EBT is a program that many people across the country use to get food that they would otherwise struggle to pay for.
For people who are on the program and are interested in using it for food delivery services like Uber Eats, we looked into whether EBT is accepted for payments, so keep reading to find out!
Does Uber Eats Accept EBT In 2024?
Unfortunately, Uber Eats does not accept EBT because the program does not cover hot cooked food that is intended to be eaten where it’s sold. This restriction also extends to food that falls under this category but gets delivered. Uber Eats accepts other major forms of payment including cash and cards in 2024.
Learn everything you need to know about EBT and Uber Eats, including more on why it’s not an option, alternative payment methods, and more by reading on!
Why Doesn’t Uber Eats Accept EBT?
As we’ve mentioned in the section above, Uber Eats probably doesn’t accept EBT because the program does not cover many of the options available on the platform.
Federal law currently says that EBT cannot be used to buy food that’s hot at the point of sale, which is what makes up the crux of what people buy on Uber Eats.
This requirement has been in place since the program was launched and is intended to push “healthy eating” by making it harder to use it to pay for fast food items.
There are several items on Uber Eats that are eligible for EBT such as snacks, but it would be difficult to track which purchases were being paid for by the program that the company just opts not to bother with it.
Moreover, the government requires companies that want to accept EBT online to register for approval and meet strict requirements, and Uber Eats probably hasn’t identified this as a worthwhile business move.
What Food Delivery Apps Accept EBT?
Unfortunately, none of the major food delivery apps like Postmates, Doordash, and Grubhub accept EBT.
A lot of them offer most of the same food items as Uber Eats, so the reasons for not taking EBT are similar to the ones we’ve provided above.
What Can You Buy With EBT?
You can use EBT to buy the following items:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, fish, and poultry
- Dairy products like cheese and butter
- Bread
- Cereals
- Snack foods
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Plants and seeds that produce food for households
EBT guidelines say you can’t use it for the following items:
- Food that is hot at the point of sale
- Tobacco or alcohol products like cigarettes, wine, liquor, and beer
- Medicines, vitamins, and supplements
- Live animals except ones slaughtered before you buy them, fish removed from the water, and shellfish
- Anything that isn’t food such as pet food, cleaning and household supplies, stationery, hygiene supplies, and cosmetics
Using this information, we can determine where you can use EBT to buy food online and have it delivered.
Where Can You Use EBT Online?
You can use EBT online at the following stores:
- Amazon (this includes Amazon Fresh but not Whole Foods)
- Walmart
- Safeway
- ShopRite
- Wright’s Markets
- Fresh Direct
- Instacart
- Kroger
- Publix
These services provide delivery, but it might not always be as fast in many cases, so you might need to look for ones in your area with a curbside pickup option if it’s urgent.
If you’re intent on getting something that’s close to what you can order from Uber Eats but still use EBT, you could buy wrapped sandwiches or frozen pizzas.
These are strong options for getting around the restrictions of the program because they aren’t hot at the point of sale but they don’t need you to cook them.
Rather, the most you’ll need to do is find a way to heat them up.
How to Pay Online With EBT
You can pay online with EBT by looking for the option to add your card at checkout because retailers that accept it have it displayed prominently on these pages.
When you see the option, you’ll need to enter your EBT card details along with your PIN just like you would a regular credit or debit card.
You also have the option to save your details and use your card as one of your regular payment methods on subsequent purchases.
Using EBT for online payments is only an option in certain states depending on whether the retailer or service you’re buying from has received permission from the government.
For example, Instacart doesn’t accept EBT in Montana or Louisiana but has been cleared to take it in all other states.
What Payment Methods Does Uber Eats Accept?
Uber Eats accepts the following payment methods:
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Apple Pay
- Venmo
- Paypal
- Cash
- Gift cards
To learn more, you can also read our posts on whether or not Uber Eats takes Apple Pay, does Uber Eats takes cash, and is Uber Eats safe.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, Uber Eats does not accept EBT because the program is not intended for foods that are hot at the point of sale. Uber Eats accepts credit, debit, gift cards, cash, Paypal, Venmo, and Apple Pay.
None of the other major food delivery services accept EBT, but you can use it online at select retailers and services such as Amazon, Walmart, and Instacart.
