Does Marukai Market Take EBT In 2024? (All You Need To Know)

With 14 stores in the United States, Marukai Market is a popular Japanese grocery store chain that specializes in Asian food items. But is EBT accepted as a method of payment?

No, Marukai Market does not take EBT. Marukai is not affiliated with any government assistance programs and does not accept EBT cards as payment.

While it may be disappointing to some, there are plenty of other stores that accept EBT cards. In fact, most major grocery store chains accept EBT cards for payment. So, if you’re looking to use your EBT card to purchase food or other necessities, you should have no problem finding a store that will accept it.

What Payment Methods Does Marukai Market Accept?

Although Marukai Market does not accept EBT funds at this time, the company accepts several other forms of payment. 

For example, here is a list of payment forms you can use for Marukai Market purchases::

• Cash
• Google Pay
• Apple Pay
• Samsung Pay
• Visa Gift Cards
• Major Credit/Debit cards
• Checks
• Gift certificates

What Items Can You Buy With EBT?

You can use EBT to buy the following items:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Cereals
• Meat, fish, and poultry
• Snack foods
• Dairy products like cheese and butter
• Non-alcoholic beverages
• Bread
• Plants and seeds that produce food for households

What Items Can’t You Buy With EBT?

As per the guidelines, these are the items you cannot buy with your EBT card:

• Medicines
• Household supplies
• Pet foods
• Alcoholic drinks
• Vitamins
• Soaps, paper products
• Hot foods
• Foods that are eaten in the store

Types of Food Stamp Benefits

SNAP Benefits

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, provides low-income households with food assistance. Eligible households can receive SNAP benefits to help pay for groceries.

To be eligible for SNAP, households must meet certain income and resource criteria. Income limits vary by household size, and resources include bank accounts, cash, stocks, and bonds. 

Households that are eligible for other means-tested programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program automatically qualify for SNAP benefits.

In order to receive SNAP benefits, households must submit an application to their local social service agency. Once approved, households will receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card which can be used to purchase food at participating grocery stores and farmers markets.

TANF Benefits

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a program that provides additional assistance to low-income families.

The TANF portion of the EBT card may be used on non-food items, including cleaning supplies and party supplies

How Do I Know I Am Eligible for an EBT Card?

Your eligibility for SNAP/ EBT benefits is determined by the following:

• Gross monthly income at or below 130% of the poverty line.
• The household assets must not be more than $2500 in value for households without an elder or living with a disability.
• The net income must be at or below the poverty line

In a house with such dependents, the assets must be less than $3500.

The following persons are not eligible for SNAP benefits:

• Persons on strike
• Certain classes of legal immigrants
• Undocumented immigrants

If you are an adult without a disability or kids in the household, you can only receive benefits for three months at a time.

Where Can You Use EBT Online?

It’s important to know that not all retailers accept EBT cards for online purchases. However, there are a number of major retailers that do accept EBT cards for online shopping.

• Aldi
• Walmart
• ShopRite
• Kroger
• Wright’s Markets
• Wegmans
• Fresh Direct
• Amazon
• Instacart
• Food lion
• Safeway
• Publix
• BJs Wholesale Club

If you’re unsure whether or not a retailer accepts EBT cards, it’s always best to call or check their website before attempting to make a purchase.

Second, even if a retailer does accept EBT cards for online purchases, there may be some restrictions on what you can buy.

How to Pay Online With EBT

To pay online with EBT,

Look 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 input your EBT card details along with your PIN just like you would a regular credit or debit card.

You can save your details and use your card as one of your regular payment methods on subsequent purchases.

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.

Do Cashiers Know I’m on Welfare if I Use My EBT Card?

A cashier will know you’re receiving government assistance. The card itself clearly says EBT on the front of it, in large letters.

When you run the card, the cashier will also have to select the account you’re using, SNAP or cash.

While this may not be something that is openly discussed, it is definitely something that they are aware of. For some people, this can be a source of embarrassment or shame. 

However, it is important to remember that cashiers are just doing their job and they are not judging you. There is no need to feel ashamed or embarrassed about using your EBT card.

FAQs

Conclusion

Unfortunately, Marukai Market does not accept EBT or SNAP benefits to pay for items on the imported Japanese items platform. However, customers can still use contactless payments, cash and all major US credit to pay for items.