Did you know that you can utilize your SNAP benefits to pay for groceries on DoorDash?
It is 100% true that you can include your EBT card on DoorDash and purchase authorized food items once you purchase groceries from the convenience stores.
You can pay them from your EBT card. Yes, it is already active and live now. On the other hand, plenty of business owners and even customers have no idea.
As a result, this quiet rollout can be one of the missed chances for small convenience and grocery stores. If you act now, you can take advantage.
Right now, DoorDash has become one of the best marketplaces, delivering the whole thing from food and groceries to personal care products.
As per the research, DoorDash serves more than 7000 cities in the USA, Canada, Australia, and Japan.
In the next section, we will examine the question in detail: Does DoorDash accept Electronic Benefits Transfer or not?
The EBT Policy of DoorDash: What You Should Know
In 2023, DoorDash started taking EBT for SNAP-eligible purchases, and since then, the program has grown significantly. Over 4 million consumers will have connected their DoorDash accounts to their SNAP/EBT cards by 2025.
However, EBT is only accepted for orders placed at grocery and convenience stores; restaurant deliveries are not accepted. This implies that you can use your benefits for cold, uncooked food from stores and supermarkets.
But not for hot meals from sit-down restaurants or fast-food franchises. The platform places a strong emphasis on adhering to USDA regulations, guaranteeing that only SNAP-approved goods are eligible.
DoorDash does not impose any extra costs when using EBT. However, unless they are waived through specials, regular delivery, service, and tip fees are applicable.
What stores on DoorDash accept EBT?
People enrolled in SNAP can now use their EBT cards for SNAP-eligible buying at the following stores. One of them is as follows.
Major grocery and convenience store
- ALDI
- Albertsons
- Dollar General
- Food Lion
- Giant Food
- Meijer
- Safeway
- Stop & Shop
- Walgreens
- 7-Eleven (select locations)
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Hy-Vee
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- DashMart
Regional and Other stores
- Acme
- Carrs
- Duane Reade
- Food City
- Hannaford
- Pavilions
- Raley’s
- Save Mart
- Smart & Final
In the future, DoorDash might accept SNAP payments at more stores. Thus, you will need to ensure that you constantly check their websites to remain updated. You can also sign up on the DoorDash website and stay notified when SNAP or EBT becomes available at more places.
Is DoorDash accepting EBT now?
Originally, DoorDash only accepted the SNAP/EBT payments at participating Albertson’s stores and Safeway
On the other hand, in July, the company extended its operations to widen food access by connecting over 4000 ALDI, Albertsons, Meijer, Safeway, and 7-Eleven locations as a means to utilize SNAP/EBT payments online.
Moreover, it also provides a free two-month Door Pass membership for users who sign up. And then they add their SNAP/EBT info on the app.
When users meet the criteria of certain requirements, such as a minimum purchase amount for a discount or a specific type of goods for a promotion. After that, DoorPass offers users 0 USD fees for taking part in thousands of grocery stores, restaurants, and convenience stores all over the USA.
Why is this a game-changer for grocery and convenience stores?
Local and small stores, mostly those that serve low-income people, now have an edge.
By connecting to DoorDash’s EBT-supported platforms, these stores can obtain these benefits.
- Serve many customers—These days, millions of American citizens depend on SNAP perks. As a result, this can open the doors to a huge population that may not otherwise purchase items at your store.
- Increase delivery orders—Customers who can use SNAP benefits can now use DoorDash. Thus, it can increase the potential for these grocery stores and convenience stores.
- Remain competitive- Big chains are already offering EBT friendly delivery. Now even a small grocery store can do.
How can I use EBT cards on DoorDash?
In order to obtain SNAP benefits on DoorDash, you will need to generate a new account on DoorDash if you do not have one.
After which, you can add your EBT card info and then keep your info carefully stored there.
Once you are shopping with the DoorDash application or website, search for stores and products that have a SNAP label.
Here are the SNAP-approved items.
- Fruits and vegetables
- Bread and cereal
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Condiments, spices, and seasonings
- Dairy products
- Baked goods
- Snacks
- Beverages (water, iced tea, fruit juice, etc.)
Once you reach the checkout, you must select the option “Pay with SNAP.” Then enter the amount you would like to apply toward the EBT card.
You can also see your remaining account balance after entering your card PIN. However, it is possible you can buy SNAP-eligible and non-SNAP-eligible cards at once.
If there are items in your cart that are not SNAP eligible end-to-end with your taxes, you need to pay DoorDash fees and any other driver tip via a different payment method.
Moreover, you can also use another debit or credit card as a default payment method for covering non-SNAP items.
Key Facts and Stats on EBT and food delivery
As per the newest industry data, it suggests that demand for more SNAP and EBT option combinations is expected to continue growing.
- More than 38 million US citizens depend on EBT cards.
- 87% of SNAP members feel food delivery apps would considerably enhance their access to meals
- 65% of EBT users claim that if DoorDash enabled EBT payments, they would use it.
Key Limitations and Eligibility
- Eligible Purchases—Only SNAP-approved items, including fruits, vegetables, breads, cereals, meats, dairy, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages, are eligible for EBT. Alcohol, smoke, hot prepared foods, restaurant meals, and non-food products cannot be used with it.
- Order Types—This does not apply to deliveries from restaurants, but rather to grocery delivery or pickup from supermarkets and convenience stores.
- Fees—Standard delivery, service, and tip fees are still applicable unless they are waived through promotions (e.g., via DashPass). But DoorDash does not impose additional fees for using EBT. A free two-month DashPass trial for discounted fees may be available to new SNAP beneficiaries.
- Mixed Payments—You can use EBT to pay for SNAP-eligible items and a different form of payment (such as a credit or debit card) for fees, tips, and non-eligible items.
Other Ways People Use DoorDash with Government Support
While DoorDash accepts EBT and SNAP, there are other ways people find creative methods to use the service.
Cash benefits
Few users obtain cash assistance benefits on their EBT card. It has another name, which is TANF—Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Further, these cash benefits can easily be used without restrictions, such as on DoorDash and other apps. Regardless of whether the card is set up to permit unlimited transactions.
Gift cards
Few people use their personal funds and gift cards bought with non-EBT Visa money. Whereas this does not solve the issue for people who depend on SNAP.
But then it offers flexibility once joining different kinds of support.
The Future Outlook
In the end, I hope that our guide provides you with answers to the question of whether DoorDash accepts EBT or not.
Now the question is, will DoorDash accept EBT in the future as a payment method? Well, I believe they will; it’s only a matter of time.
You can use other alternative ways as I described above. If you need any help, reach out to our website; our expert will guide you.
