Does Trader Joe’s Accept EBT? Get the Answer!
Yes, Trader Joe’s accepts EBT as a form of payment for their delicious, high-quality, and healthy produce and meals to feed you and your family. You can use EBT cards at all grocery stores and supermarkets that are electronic benefit transfer (EBT) authorized retailers.
EBT cards have item restrictions on what you can purchase, but more items qualify than don’t. So read on to learn about what you can buy with your EBT card at Trader Joe’s!
Answer: Does Trader Joe’s Take EBT?
Yes, Trader Joe’s takes EBT cards as a payment method.
EBT cards receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Because SNAP is a nationwide and federal program, all major grocery stores accept EBT payments at their stores.
Tip: To find stores that accept EBT, you can use the USDA’s SNAP Retailer Locator tool. If you’re not yet an EBT participant, you can submit an online EBT application through your state’s program. Make sure to follow the instructions for your application carefully to avoid delays.
Does Trader Joe’s Take Food Stamps?
Yes, you can use your food stamps to pay for your groceries at Trader Joe’s. EBT cards are frequently called food stamps; they’re the same thing!
Does Trader Joe’s Take SNAP?
Trader Joe’s does accept SNAP EBT cards. EBT and SNAP are the same programs.
Tip: Most eligible stores will either have EBT/SNAP benefits advertised as a payment option on their websites, store doors, or at the checkout register. If in doubt, you can call or ask customer service.
If you think you might be eligible for SNAP benefits, you can submit your own EBT application using your state’s online application or through their local offices.
What Items Can I Buy With EBT at Trader Joe’s?
You can purchase many delicious food items at Trader Joe’s with your EBT card, like fresh vegetables and fruits, meats, fish, snacks, and bread!
Here are some of the most frequently purchased items with EBT cards at Trader Joe’s:
- Baby food. Here are some great baby and toddler meals from Trader Joe’s if you’re weaning your baby.
- All types of cereals
- Coffee
- Dairy products of all types such as milk, yogurt, and cheese. Try their cheeses! Here’s a guide to the best Trader Joe’s cheeses.
- Soft drinks
- Energy drinks with nutrition facts labels
- Frozen dinners
- Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi! It’s made from cauliflower so it’s healthy, gluten-free, and trendy.
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Meats
- Seafood
- Poultry
- Protein bars, as long as it has a nutritional label on it.
- Protein powder with a label marked “Nutrition Facts”. Those with a “Supplement Facts” label are ineligible.
What Items Are Ineligible with EBT at Trader Joe’s?
Even though you can purchase a great majority of the foods available at your Trader Joe’s Market with your EBT cards, there are some restrictions on what you can buy, like alcohol or tobacco products.
Here are items that are not able to be purchased with your EBT card:
- Vitamins and medicines
- Trader Joe’s flowers and plants.
- Diapers
- Supplements
- Prepared hot foods (cafeteria type foods)
- Pet food
- Household supplies
- Cosmetics
- Hygiene items
- Trader Joe’s wine. Trader Joe’s has great deals on wines from the USA and beyond, but alcohol is not approved.
- Protein powders with a label marked “Supplement Facts” instead of “Nutrition Facts”.
You can visit the USDA website for a complete list of what you can and cannot purchase.
How To Use My EBT Card Benefits At Trader Joe’s?
Your EBT card works just like a credit or debit card would at the cash register. When you are ready to pay for your items, slide your card into the credit card machine and enter your PIN number. That’s it!
Low Balance On My EBT Card?
If you don’t have enough money on your EBT card to pay for all of your items, you can pay for the rest with a different form of payment such as a credit card, debit card, Trader Joe’s gift card, or cash. Typically, your retailer will deduct the remaining EBT card balance, and then you can pay the difference.
If you need to check your EBT card balance, you can call the number listed on the back of the card, go to your state’s website, or visit your local SNAP office.
Trader Joe’s Grocery Delivery With EBT?
Want your Trader Joe’s groceries delivered? Did you find that Trader Joe’s isn’t on Instacart? Sadly, Trader Joe’s does not offer grocery delivery.
If you want to use your EBT benefits for grocery delivery, you’ll need to use a different grocery delivery service. We recommend using Amazon’s SNAP EBT grocery delivery service. Why? It’s simple, fast, and EBT cardholders receive an extra 15% off! Amazon is the only online EBT grocery delivery service that gives EBT cardholders such an incredible deal.
TANF Cash Options
If you have the TANF cash benefit on your EBT card, you can withdraw cash from your card. At Trader Joe’s, the cashback limit is $50.
If needed, you can use the cash from your card to purchase other items that are ineligible with the regular EBT card, such as prepared hot food, clothing, transportation, and more!
Does Trader Joe’s Accept WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)?
If you are eligible for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, you may be wondering, does Trader Joe’s take WIC?
The answer is no; Trader Joe’s does not accept WIC.
Why doesn’t Trader Joe’s take WIC? It’s because they are not approved for the WIC program. So if you have WIC benefits, you will need to use them at a grocery store that accepts them.
Eligible Items With WIC
- Cereals
- Eggs
- Fruits and vegetables (frozen, fresh, dried, or canned)
- Milk
- Oatmeal
- Peanut butter
- Yogurt
- Whole wheat bread
- Whole wheat pasta
- Infant food and formula
Ineligible Items With WIC
- Sodas
- Beverages that are not 100% juice
- Imported cheese
- Cheese spreads
- Yogurts with candy
- Soups
- fruit-nut mixtures
It is essential to review what you can and cannot purchase with your WIC or food stamp benefits. For example, you can buy dairy foods, but there are certain restrictions on what type of products you can buy.
For example, you can purchase some yogurts, but you can’t buy ones with artificial sweeteners, candy, granola, nuts, or single-serve containers. It’s a little complicated, so read your state’s guide to WIC benefits before checking out at a grocery store.
What Is Trader Joe’s?
Trader Joe’s is an American grocery store chain of neighborhood grocery stores headquartered in Monrovia, California. They sell fresh produce, meat alternatives, natural and organic products at a great value. In commitment to their values, Trader Joe’s beef, pork, chicken, lamb, seafood, and shellfish are raised without any hormones or antibiotics. There are always new delicious products to try from around the globe.
Trader Joe’s bans many ingredients in their products that are not natural or healthy for you to eat. So you won’t find artificial flavors or preservatives, MSG, genetically modified ingredients, or transfats in Trader Joe’s branded products. What you will find are interesting, tasty items that use quality ingredients at a great price.
With 530 locations and 50,000 friendly employees, Trader Joe’s brings high-quality food at great prices to millions of Americans. You will find a selection of their new, exciting products highlighted in the Trader Joe’s Fearless Flyer.
Trader Joe’s Hours of Operation
Before going out to shop, you’ll want to know what Trader Joe’s hours are to avoid disappointment.
Unlike other stores that have different hours for different store locations, Trader Joe’s keeps it simple! Trader Joe’s locations across the United States are open from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., seven days per week, excluding holidays.
Their hours vary if it’s a holiday, and on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, they’re closed.
Trader Joe’s Recipes
At Trader Joe’s, but want to try making something new or don’t know what to make for dinner? They have made it easy with their collection of healthy Trader Joe’s recipes on their website. There are ideas for every occasion: date night, family-style, picnic, grilling, and more. So whether you’re making a snack, breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there’s something for everyone. There are also plenty of recipes that are kid and picky-eater-friendly!
A few examples of the recipes that you can make are:
- Vegan banana bread waffles
- Cornfetti rice with shrimp
- Turkey & wild rice soup
- Scallop ceviche
- Sweet & spicy grilled chicken thighs
- Cheesy hash brown casserole
If you are looking for recipes that cater to a specific taste or occasion, you will also find them on their site. Try something new! They’re delicious!
Frequently Asked Trader Joe’s EBT Questions
People often have specific questions about Trader Joe’s and EBT. Here are some of the most common questions people ask.
Does Trader Joe’s accept Lone Star Card?
Yes, Trader Joe’s accepts Lone Star EBT Cards as a payment method. A Lone Star Card is an EBT card issued in Texas.
What are SNAP authorized retailers?
A SNAP authorized retailer is a business that’s submitted an application for and was then approved to accept SNAP EBT cards. SNAP benefits can only be used for eligible foods at a SNAP authorized retailer. Applications are made to the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), which is in charge of the SNAP program.
There are specific rules relating to inventory requirements that businesses must meet to become SNAP authorized retailers. Supermarkets, wholesale stores, farmer’s markets, and convenience stores are among businesses eligible to participate in the program.
Does Trader Joe’s have curbside pickup?
No, Trader Joe’s does not have curbside pickup and does not plan on offering it as a service anytime soon. They claim it is because they would rather “focus their investments on employees” than on creating a curbside pickup system.
It’s more likely that Trader Joe’s business model works best when shoppers make impulse buys inside the store rather than ordering online. When was the last time you were in one of their stores and weren’t tempted to buy something you weren’t initially shopping for?
Does Trader Joe’s count as a supermarket for additional Amex rewards points?
Yes, American Express has confirmed that Trader Joe’s counts as a supermarket. With an eligible Amex card, you’ll earn valuable additional reward points each time you shop at Trader Joe’s.
Does Trader Joe’s accept contactless payment?
Yes, Trader Joe’s accepts Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay for contactless payment. Try checking out with one of these digital wallet options the next time you check out.
Does Trader Joe’s accept Apple Cash?
Yes, Trader Joe’s accepts Apple Cash for payment.
You can use Apple Cash for payment at any store that accepts Apple Pay. Since Trader Joe’s accepts Apple Pay, they also accept Apple Cash.
Can you pay with your phone at Trader Joe’s?
You can pay with your phone at Trader Joe’s using Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay.
Does Trader Joe’s accept Google Pay?
Yes, Trader Joe’s accepts Google Pay as a mobile payment method.
What forms of payment does Trader Joe’s accept?
Trader Joe’s accepts credit cards, debit cards, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay), EBT cards, cash, personal checks, and Trader Joe’s gift cards for payment.
What credit cards does Trader Joe’s accept?
Trader Joe’s accepts the following credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe’s is a great place to buy healthy, attractive, natural foods at a great price for yourself and your family with your EBT card.
To fulfill their commitment to their shoppers, Trader Joe’s makes sure that only high-quality, responsibly raised meats and other natural food products make it to their shelves.
If you want to shop at a fun grocery store with healthy, natural foods that accepts your EBT card, SNAP, or takes WIC, look no further than your local Trader Joe’s store!