Does CVS Take EBT? (Your Full Guide)

Does CVS accept food stamps and EBT cards in-store or online as payment methods? If you're having difficulty finding a store that participates in the EBT program, let's consult with an expert to clarify whether CVS is among those that accept EBT cards.

EBT is a card that the federal government offers to eligible people to enable them not only to access healthy basic groceries but also to make shopping more affordable and convenient to better the lifestyle of people from low-income backgrounds. To make it more accessible, most people in the US use EBT cards.

Thus, CVS is among the most reputable and profound pharmacy stores in America; many people online have been asking- Does CVS take EBT cards? Well, that is a good move, and we have done our research in this article. Read it to the end and learn if CVS takes EBT, the eligibility, and products eligible for those restricted to purchase with the EBT card.

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Does CVS Take EBT?

A large number of people are getting confused and seeking to know if CVS is currently engaging in food stamps and accepting EBT cards. The good news is that CVS stores accept EBT cards as a payment method but through SNAP programs or benefits. This service is available in over 6900 stores well spread across the country.

However, we must understand that not all CVS stores participate in the SNAP program, and this means that not all CVS stores accept EBT cards. Hence, we advise our readers to contact them before going shopping at CVS and get clarification on whether they accept the EBT in their stores.

If you are interested in the CVS payment methods, EBT, and food stamps program, then let us read along together. We have researched everything you need to know. Based on our expert findings and verified statistics, here is all you need to know.

CVS Company Policy on EBT Card

CVS features multiple stores that are well-spread across the United States. Most of these stores accept the EBT cards and guarantee access to the SNAP benefits. Thus, you will typically spot the WIC labels in the participating CVS stores that act to guide you in differentiating the products eligible for the EBT as well as the ones prohibited under the SNAP program by the federal government.

Thus, CVS makes it clear that when you select a prohibited item from the store, you must use an alternative payment method as long as the products are not under the SNAP program. Based on the CVS return policy, any items you purchase using the EBT card are eligible for return but within the 90-day standard duration.

Also, keep in mind that CVS does not give customers cash refunds for products returned and purchased using the EBT card. This is because the store will be going against the federal law and guidelines outlined in the SNAP program. In the long run, CVS ends up crediting your EBT cards just in case of the returned eligible products. Some also guarantee customers other options, like selecting identical products and store benefits for getting the gift card.

How to Check If Local CVS Stores take EBT Cards?

One step to purchasing the products from the CVS store through the EBT card is first to ensure that the local store is participating in the food stamps and SNAP benefits. Therefore, this will save you not only the gas but also time and make it even more convenient when shopping from the CVS store. Visiting a store that does not participate in the EBT program is a waste of time unless you are paying with an alternative method.

Thus, we advise our readers first to connect with the local store and inquire if they are acting on the EBT cards and arrange for the shopping spree after that. Get their phone number and ask the technical team if they are offering the SNAP benefits to the targeted store. If you want to locate the local CVS pharmacy or store and get their phone number so you can make a call, it is so easy. Navigate to the CVS official website and use the Store Location Finder feature to find the available CVS stores based at the location.

Still, you can also use online tools like the SNAP Retailer Locator provided by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to find out if a CVS store near you is authorized to accept SNAP EBT cards.

Using an EBT Card to Purchase Products at the CVS Store

Just like the working mechanism of the typical credit and debit cards, so is the way you can use the EBT card at the CVS store. The eligible customer can check out at the customer desk or counter following simple steps as long as you have selected the eligible products based on the WIC labels.

Here are simple steps you need to follow:

Presuming you have already made the selection, head to the operated register and separate the eligible products for the EBT before loading at the checkout.
The cashier will often ring up the food item.
After that, swipe your EBT card on the NFC card reader at the POS counter.
You are also required to enter the PIN of your card and select the specified account, SNAP, to charge your order.
Confirm the transaction by re-entering the PIn on the keyboard if everything is correct at all. Some cashiers as well will also need to check the authenticity by requesting the identification photo to verify the EBT name.
Immediately, they deduce the cash totals for the EBT card; you will get the receipt indicating the current balance on the card and the products purchased.

At this point, you also must understand that most of the CVS stores do not accept EBT card payments when you are using the Self-checkout option. In addition, keep your official receipt safe because it might help you when you have issues with the order, as well as to see the last balance on the card.

Items or products are eligible for the EBT and SNAP programs at CVS stores. According to the SNAP guidelines that are Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, particular products are eligible for purchase using the SNAP program or EBT card at the CVS store. Most of these are the necessary staples for low-income families. Some of these are highlighted below:

Snack food
Fruit and vegetable
Fish, meat, and poultry
Dairy products
Seeds and plants that produce household foods.
Bread and cereals
Non-alcoholic beverages

Understand that CVS is a pharmaceutical store; before you go shopping with the EBT card, start by confirming if they participate in the SNAP program and whether the local store has the groceries listed above. Some CVS stores do not provide the listed products.

Products not eligible for EBT card payment at the CVS store

Still, SNAP guidelines outline the restrictions on the types of products that are ineligible for EBT card payment. Any products that are counted as essential groceries are automatically disqualified from this program. thus, some of the products which are not eligible for SNAP are listed below:-

Pet food,
Cosmetics
Live animals
prepared food
household supplies and cleaning items
vitamins, supplements and medicine
alcoholic drinks like beer, liquor
Cigarettes and tobacco

The list is long, but you can visit the SNAP program under the Federal government to get more highlights.

Alternative Payment Method at CVS

CVS does not accept EBT cards when you are making online purchases. They only take the EBT for in-store purchases. Therefore, there is a need to explore alternative payment methods that CVS accepts, both online, in-store, and at the self-checkout point. Other payment methods that CVS accepts are:-

Discover
Master card
Cash
Visa card
American Express

Note that from the list of payment methods on the website, CVS does not list the EBT card as the official method to use. It is only available at the participating CVS stores.

Other Stores that Accept EBT Cards and Food Stamps

We understand that CVS is a famous pharmaceutical store. Therefore, they don't offer all the product ranges that are eligible for the Food stamps or SNAP program as essential groceries. Thus, if you want to have complete access to the whole product, you must look for other alternative stores that accept EBT as a payment method.

Many stores participate in the SNAP program and accept the EBT. Among these are:

Equally, we make everything simple for you. You can get a full list of all the participating stores in the SNAP program. We recommend using the SNAP Retailer Locator to get the list of the stores that take EBT cards. You can also refer to our other detailed guidelines on the website to read more about using the EBT card.

Conclusion

In conclusion, CVS takes EBT cards in over 6900 stores spread across the United States. However, the service is only available for in-store purchases, and some stores do not participate in the SNAP program. To be sure, contact the Local CVS stores and ask about the eligibility and availability of the SNAP benefit products in the store. CVS is a profound pharmaceutical store and thus doesn't offer all the eligible products. If not, use alternative payment methods or visit the other participating stores to get the essential staples.