Can you use food stamps on amazon fresh

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This post is about how to use CalFresh EBT online at Amazon to shop for groceries for delivery. If you are a California EBT cardholder and are wondering how to use your EBT Card on Amazon, we are here to help. California SNAP EBT recipients can now use their food stamp benefits to purchase eligible groceries online at Amazon.

In this post, we are going to provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to pay with SNAP EBT online at Amazon. Keep reading to find out how to use your EBT card to purchase groceries on Amazon.

To learn about how to shop online with Walmart using California EBT, click here.

We will also cover:

  • EBT Online Purchasing Pilot Program
  • How to Use CalFresh EBT Online at Amazon
  • Guide to Amazon Grocery and Amazon Fresh
  • CalFresh EBT Card FAQs

EBT Online Purchasing Pilot Program

The United States Department of Agriculture, the federal agency that oversees the foods stamps program started the Online Purchasing Pilot in January 2017 with select retailers for the initial launch of the EBT Online Purchasing Pilot.

The first state to actually launch an online EBT program was New York, starting in 2019.

Since New York launched its program, more states have followed.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the USDA expanded the program to include nearly the entire country.

As of August 2021, 47 states and the District of Columbia have been added to the pilot program to allow SNAP recipients the option to shop online with their EBT cards for delivery or pickup.

You can now use your CalFresh EB Card to shop online at the following places in the state of California:

  • ALDI
  • Amazon
  • Food 4 Less
  • FoodMaxx
  • Lucky Supermarkets
  • Rancho San Miguel Markets
  • Save Mart Supermarkets
  • Walmart

As you can see above, Amazon is one of the stores approved for CalFresh EBT shopping online.

For a step-by-step guide on how to add your CalFresh EBT card to Amazon and purchase groceries online for delivery, continue reading below.

How to Use CalFresh EBT Online at Amazon

Here’s how you can use your CalFresh EBT card to buy groceries online from Amazon for Delivery.

Here are the steps to pay for your Amazon Groceries with your EBT Card.

Step 1 – Log into Amazon or Create Account

The first step in the process is to add your EBT card to your Amazon account. Click here to get started.

You will be taken to a page like the one below where you will be required to sign in to your Amazon account, as shown below.

If you do not have an Amazon account, click on the “Create your Amazon account” as shown by the arrow below.

Next, you will then be asked to enter your email address/phone number and password to sign in.

Step 2 – Add your Food Stamps EBT card to Amazon

After you log into your Amazon account, you will be taken to a page like the one below, where you will be asked to enter your SNAP EBT Card Number

Once you enter the requested information, click “Continue” to complete the process.

Step 3 – Shop Amazon Groceries

Now that you have added your EBT card to your Amazon account, you can now shop for groceries on Amazon.

Below are the Amazon grocery options available to you. Click on each to be taken to the grocery page.

  • Amazon Grocery
  • Amazon Fresh

Below is a summary of what you get with Amazon Grocery and Amazon Fresh with your food stamps EBT card.

For the difference between Amazon Grocery and Amazon Fresh, see our FAQs section below.

NOTE: You are not allowed to use your food stamps EBT card to pay for shipping or delivery costs.

Therefore, if you want free delivery, be sure to note the free shipping minimums for each program as stated below.

Amazon Fresh

Here is what you can buy on Amazon Fresh with your EBT Card

  • Groceries and fresh produce
  • Get FREE access to Amazon Fresh when you add your SNAP EBT card
  • Look for items labeled Amazon Fresh
  • Free shipping on eligible orders over $35 (over $50 in select regions)
  • Available in select regions

The video below provides a great explanation of AmazonFresh and how it works.

Go to Amazon Fresh.

Amazon Grocery

Here is what you can buy on Amazon Grocery with your EBT Card

  • Large packs, everyday food
  • SNAP EBT can be used on eligible items that are shipped and sold by Amazon
  • Free shipping on eligible orders over $25

Go to Amazon Grocery.

Step 4 – Enter your EBT PIN to pay

When you are ready to checkout, the final step in the process is to enter your food stamps EBT card pin number to confirm your identity and ownership of the card.

Discounted Amazon Prime Membership

As a CalFresh EBT Cardholder, you can get over 50% OFF Amazon Prime when you sign up with your EBT Card. With the Amazon Prime EBT discount, you can get all the great benefits of Prime at a fraction of the cost.

Also, as an Amazon Prime member, you get FREE shipping on AmazonFresh groceries.

For just $5.99 per month you get all these EBT Amazon Prime benefits:

  • One-Day FREE Shipping on millions of eligible Amazon items
  • Two-Day FREE Shipping on millions of eligible Amazon items
  • Access to instantly stream thousands of Free Movies & TV Shows
  • Access to Unlimited FREE Prime Music streaming
  • FREE 2-Hour Delivery on Prime Now items

CLICK HERE to Sign up and Save with the Amazon Prime Discount for EBT Cardholders.

CalFresh EBT Card FAQs

Here is a list of our most frequently asked about the CalFresh EBT Card. 

Which Restaurants Accept CalFresh EBT?

The CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) allows for elderly and disabled recipients or recipients who are experiencing homeless to use benefits to purchase premade meals at participating restaurants using their EBT card.

Currently, you can use CalFresh EBT at restaurants in 18 counties in California.

The restaurant meals program is active in the following counties:

  • Alameda
  • Fresno
  • Los Angeles
  • Mariposa
  • Monterey
  • Orange
  • Riverside
  • Sacramento
  • San Diego
  • San Luis Obispo
  • San Mateo
  • Santa Clara
  • San Francisco
  • Santa Cruz
  • Siskiyou
  • Tehama
  • Ventura

Also, according to the CDSS, as of September 1, 2021, the RMP has expanded to a statewide program.

Can I use my CalFresh EBT Card to purchase other items at the Farmers’ Market?

Yes, you can use your CalFresh EBT Card to buy SNAP-eligible foods at Farmers Markets, including:

  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products
  • Honey and maple products
  • Jams, jellies, pickles, and sauces
  • Baked goods
  • Seeds and plants that produce food

However, your Market Match coupons/tokens can only be used to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.

SNAP benefits can not be used to purchase: beer, wine, liquor, vitamins or supplements, prepared foods fit for immediate consumption, and hot foods.

For a list of farmers’ markets that take CalFresh EBT, click here.

Can I buy deli food with CalFresh EBT?

You are not allowed to use CalFresh to buy food you can eat at the premises or hot food in general.

You are only allowed to buy food you are taking home to prepare.

Therefore, when it comes to Deli foods, you cannot buy hot food from the deli or prepared foods like mac n cheese, chicken or sandwiches, stuff from the salad bar.

However, you can buy deli meats and cheeses and cold uncooked items from the deli with your CalFresh EBT card as long as you are going to take them home to prepare.

Furthermore, some delis that take CalFresh will display items that are eligible.

I have an issue with my CalFresh EBT Card. Who can I call?

If you are trying to reach CalFresh, you can call the Access Customer Service Center at 1-866-262-9881.

Access assists callers in a number of ways, including:

  • Report changes and updates to case information
  • Find out the status of an application or case
  • Request forms, packets, applications
  • Apply for benefits

How to Use CalFresh EBT Online at Amazon Summary

We hope this post on how to use CalFresh EBT Online at Amazon was helpful.

Questions?

If you have further questions about CalFresh or California EBT Card, please let us know in the comments section below.

Be sure to check out our other articles about CalFresh and CalFresh EBT, including:
Emergency Allotment for CalFresh – Extra Food Stamps for 2021
Free Cell Phones with CalFresh
How to Apply for California P-EBT
California P-EBT Extension for 2020/2021
CalFresh Account Login Help
CalFresh Income Limits for 2021
May 2021 California Extra Allotment

Can you use food stamps to buy stuff on Amazon?

Who is eligible to use SNAP EBT on Amazon? Amazon is part of a pilot run by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to accept SNAP EBT online. Currently, customers with a valid SNAP EBT card in all states except Alaska can use their SNAP funds on Amazon.

How do I use EBT cash on Amazon?

How it works.
Add your SNAP EBT card..
Shop groceries and deals..
Enter your EBT PIN to pay for eligible items..

When did Amazon start accepting EBT?

As of 2022, Amazon is part of a pilot run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to accept SNAP EBT benefits online. According to Amazon, customers with a valid SNAP EBT card in all states except Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana and Montana can use their SNAP benefits on Amazon.

What does snap eligible mean on Amazon?

SNAP-eligible food items have a special label “SNAP EBT eligible.” This label appears after a SNAP participant adds their SNAP EBT card to their Amazon account. Only items shipped and sold by Amazon.com, including Amazon Pantry and Amazon Fresh are eligible for purchasing with SNAP benefits.