Can You Use Food Stamps at Costco?
Yes, Costco accepts food stamps — officially known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits — at all of its warehouse locations across the United States. If you're an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) cardholder, you can use your SNAP benefits to purchase eligible food items at Costco, just as you would at any other grocery store or supermarket.
This is great news for budget-conscious families who want to take advantage of Costco's bulk pricing and savings. Buying in bulk at Costco can stretch your SNAP dollars further, allowing you to get more food for your benefit amount. However, there are some important details to understand about how SNAP benefits work at Costco and what you can and cannot purchase with them.
How to Use Your EBT Card at Costco
Using your EBT card at Costco is similar to using it at any other retailer that accepts SNAP benefits. When you're ready to check out, simply swipe your EBT card at the payment terminal and enter your four-digit PIN. The system will automatically apply your SNAP benefits to eligible food items in your cart.
If your cart contains a mix of SNAP-eligible and non-eligible items, the system will separate the charges. Your EBT card will be charged only for the eligible food items, and you'll need to pay for the remaining items using another accepted payment method. Costco accepts debit cards, Visa credit cards, cash, checks, Costco Shop Cards, and EBT cards. It's important to note that Costco does not accept Mastercard, American Express, or Discover credit cards.
You can use your EBT card at both the regular checkout lanes and the self-checkout kiosks at Costco. The self-checkout option can be particularly convenient for smaller purchases, allowing you to quickly process your SNAP-eligible items without waiting in a longer line.
What Can You Buy with SNAP Benefits at Costco?
The items you can purchase with SNAP benefits at Costco are determined by federal USDA guidelines, not by Costco itself. Generally, you can use your EBT card to buy any food item intended for home consumption. This includes a wide range of products available at Costco.
Eligible items include fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, and canned), meat, poultry, and fish, dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt, bread and cereals, snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages, seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat, and baking ingredients like flour, sugar, and spices. Costco's Kirkland Signature brand offers excellent value on many of these staple items.
Items that are not eligible for SNAP purchase include alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, vitamins and supplements, pet food, cleaning supplies, paper products, and any non-food household items. Hot prepared foods from Costco's food court or deli section are also typically not eligible for SNAP purchase, as they are considered prepared meals rather than food for home preparation.
Do You Need a Costco Membership to Use Food Stamps?
Yes, you generally need a Costco membership to shop at Costco, even if you're paying with EBT. Costco memberships start at $65 per year for a Gold Star membership. While this is an additional cost, many families find that the savings they get on bulk purchases more than offset the membership fee over the course of a year.
However, it's worth noting that Costco membership fees cannot be paid with SNAP benefits. You'll need to pay for your membership using another payment method. Some states have programs or organizations that may help cover the cost of a warehouse club membership for low-income families, so it's worth checking with local assistance programs in your area.
Another option is to shop with someone who already has a Costco membership. Costco members can bring up to two guests on each visit, and those guests can make purchases using their own payment methods, including EBT cards. This can be a good way to access Costco's bulk savings without committing to a membership yourself.
Maximizing Your SNAP Benefits at Costco
Shopping at Costco with SNAP benefits can be an excellent way to stretch your food budget, but it requires some planning to maximize your savings. One of the best strategies is to focus on staple items that you use regularly and that have a long shelf life. Products like rice, pasta, canned goods, frozen vegetables, and cooking oils are often significantly cheaper per unit at Costco compared to regular grocery stores.
Buying fresh produce in bulk can also save money, but be careful not to buy more than your family can consume before it spoils. Costco sells large quantities of fruits and vegetables, which is great for large families but may lead to waste for smaller households. Consider splitting bulk purchases with friends or family members to get the savings without the waste.
Costco's Kirkland Signature brand is particularly valuable for SNAP shoppers. These store-brand products are often comparable in quality to name brands but come at a significantly lower price. From canned tomatoes to frozen berries to cooking oil, Kirkland Signature products can help you get the most out of your benefits.
Costco's Food Court and SNAP Benefits
One common question is whether you can use SNAP benefits at Costco's food court. Unfortunately, the answer is generally no. Costco's food court items — including the famous $1.50 hot dog combo, pizza, and chicken bake — are considered prepared foods and are not eligible for SNAP purchase under USDA guidelines.
The distinction is that SNAP benefits are intended for food that will be prepared at home, not for ready-to-eat meals. While this may be disappointing for some shoppers, the restriction applies to all retailers, not just Costco. However, some states have obtained waivers from the USDA that allow certain homeless, elderly, or disabled SNAP recipients to use their benefits for prepared foods, so it's worth checking the rules in your state.
Online Shopping with SNAP at Costco
As of the latest updates, Costco does accept EBT/SNAP payments for online grocery orders through its Instacart partnership in select areas. The USDA has been expanding its online purchasing pilot program, allowing SNAP recipients to use their benefits for online grocery orders at participating retailers. If this option is available in your area, it can be a convenient way to shop at Costco without leaving your home.
To use SNAP benefits for online Costco orders, you'll need to set up an account with the delivery platform and add your EBT card as a payment method. Keep in mind that delivery fees and tips cannot be paid with SNAP benefits, so you'll need an alternative payment method for those charges.
In conclusion, Costco is a SNAP-friendly retailer that offers excellent value for EBT cardholders willing to invest in a membership. By shopping strategically and focusing on bulk staples, you can significantly stretch your SNAP dollars and keep your family well-fed with quality food from Costco.
