You can use SNAP benefits on Instacart, but only through a specific payment method and only for certain items

Instacart accepts SNAP benefits through a feature called Instacart+ combined with an EBT card, but the process differs from shopping in a physical store. You link your EBT card to your Instacart account, and SNAP funds pay for may be able to access groceries — fresh produce, meat, dairy, bread, and canned goods. However, Instacart charges a delivery fee and service fees that SNAP cannot cover, so you pay those separately with another payment method.

Not all Instacart orders work with SNAP. The store you shop from matters: Whole Foods, Kroger, Safeway, and some regional chains accept SNAP through Instacart, but not all locations do. Walmart and Target do not currently process SNAP on Instacart, even though both accept SNAP in their physical stores. Before you add items to your cart, Instacart tells you whether the store you selected takes SNAP.

Items you cannot buy with SNAP — alcohol, hot prepared food, vitamins, pet food, and household supplies like soap or paper towels — will be flagged when you try to check out. You can still order them, but you must pay for them with a separate payment method.

Key Takeaways

  • Link your EBT card to your Instacart account to use SNAP benefits for may be able to access groceries at participating stores.
  • Delivery fees and service fees cannot be paid with SNAP and require a separate credit card, debit card, or other payment method.
  • Not all grocery stores on Instacart accept SNAP — check the store page before you shop to confirm it takes EBT.
  • Ineligible items like alcohol, hot food, and household products must be paid for separately even if you are using SNAP for the rest of your order.

How to link your EBT card to Instacart

Open the Instacart app or website and go to your account settings. Select "Payment methods" and choose "Add EBT card." Enter your card number, expiration date, and PIN — the same information you use at a grocery store checkout. Instacart will verify the card with your state's SNAP system, which usually takes a few minutes but can take up to 24 hours.

Once your EBT card is linked, it appears as a payment option when you check out. You do not need Instacart+ membership to use SNAP, though the membership removes delivery fees on orders over a certain amount (this varies by location). If you use Instacart+ with SNAP, the membership discount applies to the delivery fee, but the service fees still come out of your other payment method.

Which stores accept SNAP on Instacart

Instacart partners with different grocery chains in different regions. Whole Foods, Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, Harris Teeter, and some independent grocers take SNAP through Instacart. However, availability depends on your location and the specific store location — a Kroger in one city might accept SNAP while another does not.

To find out which stores near you accept SNAP, search for a store in the Instacart app and look for an EBT badge on the store page. If you do not see the badge, that store does not currently process SNAP orders. You can also call the store directly or check your state's SNAP program website, which sometimes lists participating retailers.

Walmart, Target, Amazon Fresh, and Trader Joe's do not currently accept SNAP through Instacart, even though some of these stores take SNAP in person. This changes over time, so if a store you want to use does not show the EBT badge now, it may in the future.

What happens to fees when you pay with SNAP

Instacart charges three separate fees: a delivery fee (usually $3.99 to $9.99), a service fee (a percentage of your order total), and sometimes a small-order fee if your purchase is under a certain amount. None of these fees can be paid with SNAP. You must cover them with a credit card, debit card, or other payment method linked to your account.

This means your total out-of-pocket cost is higher than the grocery total. If your groceries cost $50 and fees total $12, SNAP pays the $50 and you pay the $12. Some people find this worthwhile for the convenience; others prefer to shop in person where there are no delivery or service fees.

If you have an Instacart+ membership, the delivery fee is waived on orders over a set amount (usually $35 to $100, depending on your location). You still pay the service fee and any small-order fee with a separate payment method.

may be able to access and ineligible items on Instacart

SNAP covers the same items on Instacart as it does in a physical store. may be able to access items include fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry, fish and seafood, dairy products, breads and cereals, snack foods like nuts and crackers, and beverages like milk and juice. Frozen and canned versions of these foods are also covered.

Ineligible items include alcohol and tobacco, hot or prepared foods (rotisserie chicken, deli salads, bakery items made to order), vitamins and medicines, pet food, household supplies, and personal care items. When you add an ineligible item to your cart, Instacart marks it as "not may be able to access for SNAP" and requires you to pay for it separately at checkout.

Some items sit in a gray area. For example, a store-made salad in a container is usually ineligible because it is considered prepared food, but a bag of pre-made salad mix is may be able to access because it is not heated or assembled to order. If you are unsure about a specific item, check the product page on Instacart — it will say whether SNAP covers it.

What to do if your EBT card is declined

If your EBT card is declined during checkout, the most common reason is that your card is not properly linked to your account. Go back to your payment methods, remove the card, and add it again. Make sure you enter your PIN correctly — Instacart treats your PIN the same way a store checkout does.

A second reason is that your SNAP balance is too low to cover the may be able to access items in your cart. Instacart will tell you the amount of your balance when you check out, so you can remove items until the total matches your available funds. Remember that SNAP only covers the groceries, not the fees.

If the card is linked correctly and your balance is sufficient, contact Instacart customer service through the app. They can check whether your card is having technical issues with their system or whether your state's SNAP program is experiencing a temporary outage. Your state's SNAP hotline can also confirm whether your card is active and has funds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use SNAP on Instacart Express or same-day delivery?

Yes, SNAP works with all Instacart delivery speeds — standard, Express, and same-day — as long as the store you are ordering from takes SNAP. The delivery fee and service fee still cannot be paid with SNAP and must come from another payment method. Faster delivery options may have higher fees.

Do I need to be an Instacart+ member to use SNAP?

No, SNAP works on Instacart without a membership. However, if you order frequently, Instacart+ removes the delivery fee on orders over a certain amount, which can save money over time. You would still pay service fees and other charges with a separate payment method.

What if my state does not show up when I try to link my EBT card?

Instacart does not yet work with SNAP in every state. If your state is not available, you cannot use SNAP on Instacart at this time. Check back periodically, as Instacart continues to add states. In the meantime, you can shop in person at stores that take SNAP or use other online grocery services that may accept SNAP in your state.

Can I use SNAP to pay for delivery fees if I have a credit on my account?

No, SNAP can only pay for may be able to access groceries, not for any fees. Even if you have a promotional credit or account balance on Instacart, SNAP cannot be applied to delivery, service, or small-order fees. Those must be paid with a separate payment method.