- Publix is a supermarket located in various states, including Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida, and it has multiple ways to pay for your purchase.
EBT is how people on food stamps pay for their food, so you might need to know if Publix takes EBT. Keep reading to learn the answer to that and much more!
Does Publix Take EBT?
Publix does take EBT at all locations within the United States and will accept EBT for online Publix orders through Instacart. You can use EBT both at a regular checkout lane and in self-checkout. Additionally, you don’t usually need to separate your order if you also have items not eligible for EBT purchase.
There are many other questions, such as whether you can use EBT at Publix online and what qualifies for an EBT purchase, so keep reading further!
Can You Use EBT at Self-Checkout at Publix?
Yes, you can use EBT if you’re going through self-checkout at Publix. That said, when you click on the screen to pay, you’ll see “EBT” listed as a payment option.
Then, just follow the steps on the screen to swipe your EBT card to complete the transaction.
Can I Order Publix Online With EBT?
Publix uses Instacart for Publix online delivery service, and Instacart accepts EBT as a payment method, just like credit and debit cards.
Furthermore, it’s very easy to checkout using EBT through Instacart and only requires you to follow a few simple steps, including:
- Click on the “Checkout” button to begin the process
- Enter your EBT card details where indicated
- Enter your address where it requires your information
- If you need to, you can edit how much to pay with the EBT card
- Click “Confirm Payment Method” on the screen
- Make sure all your information is correct, and click “Place Order”
- Enter your EBT four-digit PIN to complete the transaction and verify the order
Does Publix Accept EBT For Grocery Pickup?
Fortunately, you can use your EBT card to pay for your Publix order online and then pick it up at your local store.
Furthermore, there’s no additional fee for placing your Publix order and choosing in-store pick-up as the option!
Do I Have To Separate Groceries For EBT at Publix?
You do not usually need to separate the grocery items that are EBT-eligible from non-eligible items since the barcode on the products allows the scanner to figure it out automatically.
With that, once the whole order has been scanned, just pay using EBT at first, and all EBT-eligible items from the total will be deducted, leaving you with a remaining balance.
Then, you’ll just have to pay the balance due on the remaining items using another payment method, such as cash or credit card.
However, smaller Publix stores may request you separate the items, so you should tell the cashier first you’re using EBT.
What Cannot Be Bought With EBT at Publix?
At Publix, there are several different products that you cannot purchase using your EBT funds, including:
- Cosmetics
- Personal Hygiene Products
- Tobacco
- Alcohol
- Flowers or Plants
- Pet Food
- Cleaning Products
- Any Live Animal
- Supplements
- Medicine
Despite this, you can still purchase these items at Publix, but you’ll have to use another payment method.
Does Publix Take EBT For Cakes?
Yes, you can purchase cakes and other bakery items at Publix using your EBT card at all locations across the United States.
Cookies, cupcakes, muffins, fresh bread, and other similar bakery items are eligible for purchase with EBT, and sometimes custom cake orders also are covered.
However, made-to-order and hot food items are not eligible for EBT, excluding some bakery items and possibly custom cakes.
That said, you will need to ask the bakery how it categorizes custom cakes and whether the store rings them up as made-to-order or refrigerated.
Does Publix Take EBT For Sushi?
Yes, Publix does accept EBT for sushi, and since it’s a cold item, there’s no issue with using EBT as your payment method.
Does Publix Take EBT For Deli?
You can use your EBT card to purchase deli items at Publix as long as all items you’re buying are cold since EBT does not cover hot food items.
However, you cannot use your EBT card for a deli sandwich you had made to order, such as a special request, as the item must be pre-made to qualify for EBT.
What Can I Buy at Publix With an EBT Card?
If you’re using an EBT card, there are tons of items that you can purchase at Publix, including:
- Fresh Fruit
- Eggs
- Fresh Vegetables
- Infant Formula
- Meat (chicken, fish, pork, beef)
- Seafood
- Cereal
- Coffee
- Yogurt
- Cheese
- Milk
- Pasta and Rice
- Frozen Dinners
- Canned Fruits
- Canned Vegetables
- Bread
- Protein Bars
- Bagged Snacks
What Other Forms Of Payment Does Publix Take?
Publix accepts a variety of payment methods, including the following:
- EBT
- WIC
- Checks
- Debit cards
- Cash
- Credit cards (Discover, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express)
- Publix app payments
- NFC payments (Apple Pay)
To know more about Publix, you can also read our posts on whether or not Publix takes Apple Pay, if Publix price matches, and if Publix does money orders.