Many customers use WIC, EBT, and food stamps to buy groceries and food items at a wide range of stores around the country.
Knowing that Walgreens has 8000+ stores all over the nation, you might be wondering whether or not Walgreens accepts WIC and EBT benefits. Here is what I discovered!
Does Walgreens Accept EBT & Food Stamps?
Most Walgreens locations accept EBT, WIC, SNAP, and food stamps. However, not all Walgreens stores accept EBT, so it is recommended to call your local store to confirm. Eligible EBT items at Walgreens include dairy, meat, groceries, bread, and more.
If you want to know more about using your EBT card, the items you can (and cannot) buy, and how to locate your nearest Walgreens store, keep on reading!
Does Walgreens Accept Payment Through EBT Cards?
EBT cards provide a means to utilize any cash benefits or food stamps you may have received from the government as part of WIC or any other program.
These are quite similar to debit and credit cards and so can be used to make purchases at POS terminals.
However, this does not mean you can use your WIC benefits and food stamps at every Walgreens store since these are only accepted at specific stores across the country.
This is primarily due to different state laws and regulations which have different EBT eligibility.
How Can You Find Out If Your Local Walgreens Accepts WIC & Food Stamps?
The best way to determine if your local Walgreens accepts WIC or other food stamps is to call the store and ask.
Since there is no information about EBT eligible locations on the Walgreens website, this is the quickest way.
To locate your nearest Walgreens store, you can make use of the Walgreens store locator. It will take your address and give you the address, contact number, and open hours of the store nearest to you.
If you already know where the nearest store is located, you can also visit the store directly and ask at the register whether the store accepts WIC and food stamps.
How Do You Make A Purchase Using Your EBT Card At Walgreens?
Making a purchase using your EBT card is no different from using a debit or credit card at a POS terminal. Here are the steps you have to follow:
- Swipe your EBT card at the POS device
- Enter your 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN)
- Approve the purchase amount
- Receive a copy of the receipt containing your new EBT food and cash balance
If you have never used a debit or credit card before and are feeling confused, you can simply ask the Walgreens clerk for assistance.
What Items Can You Buy At Walgreens Using EBT, WIC, Or Food Stamps?
You are only permitted to buy the following food items (for the household to eat) approved by the United States Department of Agriculture using your EBT card, WIC, and food stamps:
- Bread and cereal
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, fish, and poultry
- Dairy products
- Seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat
Note that since Walgreens is primarily a drugstore, you may not find several items from the above list at most of its stores.
Therefore, it’s best to ask at the register beforehand whether the food item you want to buy is available.
What Items Are Ineligible For Purchase Using EBT, WIC, Or Food Stamps?
You cannot buy beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, and tobacco products at any store in the country using your EBT card, WIC, or food stamps.
Other than that, you cannot buy any of the following items:
- Pet food
- Soaps and paper products
- Household supplies
- Prescriptions and deliveries
- Vitamins and medicines
- Food that will be eaten in the store
- Hot foods
How Can You Find WIC-approved Stores Other Than Walgreens Near You?
Many state-approved stores and supermarket chains besides Walgreens accept EBT cards, WIC, and other food stamps. Since Walgreens does not sell a number of food items from the list of permitted ones, you may decide to go to another store that does.
To find out which stores nearest to you are WIC-approved, you can visit this WIC store locator and enter your state and street-level address. You will get a list of all the nearest stores that accept WIC.
To learn more, you can see our related guides on:
Conclusion
Walgreens does accept EBT cards as a payment method at all of its stores. However, not all stores accept WIC benefits and food stamps since this varies between states. So it is best that you call up your nearest Walgreens store and ask them if they accept WIC and food stamps.
