If you’ve recently received your first EBT card, you may be confused about where you can use it. Does WinCo take EBT? Read on to find out more.
WinCo does accept EBT in most stores across the country. The only places you may not be able to use this form of payment are in the newer establishments, but it won’t be long until even these places accept this method of payment.
Read on to find out more about how to use your EBT card at WinCo, along with other frequently asked questions.
How To Use EBT At WinCo
Using an EBT card at WinCo, or any grocery store for that matter is pretty straightforward. Follow our step-by-step guide below for more information.
Step #1: Scan Your Items
Load your items onto the checkout and wait until the cashier has scanned each product. The cashier may also ask if you would like any cashback.
Step #2: Insert Your EBT Card
If you do not require any cashback, you will need to enter your card into the reader. Once you’re happy with the total amount, you will need to enter your four-digit PIN number.
Step #3: Enter Your PIN
Once you have entered your PIN number, you just need to wait for the screen to authorize your payment. If you cannot remember this number, you will need to contact your local EBT customer service hotline.
What Can You Purchase With EBT At WinCo?
You can purchase a wide variety of products with an EBT card at WinCo such as:
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Bread and cereal
- Fish
- Poultry
- Red Meat (steak, mince)
- Dairy Products (cheese, milk, yogurt)
- Energy drinks (Red Bull, Monster Energy)
- Soft drinks
- Desserts (cakes, cookies, ice cream)
What Items Cannot Be Purchased With An EBT Card At WinCo?
Certain items are prohibited under the SNAP policy. You cannot use your EBT card to purchase the following items:
- Tobacco products
- Alcohol
- Medication
- Cleaning supplies
- Food or drinks that are hot at the point of sale
So why are these items prohibited?
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, otherwise known as EBT, were created to assist families on low incomes by giving them access to nutritious foods. Therefore, it would be rather counterintuitive if EBT could be used to purchase harmful substances or non-food items.
Can I Split Payments When Using EBT?
Yes, you can use your EBT card and another method of payment to pay for your items.
This is a common occurrence when using EBT as you may need to purchase items that are not covered by the SNAP program.
To do this, the cashier will simply split the payment between your EBT card and another payment option which we will mention below.
How Do Refunds Work?
If you want to return items purchased using an EBT card, you will need to bring the item along with your card to any WinCo store.
The cashier will then reimburse your EBT card and the funds should appear on your account right away (but may take a couple of days to appear as a transaction).
You cannot receive a cash refund for items purchased using EBT, so make sure you have your card in your wallet before leaving the house!
Do I Need A Membership Card To Use EBT?
Surprisingly, you do not need to have a WinCo membership card to pay for items using EBT.
Therefore, feel free to shop and pay for items at WinCo without feeling the need to sign up for a membership.
Other Payment Options At WinCo
Popular payment options at WinCo include:
- Cash
- Debit Card
- EBT
Unfortunately, WinCo does not accept payment by credit card. This does seem pretty inconvenient as most people prefer to pay by card these days, however, they may implement this in stores in the near future.
Can I Use My EBT Card If It’s Damaged?
If your card is damaged and you are unable to insert it into the card reader, don’t panic because you can still use it!
In this case, the cashier will manually input your card details, but you will still need to enter the four-digit PIN number.
You may want to order yourself a new one in the meantime to speed up your grocery store visits.
How To Apply For EBT
Applying for EBT is a fairly easy process and does not require much information apart from proof of income and your home address.
To apply for EBT, you must live in the state in which you are applying for EBT, and your income must be within certain limits.
One EBT card will be supplied per household, so it can be used by any person living at that address. You should never give your card to any friends or family members that do not live in the same household as yourself. If a grocery store suspects an EBT card is being fraudulently used, the store manager has the right to withhold your card until proof of ownership is provided.
If your EBT card gets lost or stolen, you should contact your local EBT customer service hotline as soon as possible.
Before You Go
Most WinCo stores do accept EBT as a valid method of payment. Newly opened WinCo stores are the only places that may have a problem accepting this type of payment, which will hopefully change in the near future.
For more information about this, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the WinCo team either through the website or in-store.