Does Natural Grocers Take EBT? (Updated for 2024)

With over 160 stores across the United States, Natural Grocers is popular for purchasing natural and organic groceries. But is EBT accepted as a method of payment?

The answer is yes, Natural Grocers does accept EBT as a valid method of payment. For more information about using your EBT card in-store, read the article below.

How To Use Your EBT Card At Natural Grocers

Using your EBT card at Natural Grocers couldn’t be easier. The process is very much the same as in any other grocery store. Here’s a short guide to help you out.

First, you will need to present your EBT card and ID to the cashier when you are ready to check out. They will then run your card through the system and give you a total amount due.

Next, you will need to tell the cashier how much money you would like to spend from your EBT account. They will then deduct that amount from your total.

Finally, it is important to remember that you can only use your EBT card at participating stores. Natural Grocers is a participating store, so you can use your card there without any problems.

What Items Can You Buy With EBT at Natural Grocers?

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 Natural Grocers?

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

Natural Grocers Other Payment Options

Natural Grocers offers customers a variety of other ways to pay for their purchases including.

• Mastercard
• Amex
• Visa
• Discover
• Cash

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

So there you have it. Natural Grocers accepts EBT in-store as a valid method of payment for SNAP-eligible items. 

However, to ensure that your local Natural Grocers EBT, you can use their Store Finder (accessible through the homepage of their website) for contact information. Call the store to confirm if EBT is a valid payment method there; the answer will likely be yes.