Sam’s Club does accept SNAP/EBT, but the rule is narrower than many shoppers expect. Sam’s Club’s help pages say SNAP/EBT can be used for club purchases and Scan & Go, but not for SamsClub.com purchases. Sam’s Club also says you must be a member to use SNAP at the club.
That means the short answer is: yes, Sam’s Club takes EBT in person at the club, but no, it does not work the same way for online checkout on SamsClub.com. If you are planning to shop there with SNAP, the safest approach is to go in person and pay at the club register or use Scan & Go where allowed.
What you can buy with EBT at Sam’s Club
SNAP rules are federal, so the items you can buy at Sam’s Club are the same types of foods allowed at other authorized retailers. USDA says SNAP benefits can be used for foods for the household such as fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy, breads and cereals, snack foods, non-alcoholic beverages, and seeds and plants that produce food.
At Sam’s Club, that usually means groceries like produce, meat, dairy, bread, cereal, frozen foods, and many packaged food items, as long as the product is SNAP-eligible under federal rules.
What you cannot buy with EBT at Sam’s Club
USDA rules also make clear that SNAP cannot be used for hot foods at the point of sale, alcohol, tobacco, vitamins and supplements, pet food, cleaning supplies, paper products, hygiene items, and cosmetics.
So even if Sam’s Club sells the item, that does not mean EBT can pay for it. A rotisserie chicken from a hot food counter, alcohol, or household supplies would not qualify under SNAP rules.
How to use EBT at Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club says SNAP/EBT can be used at club locations and through Scan & Go. The store’s help pages also say EBT cards are accepted at the club register and in the app for qualifying club purchases, and that SNAP items can be refunded back to the SNAP EBT account within 90 days of purchase or exchanged for the same item. Cash refunds, credits, or gift cards are not allowed for those SNAP purchases.
In practice, the process is simple: shop in the club, separate SNAP-eligible food from non-eligible items, then use your EBT card for the approved food portion and pay the rest with another payment method if needed. Sam’s Club’s accepted payment page also lists cash, check, debit, major cards, and gift cards among its accepted methods.
Can you use EBT online at Sam’s Club?
Sam’s Club’s main help page says SNAP/EBT cannot be used for SamsClub.com purchases. Another Sam’s Club location page says the club offers same-day delivery and curbside pickup for members, but the payment-method rules on the help page still say pickup orders are online purchases and cannot be paid for using SNAP.
So if you are using SNAP, the safest reading of Sam’s Club’s official help pages is this: use EBT in club, not on the website checkout flow. If you need delivery or pickup, plan to use another payment method for that order.
Does Sam’s Club offer any help for government assistance recipients?
Yes. Sam’s Club says qualifying government assistance recipients who join online as new members can receive a 60% discount on a Club membership or $50 off a Plus membership. Sam’s Club says eligibility is verified through ID.me and lists programs such as SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP, certain Medicaid programs, SSI, Pell Grant, and others.
That discount can matter if you plan to shop there regularly. Just remember that the membership discount is separate from the SNAP benefit itself.
Does Sam’s Club accept WIC?
Sam’s Club says it is not an authorized WIC retailer. If you use WIC, you will need to shop at a store that participates in the WIC program and carries WIC-approved items in the required sizes and brands.
How to check where you can use SNAP
If you want to confirm other stores near you, USDA’s SNAP Retailer Locator lets you search nearby SNAP-authorized retailers by address, city, state, or ZIP code. That is the best tool to use when you want to verify a store before you go.
Final answer
Yes, Sam’s Club takes EBT for in-club SNAP purchases and Scan & Go, but not for SamsClub.com purchases according to its help pages. You must also be a Sam’s Club member to use SNAP there, and your purchases must follow federal SNAP rules for eligible food items.
FAQ
Does Sam’s Club accept EBT at all locations?
Sam’s Club’s help page says it currently accepts SNAP/EBT at all club locations and with Scan & Go, but not for SamsClub.com purchases.
Can you use EBT for groceries at Sam’s Club?
Yes. Eligible grocery items can be paid for with SNAP/EBT, as long as they meet federal SNAP food rules.
Can you use EBT for delivery or pickup at Sam’s Club?
Sam’s Club’s help page says no for SamsClub.com purchases, and it also says curbside pickup orders must be paid online.
Do you need a membership to use EBT at Sam’s Club?
Yes. Sam’s Club says you must be a member to use SNAP at the club.
Does Sam’s Club take WIC?
No. Sam’s Club says it is not an authorized WIC retailer.
