Wondering if you can use your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to shop at Aldi? With rising food costs, pairing Aldi’s low prices with SNAP benefits can help stretch your grocery budget even further. But does this popular discount grocery store allow customers to pay with food stamps both online and in stores?
The short answer is yes – Aldi accepts EBT cards for payment at all store locations and also enables SNAP recipients to use benefits for online grocery delivery and pickup orders. Keep reading this in-depth guide to understand exactly how EBT and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits work at Aldi stores, what food stamp eligible items you can purchase, how to place EBT online orders, special payment options like Aldi gift cards, plus tips and tricks for getting the most out of SNAP when shopping at this grocery favorite.
In this blog post, we’ll cover key questions like:
- Does Aldi accept EBT cards in-store for purchasing groceries?
- What food and grocery items can you buy with SNAP benefits at Aldi?
- Can you use EBT SNAP for Aldi grocery delivery orders placed online?
- How does paying for online orders work with EBT benefits through Instacart?
- What other payment types like gift cards does Aldi take?
- What are the pros of using your food stamps at discount retailer Aldi?
- Frequently asked questions about using EBT SNAP at Aldi
- Tips for saving money on groceries with EBT benefits at Aldi
Let’s dive in and explain everything SNAP recipients need to know about using government assistance funds when grocery shopping at affordable supermarket Aldi!
Does Aldi Take EBT Cards In-Store?
Yes, you can use your EBT card at any Aldi store across the country to purchase food stamp eligible items. SNAP is accepted as a form of payment along with major credit cards.
Aldi has over 2,300 locations across 38 states. And every single one allows customers to check out using an EBT SNAP card, making it easy to shop its trademark discounted groceries on a budget.
When checking out after grocery shopping at Aldi, SNAP users should separate EBT-eligible items from non-eligible items on the conveyor belt. Ring these up separately and when it comes time to pay, insert your SNAP EBT card into the card reader, enter your PIN, and specify which account (SNAP or cash) to debit for that portion of the order total.
This allows the transaction to adhere to rules regarding what can and cannot be purchased using SNAP aid.
What Food Items Can You Buy With EBT at Aldi?
Wondering what grocery staples your food stamps EBT card covers at Aldi? Here is a quick list so that you can shop Aldi worry-free:
- Fruits and vegetables – Includes fresh, frozen or canned
- Meat, poultry, fish – Such as turkey, tuna, salmon, pork
- Eggs and dairy products – Milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.
- Breads and cereals
- Rice, pasta, other grains
- Juices and non-alcoholic drinks
- Snack foods
- Seeds and plants for growing food – Like tomato seedlings
As long as the items are not hot or prepared meals, do not have nutritional supplement facts labels, and otherwise follow SNAP guidelines – you should be all set to purchase them with your EBT benefits at Aldi without any issues.
What Items Can’t Be Purchased With SNAP Benefits at Aldi?
Of course there are restrictions on what your EBT food stamps can buy at Aldi or any retailer that accepts payments from government aid programs.
Here are examples of products that would require another form of payment when checking out after grocery shopping at Aldi, even with EBT SNAP:
- Alcohol – Wine, beer, spirits
- Tobacco – Cigarettes or similar products
- Vitamins and medicines – Including supplements
- Live animals – Unless seafood/fish
- Hot foods – Anything like rotisserie chicken
- Plus non-food items altogether – Such as household/cleaning supplies, cosmetics, pet foods, etc.
Aldi cashiers can split payments during checkout to account for non-SNAP eligible items when shopping with EBT benefits.
Does Aldi Accept EBT/SNAP Online Orders?
Beyond in-store purchases, Aldi also allows online EBT and SNAP payments thanks to a partnership with Instacart. So you can enjoy same day grocery delivery straight to your doorstep from Aldi without even leaving home.
To use EBT SNAP online with Aldi:
- Sign up for an Instacart account and add your EBT card details under payment methods
- Shop on Aldi’s Instacart store page and pick eligible grocery items
- Check out and specify amount of SNAP balance to allocate
- Pay any fees for Instacart service or tips separately
Then groceries will arrive at your doorstep courtesy of Instacart’s shopper team within the delivery timeframe selected!
Over 1,700 Aldi locations across 37 states plus Washington D.C. allow EBT online orders through its Instacart integration. This online grocery delivery and pickup convenience helps expands resources available to SNAP recipients.
As of summer 2022, there were 49 states providing broader access to groceries via online EBT programs through various participating retailers.
How Does Paying for Aldi Grocery Delivery With EBT Benefits Work?
Let’s walk through step-by-step how EBT SNAP cardholders can order Aldi groceries online for same day delivery using government food assistance funds:
Step 1) Browse to Instacart’s Aldi store online
Step 2) Add desired eligible grocery products to your cart
Step 3) View cart and checkout when ready
Step 4) Log into your Instacart account
Step 5) Select the EBT SNAP card saved under payment methods
Step 6) Enter your card PIN
Step 7) Specify amount of EBT balance to allocate
This will pay for the actual grocery order total. But keep in mind that other supplemental fees from Instacart for delivery services, tips, etc. cannot be paid for with EBT SNAP.
So you will also need to add a secondary payment method or select cash payment upon delivery to cover those costs not eligible based on program guidelines.
Once everything is squared away payment-wise, confirm your order! Then just choose your delivery window and Aldi’s online groceries will arrive safely via Instacart straight to your address.
Other Ways to Pay at Aldi Like Gift Cards When Using EBT
If you want to allocate EBT SNAP funds solely to actual groceries themselves or require another payment method for non-eligible items when grocery shipping at Aldi, here are some options:
Get an Aldi Gift Card
Considering pairing your EBT benefits with one of Aldi’s discount gift cards to cover service fees that government aid can’t pay for.
You can purchase an Aldi gift card using your excess cash assistance balance or other payment methods. Many can be bought discounted online. Gift card values range from $5 to $500.
Use the gift card details stored in your Instacart account to take care of non-grocery costs from Aldi orders like taxes, tips, and delivery charges when you checkout your digital cart.
Having an Aldi gift card as a backup ensures your entire online grocery order can be placed smoothly every time.
Debit Cards, Credit Cards, and Cash
Of course where EBT SNAP is not allowed at Aldi, regular payment methods kick in. This includes major credit cards and debit cards.
Aldi also accepts good old cash payments which can help cover a gratuity for your super helpful Instacart delivery driver if you want to tip them for reliably bringing your order with a smile.
Having a debit card, some cash, or a credit card on hand gives flexibility in instances when not everything you’re grocery shopping for qualifies for SNAP assistance.
Benefits of Using EBT at Discount Retailer Aldi
There are awesome perks around routing your government food assistance funds through retailers accepting EBT payments versus only shopping with SNAP at corner bodegas with markup prices or stores with limited healthy options.
Aldi offers awesome advantages like:
- Ultra-low grocery prices – Saving extra money is the whole mission behind this famous German discount chain!
- Highest quality products – 90% of stocked items are award-winning and meet premium standards usually only seen from pricier brands
- Fresh healthy staples – Lots of organic meats, dairy, produce, and pantry goods stocked weekly
- Easy curbside pickup – Many locations offer this in addition to grocery delivery through Instacart
Beyond saving money using EBT SNAP here, you’re also getting fantastic value purchasing groceries thanks to Aldi’s commitment to affordable costs for premium food. It’s a win-win!
And the option to shop online for delivery or visit a clean local store for self-service checkout makes Aldi a great retailer for convenience too, even when leveraging EBT.
FAQs About Using SNAP EBT Cards at Aldi Locations
Still have some lingering questions about how Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits work for purchasing groceries at Aldi?
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Can You Use EBT SNAP Cards At Self-Checkout In Aldi Stores?
Yes! When grocery shopping inside Aldi locations, EBT SNAP shoppers can use self-service registers to scan items and check out autonomously using benefits just like any other customer.
Aldi staff confirms the store computer systems are equipped to process EBT payments at self-checkout similarly to traditional cashier lanes. So feel free to skip lines and enjoy quick convenience ringing up eligible items yourself.
What If You Need To Buy Some Non-EBT Eligible Items From Aldi Too?
No worries! During the payment phase at checkout, simply let the cashier know you’ll need to divide the order between SNAP eligible groceries and other non-covered items.
You would use your EBT card for the approved goods total. Then to purchase anything else not authorized, separately enter a debit/credit card, gift card, or cash.
Aldi train staff on proper EBT transaction processing so this mixed payment scenario following program guidelines for what SNAP can cover is seamless.
Does Aldi Accept Other Government Assistance Programs Like WIC?
Unfortunately Aldi does not currently process WIC payments at this time. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children benefits are not enabled as a payment method.
But some grocery delivery services similar to Instacart may eventually partner with government programs beyond SNAP EBT to bring WIC online as well down the road! Until then just stick with retail locations for using those state-specific assistance funds.
Tips for Using Food Stamp Benefits at Aldi
And lastly, here are some handy tips for saving money with EBT SNAP at Aldi grocery stores:
- Load manufacturer and store coupons onto your Aldi account via their app to combine with EBT discounts
- Shop Aldi Finds clearance aisle for major deals to stretch food stamp funds
- Consider Aldi grocery pickup rather than paying delivery fees where available
- Grab an Aldi quarter on your way in to rent a cart and get your coin back upon return
- Bring reusable bags to skip bagging charges and help the environmental
- Purchase gift cards when possible to supplement SNAP and cover service fees
- Compare prices between items as sometimes cheaper generic brands are just as good!
The Bottom Line: Yes! Aldi Gladly Accepts EBT Cards Nationwide
To wrap it up – thanks to Aldi’s partnership with Instacart, EBT cardholders can save money using SNAP both online and in stores when grocery shopping for essentials at this expanding discount market favorite known for affordable prices on premium quality food.
So withdraw your government food assistance funds worry-free and head to your local Aldi store or log into their Instacart portal to order fresh groceries on a budget delivered conveniently to your door!
