $3.99 to $7 for food purchases less than $35.
Groceries purchased online with an EBT card from Walmart Grocery are subject to a delivery fee varying from $7.95 to $9.95 depending on location, availability of food items and time selected for delivery. Walmart offers unlimited delivery for $12.95 per month or $98 per year.
Q. Can I use my EBT card to cover delivery fees?
A. Yes, if you get cash assistance, you can use your EBT cash benefits to pay for delivery fees at Walmart. Your CalFresh benefits cannot be used to cover the delivery fee.
Q. What options are available to pay for the delivery fees?
A. If you have cash assistance benefits on your EBT card, you can use those benefits to pay for delivery fees through Walmart.
Amazon provides customers the opportunity to set-up an Amazon Cash account at Amazon.com to add funds to pay for delivery fees or other non-food items.
Q. Will my EBT online purchases be prioritized or will I have to wait for an available delivery slot?
A. No, EBT cardholder purchases are not prioritized. These customers are in the same shopping and delivery queues as the general public.
EBT Online Purchase Resources:
Q. Where can I learn more about the EBT Online Purchase Program?
A. To learn more about using your EBT online , you can visit the EBT Online page on the California Department of Social Services website.
Q. Is there a customer service number for questions regarding EBT online purchases?
A. The California Department of Social Services customer service can either be reached by phone (916) 654-2125 or email at CDSSEBT@dss.ca.gov.
Retailers' EBT online customer service can be reached at their designated websites listed below:
Amazon customer service: www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html;
Albertsons customer service: www.albertsons.com/contact-us.html;
Safeway customer service: www.safeway.com/contact-us.html;
Vons customer service: www.vons.com/contact-us.html or
Walmart customer service: www.walmart.com/grocery/help
Q. I am a retailer; how can I participate in the EBT Online Purchase Program?
A. To participate in the EBT Online Purchasing Program, retailers must visit the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services website. Please see Retailer Requirements to Provide Online Purchasing to SNAP Households at www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-requirements-provide-online-purchasing.