Does Costco Take EBT? What You Can and Cannot Buy
Yes, Costco does take EBT at its U.S. warehouse locations. Members who are on SNAP benefits can pay for eligible food items inside Costco using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card as they would at other grocery stores.
It can get a little tricky because Costco doesn’t just sell food. Meat can be in the same cart with paper towels, shampoo or some other household item, and milk and cereal can be in the same cart as well. Items that are accepted at Costco by your EBT card may not be covered by it.
Also, there are differences between shopping in a warehouse, ordering online through Costco.com and Costco Same-Day. Therefore, it is better to know where SNAP benefits are accepted before heading to the Costco.
On this page
- Does Costco Take EBT?
- What Can You Buy With EBT at Costco?
- What Can't You Buy With EBT at Costco?
- Can You Pay for Part of a Costco Order With EBT?
- Does Costco Take EBT Online?
- Do You Need a Costco Membership to Use EBT?
- Does Costco Business Center Accept EBT?
- Does Costco Food Court Take EBT?
- Does Costco Take EBT at the Gas Station?
- Can You Use EBT at Costco Self-Checkout?
- How to Use an EBT Card at Costco
- One Thing to Remember About State SNAP Rules
- Final Thoughts
Does Costco Take EBT?
Yes, Costco accepts SNAP EBT cards at its U.S. Warehouse stores. While the exact food and groceries you can purchase may vary by state, SNAP says all Costco warehouse locations accept EBT cards for payment.
This means that anyone can go to Costco and make purchases of “qualifying food” and pay for that food with their SNAP balance when they check-out using their EBT card.
EBT is actually the payment system and SNAP is the food benefit that is placed on the card. Although the word is still frequently used, most often people are referring to the same food benefit, SNAP.
Here is the quick version of where EBT works at Costco:
| Costco Area | Can You Use EBT? | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| Costco warehouse | Yes | Only SNAP-eligible food |
| Costco Business Center | Yes | Eligible food rules still apply |
| Costco.com | No | EBT is not listed as a Costco.com payment method |
| Costco Same-Day | Yes | SNAP EBT can be used for eligible items |
| Costco gas station | No | SNAP cannot be used for fuel |
| Costco food court | Usually no | Standard SNAP generally does not cover hot prepared food |
| Costco self-checkout | Depends on location/setup | Use a staffed checkout if EBT is not available |
The main thing to remember is that Costco accepting EBT does not mean every part of Costco accepts it.
What Can You Buy With EBT at Costco?
If an item normally qualifies under SNAP rules, there is good chance you can buy it with the EBT at Costco.
Common examples include:
- fresh fruits and vegetables
- meat
- poultry
- fish
- milk
- cheese and other dairy products
- bread
- cereal
- rice
- pasta
- frozen foods that qualify for SNAP
- snack foods
- non-alcoholic drinks
- other groceries intended to be taken home and eaten
For some SNAP shoppers, however, Costco may be a good choice, as many items are available in bulk sizes. Bulk items such as meat, milk, cereal and rice and frozen foods can be purchased if you have the storage capacity and intend to use them.
However, don’t assume that all food-like products will qualify. There are varying SNAP regulations for products and also, in some states, depending on where you reside.
Some states are also beginning to impose other restrictions on some products, if the EBT card doesn’t accept a product that you think should be accepted, the problem may be the SNAP rules, and not Costco itself.
What Can’t You Buy With EBT at Costco?
Many items offered at Costco are not food items and can’t be purchased with SNAP.
You normally cannot use SNAP EBT for:
- alcohol
- tobacco
- gasoline
- paper towels
- toilet paper
- cleaning products
- shampoo and other personal-care items
- pet food
- household supplies
- cosmetics
- vitamins and supplements that do not qualify as food
- hot prepared food meant to be eaten right away
This is where Costco can feel a little different from a regular grocery store. You might have a giant bag of rice sitting beside laundry detergent and a pack of batteries in the same cart.
The register can separate the eligible food from everything else, so you do not need to make two completely different shopping trips.
Can You Pay for Part of a Costco Order With EBT?
Yes. A mixed cart is normal.
Let’s say your Costco cart looks like this:
| Item | EBT Likely Applies? |
|---|---|
| Milk | Yes |
| Fresh chicken | Yes |
| Bread | Yes |
| Frozen vegetables | Yes |
| Paper towels | No |
| Shampoo | No |
| Gasoline | No |
Your SNAP balance can pay for the eligible food items, while you use another accepted payment method for the rest of the purchase.
That is useful because you do not need to stand there sorting your cart into “EBT stuff” and “everything else” before checkout. The system identifies eligible items and charges the correct amount.
It is still worth looking at your receipt afterward. It gives you a clear idea of what was paid from SNAP and what came from your other payment method.
Does Costco Take EBT Online?
This one needs a little explanation because Costco.com and Costco Same-Day are not the same thing.
Costco’s normal website does not currently list EBT as an accepted payment method for Costco.com orders.
Costco Same-Day is different. Same-Day grocery delivery is powered through Instacart and SNAP EBT can be used for eligible items there where the service supports it.
So the simple version is:
| Shopping Method | EBT |
|---|---|
| Costco.com | No EBT payment listed |
| Costco Same-Day | Yes, for qualifying SNAP items |
This is why saying “Costco does not take EBT online” is a little too broad now. It depends on which Costco shopping service you are using.
If you are trying to order groceries with SNAP instead of going to the warehouse, Costco Same-Day is the option worth checking first.
Do You Need a Costco Membership to Use EBT?
Yes, normal Costco membership rules still apply.
Having an EBT card does not automatically give you warehouse access and it does not replace your Costco membership card. Members still have to use their membership when entering and checking out under Costco’s normal rules.
There are sometimes posts online about getting a “free Costco membership with EBT” but SNAP eligibility by itself does not mean Costco gives you a free membership.
So if you want to shop regularly at a Costco warehouse using EBT, you should still expect to need a Costco membership.
Does Costco Business Center Accept EBT?
Costco says its warehouse locations accept EBT, and Costco Business Centers operate as Costco warehouse locations as well.
The bigger difference with a Business Center is the inventory. They tend to carry more products aimed at restaurants, offices and small businesses, often in larger quantities.
SNAP rules do not suddenly change just because you are at a Business Center. An eligible food item can qualify, while non-food business supplies will not.
If you are shopping for bulk food, though, a Business Center can have a pretty different selection from a normal Costco.
Does Costco Food Court Take EBT?
To receive SNAP benefits, you typically should not use EBT in the Costco food court.
SNAP generally does not pay for “hot food” (that is, food that is prepared and sold to be eaten right away). This includes items such as a hot dog, slice of pizza or other hot food-court item that is not a typical SNAP purchase.
In some states there are special programs known as Restaurant Meals Programs that can alter where some eligible individuals use their benefits at an approved restaurant, but it doesn’t mean a Costco food court is eligible for the program in every state.
An EBT card that works at the warehouse for food doesn’t necessarily work at the food court.
If you plan to pay for food court items another way, check the Costco food court hours first, since it often opens and closes at different times than the warehouse.
Does Costco Take EBT at the Gas Station?
No. You cannot use SNAP benefits to buy gasoline at Costco.
Costco gas stations accept their own payment methods, but SNAP EBT is for eligible food purchases, not fuel.
This one is pretty straightforward. Even if gas station is attached to the same Costco warehouse where you just used your EBT card for groceries, the gas purchase is separate.
You will need a credit card or Costco Shop Card at the pump. Opening and closing times for fuel are listed on our Costco gas station hours page.
Can You Use EBT at Costco Self-Checkout?
This one can depend on the particular warehouse and how its self-checkout terminals are set up.
Costco has self-service checkouts at some stores, but there’s no one-size-fits-all national guideline for how each self-checkout terminal processes an EBT.
If the terminal offers the choice of using EBT for the payment, then follow the directions on the screen. If it doesn’t, request help from an employee or go to a staffed register.
How to Use an EBT Card at Costco
Paying with EBT at Costco is not much different from using it at another grocery store.
The normal process is:
- Use your Costco membership card as usual.
- Shop for the groceries and other items you need.
- Go to checkout.
- Select or tell the cashier you are paying with EBT.
- Swipe or insert your EBT card as required.
- Enter your EBT PIN.
- Let the SNAP balance cover the eligible food.
- Use another payment method for anything that SNAP does not cover.
You do not need to guess the exact dollar amount of eligible food before checkout. The register handles that part.
Before you go, look up your nearest Costco and its hours. Weekday mornings are usually the quietest time to shop, which makes checkout with EBT a lot less rushed.
If your SNAP balance is lower than the total amount of eligible food, you can also use another payment method for the remaining balance.
One Thing to Remember About State SNAP Rules
Costco may accept EBT nationwide at its U.S. warehouses, but SNAP rules are not always identical in every state.
The broad categories are similar, but states can receive approval for additional restrictions. That means a product that used to qualify everywhere may not always be treated exactly the same under every state’s current rules.
So if you want to buy a specific unusual product, it is worth checking your state’s current SNAP rules rather than relying on an old list from the internet.
For normal grocery basics like meat, dairy, bread, fruits and vegetables, the rules are much easier to understand.
Final Thoughts
Yes, Costco takes EBT at its U.S. warehouse locations, and you can use SNAP benefits to pay for qualifying groceries such as meat, milk, bread, vegetables and many other foods.
The key thing to remember is where you are shopping. Costco warehouses accept EBT, Costco Same-Day supports SNAP purchases for qualifying items, while Costco.com does not currently list EBT as a normal payment method. Gas also is not covered, and standard SNAP benefits usually cannot be used for hot Costco food-court meals.
If your cart contains both food and non-food products, that is fine. Use EBT for the qualifying groceries and another payment method for the rest.