With close to 10,000 locations across the United States, CVS has become a go-to for prescription medicine and general merchandise for thousands of people. But, since CVS is so easily accessible, SNAP-reliant families may wonder if the drugstore heavyweights accept EBT as payment?
CVS does accept EBT in more than 6900 of its locations. However, there are still several CVS pharmacies that do not have this payment method facility. Thus, before you head out, it is prudent to call your local CVS to confirm if you can use SNAP benefits. In addition, you can find information about any CVS pharmacy through their store locator.
Keep reading to learn more about what you can buy at CVS with an EBT card and how to use it!
Do All CVS Locations Accept EBT?
Despite accepting SNAP EBT as a valid payment method in over 6900 locations, CVS still has stores where you cannot use these benefits. To save yourself an extra trip (and gas), call the CVS nearest to your location and confirm if you can use your EBT card to pay for eligible items.
Luckily, finding out the contact information for your local CVS is pretty straightforward, thanks to their store locator. You can use this to find the address, phone number, and map to your nearest CVS. Moreover, it also informs you of all the services provided at your selected pharmacy location.
You can use the given number to call ahead and ask about the acceptance of an EBT card in-store. Moreover, you can find further information about stores and retailers (including CVS) through the SNAP State Directory on the USDA website.
Can You Use SNAP EBT for Online Shopping Through CVS?
Even though most of CVS’s physical locations take EBT, the pharmacy does not accept it as a form of payment online. Moreover, you can also not pay with SNAP benefits using the CVS app. Thus, you need to shop in-store to use your SNAP benefits at CVS to get groceries and prescribed medicine under one roof.
Keep in mind that prescribed medicine also cannot be bought with your EBT (More on this below in the article).
What Can You Buy With An EBT Card at CVS?
The most crucial thing to know about the SNAP EBT card is that it can only be used to buy certain products. Thus, even though CVS is first and foremost a pharmacy, you will not be able to purchase prescription medicine or OTC drugs with your EBT card. You can only buy food staples and items with a “Nutrition Facts” label at the back with your SNAP benefits.
Here is a list of eligible items you can buy using SNAP EBT:
- Meat, fish, poultry,
- Vegetables and fruit
- Cereals and bread
- Dairy products
- Non-alcoholic beverages and snack food items
- Plants and seeds used for producing food
You cannot buy alcoholic beverages, tobacco, cigarettes, foods sold hot, household items, cleaning supplies, cosmetics, or anything with a “Supplements Facts” label.
However, your local CVS may not stock all the items you can buy with an EBT card. Thus, it would be best to check the in-store availability of eligible items you want to buy with your SNAP benefits before going to the pharmacy.
You can easily do this by logging onto the CVS website and typing the name of the item you intend to buy in the search bar. Next, click on the “Check Store Availability” option to see which CVS locations have the products in-store near you.
Even though you cannot buy various products and merchandise available at CVS with your EBT card, it is an excellent option to shop with your SNAP benefits since it combines grocery shopping with a pharmacy. Thus, you do not have to make an extra trip to get prescribed medicines.
How to Use SNAP EBT at CVS?
Using the SNAP EBT card is similar to using any debit or credit card at the checkout counter. All you need to do is swipe the card, enter your pin and authenticate the transaction. However, several CVS locations may not allow the usage of the EBT card at self-checkouts.
In case of a low balance on your EBT card or if you wish to purchase ineligible items (like household supplies and supplements), you can make the transaction with an alternative payment method.
Does CVS Take WIC?
CVS accepts WIC at various locations. However, WIC approval differs with each state since they are approved individually. Thus, check the official state government website for WIC-approved stores to learn if your local CVS takes WIC. If you cannot find the list (such as this) for your location, you can contact the State Health Department for the contact information of the WIC director for your state.
Alternatively, you can use the CVS store locator to find contact information for the location nearest to you. Finally, you can call the CVS pharmacy near you to confirm if they accept WIC.
Which Other Pharmacies Accept EBT?
If the CVS store near your location does not accept EBT as a valid payment method, you can buy groceries with SNAP and get medicine (with another payment method) at other pharmacies.
Luckily, most Walgreens locations and all Rite Aid stores also accept EBT.
The Bottom Line
Most CVS stores accept SNAP EBT as a valid payment method. However, there are still a few locations where you cannot purchase staple foods from your EBT card. To ensure which stores accept EBT, you can use the store locator to find information about the CVS pharmacy near you. Once you have the contact information, you can call and ask if the store takes EBT.
Remember that your local CVS may not hold all the eligible items you can buy with your EBT card. Thus, you can check in-store availability for your required purchase using the option on their website. Overall, shopping with your EBT card at CVs is an excellent option since you can buy SNAP-eligible items and prescribed medicine all under one roof.