How to Order a Cake Online with EBT: A Comprehensive Guide
Ordering a cake online with EBT is a convenient way to celebrate a special occasion without breaking the bank. However, it’s important to note that not all online retailers accept EBT.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: To order a cake online with EBT, first, you’ll need to find a retailer that accepts EBT payments online.
Once you’ve found a retailer, you can add the cake to your cart and proceed to checkout.
When you reach the checkout page, enter your EBT card information and PIN. Once your payment has been processed, your cake will be shipped to your door.
In this article, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to order a cake online with EBT, as well as a list of retailers that accept EBT payments online.
What is EBT?
EBT, which stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer, is a system that allows state welfare departments to issue food assistance benefits electronically.
It works similarly to a debit card and allows recipients to purchase food and grocery items from authorized retailers.
The EBT system is used in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. It has replaced the old food stamp program, which relied on paper coupons.
EBT aims to provide a more efficient, secure, and convenient way for participants to redeem their benefits. The transition to EBT was completed nationwide by 2004.
What types of food items are eligible for purchase with EBT?
With an EBT card, you can buy most food items from grocery stores, supermarkets, farmers markets, co-op food programs, and certain online retailers.
Eligible staple items include:
- Breads and cereals
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meats, fish, poultry, and eggs
- Dairy products
- Bottled water and nonalcoholic beverages
However, you cannot use EBT benefits to buy prepared hot foods, alcoholic beverages, supplements, medicines, pet foods, cleaning supplies, paper products, soaps, or other household items.
Where can I use my EBT card?
You can use your EBT card at any grocery store, supermarket, or farmer’s market that displays a sign indicating they accept EBT or SNAP benefits.
Today, over 278,000 authorized retailers nationwide accept EBT payments.
Increasingly, online grocery delivery services like Amazon, Walmart Grocery, FreshDirect, and Instacart allow EBT cardholders to order food online and get it delivered.
However, EBT benefits cannot be used to pay delivery fees, so you need a separate form of payment for those charges.
How do I use my EBT card?
Using your EBT card is easy – simply swipe your card at the checkout terminal like you would any other debit card.
Choose “EBT” if prompted to select a payment method. Enter your 4-digit PIN.
The purchase amount will be deducted from the SNAP food balance available on your card.
You can check your EBT balance by calling the toll-free number on the back of your card or by setting up online account access. It’s important to track your balance so you know how much you have left to spend each month.
If you have issues using your EBT card at any retailer, call the EBT customer service number on the back of your card right away. They can troubleshoot, suspend your card if it is lost or stolen, and answer any other questions you may have.
How to find a retailer that accepts EBT payments online
Finding a retailer that allows you to use your EBT card online has gotten much easier in recent years.
Here are some tips to locate retailers that accept EBT payments for online grocery orders:
Search online for retailers that accept EBT
The easiest way is to simply search “online grocery delivery EBT” or “EBT online.” Major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Safeway, and Aldi have online EBT payment options.
You can check lists of EBT online retailers at sites like SNAP’s Online Purchasing Pilot and California’s EBT Online Purchasing page.
Websites like ebtEDGE allow you to enter your zip code to see a list of retailers that accept EBT online in your area. This is a quick way to find available options.
Check the retailer’s website or customer service department to confirm that they accept EBT payments online
Once you’ve found some potential online retailers that may accept EBT, double-check on their official website or contact their customer service line to confirm.
Many major retailers like Walmart and Amazon have clear instructions on their websites for how to checkout with EBT online. Looking at the website’s help section or FAQs is often the quickest way to get confirmation before you start shopping.
You can also call customer service and ask if they accept EBT SNAP payments for online orders. This extra step protects you from finding out at the last minute that a retailer you thought accepted EBT doesn’t.
With more places offering EBT online every day, some research makes it easy to find retailers that suit your needs and allow you to get groceries delivered or pickup orders paid with your benefits.
Just remember to always verify the payment methods before checkout.
How to order a cake online with EBT
Add the cake to your cart
Ordering a cake online with your EBT card is a piece of 🍰!
First, browse the cakes on the bakery website and find one you love. When you locate the perfect cake for your occasion, click “Add to Cart.”
Most sites will allow you to select the cake size, frosting flavors, fillings, and decorations. Customize your cake until it’s ideal for you. Then proceed to checkout.
Proceed to checkout
After adding your scrumptious cake to the cart, it’s time to proceed to checkout. Look for the checkout button or cart icon at the top right of the screen. This will take you to the checkout page.
First, you may need to create an account by entering your name, email address, and password. Then, enter the delivery address where you want the cake shipped.
Enter your EBT card information and PIN
Now comes the most important part – paying with your EBT card!
Look for the payment section and choose the EBT or food stamps option.
You’ll need to enter your 16-digit EBT card number and 4-digit PIN. This is the same card number and PIN you use at the grocery store.
Double check that all the digits are correct. Then, submit your EBT card info to pay for the order.
According to the USDA, cakes are eligible EBT purchases as long as they don’t contain alcohol or decorative inedibles.
Review your order and click “Place Order”
You’re almost done!
The last step is to review your full order details and click “Place Order.” Check that the cake specifications, delivery date, recipient name, and address are all accurate.
Also confirm the order total matches your remaining EBT balance, which should be displayed. If everything looks good, click the button to finalize your order!
You’ll receive an order confirmation email with tracking info. Now just await the delivery of your scrumptious EBT-paid cake!
List of retailers that accept EBT payments online
Amazon
Amazon offers EBT cardholders the ability to purchase groceries online in select states through their SNAP EBT program.
After creating an Amazon account, EBT recipients can add their SNAP EBT card and place grocery orders for delivery.
Amazon accepts EBT for grocery purchases in Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, New York, Oregon, and Washington. This convenient service allows SNAP recipients to shop for nutritious food while saving time and transportation costs.
As of October 2023, Amazon delivers EBT groceries in over 90 ZIP codes across these 7 states.
Walmart
Walmart grocery pickup and delivery services accept EBT card payments in all 47 states where online EBT is enabled by the USDA.
After creating a Walmart account, EBT cardholders can add their EBT card as a payment method.
Groceries such as fresh produce, meat and dairy, canned goods, and other SNAP-eligible staples can be ordered online and either picked up at a store or delivered. This service increased food access for EBT households during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Walmart, EBT cardholders can save up to 50% on delivery fees when ordering groceries online.
Target
In April 2021, Target began accepting EBT SNAP online payments for grocery pickup and delivery orders in select states.
As of October 2023, SNAP EBT cards can be used to pay for Target grocery orders placed through the website or mobile app in Alabama, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, Oregon, Texas and Washington.
After adding an EBT card to their Target account, customers can shop for eligible grocery items online and choose free Order Pickup or same day Delivery.
Target accepts both EBT SNAP and EBT Cash benefits cards. This service makes nutritious food from Target more convenient for EBT households.
Kroger
Kroger grocery delivery and pickup services accept EBT SNAP payments in many states. After creating an account, EBT cardholders can shop for EBT-eligible foods on Kroger sites and apps.
As of fall 2023, Kroger delivers groceries purchased with SNAP EBT cards in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Kroger also accepts EBT SNAP for grocery order pickup in additional states. Kroger’s partnership with Instacart even waives delivery fees on EBT orders over $35.
Offering online EBT payment makes nutritious Kroger groceries more accessible.
Safeway
Safeway grocery delivery via Instacart accepts EBT SNAP payments for groceries in select states.
After adding an EBT card to their Instacart account, customers can shop Safeway’s selection of fresh produce, pantry staples, dairy items and other eligible foods online.
As of October 2023, Safeway EBT grocery delivery is available in Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, and Washington D.C. Safeway does not currently accept EBT cards for grocery order pickup.
By offering EBT payment online, Safeway expands nutrition options for EBT households who face transportation barriers.
Whole Foods Market
In 2021, Whole Foods Market began allowing EBT SNAP benefit cardholders to pay for grocery delivery and pickup orders in select states through Amazon and the Prime EBT program.
As of fall 2023, EBT SNAP recipients can use online payment when ordering groceries from Whole Foods in Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, New York, Oregon and Washington.
This program enables EBT households to access Whole Foods’ high-quality natural and organic produce, grocery items, and pantry staples.
Instacart
The grocery delivery service Instacart accepts EBT SNAP as payment for groceries from participating retailers in certain states and locations.
After creating an Instacart account and adding an EBT card, recipients can shop a variety of grocery stores online and get items delivered same day.
As of October 2023, Instacart offers EBT grocery delivery with stores like Aldi, Food Lion, Price Rite, Shop Rite, ALDI, and Save A Lot in Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington state, Washington D.C. and West Virginia.
Instacart provides a valuable service by bringing groceries purchased with SNAP EBT benefits directly to cardholders’ doors.
Tips for saving money on your online cake order
Shop around for the best prices
The first tip for saving money is to compare prices from different online bakeries. There can be surprising differences in cake prices, so it pays to spend some time browsing options.
Make a list of a few potential bakeries and compare the costs of similarly sized cakes. This comparison shopping can save you quite a bit on your order.
Use coupons and promo codes
Many online bakeries run frequent promotions and have coupons or promo codes that give percentage discounts or free shipping.
Before placing an order, search “[bakery name] promo code” and look on sites like RetailMeNot. You can often find codes for 20% off or more. These codes can lead to huge savings, especially on large orders.
Order a cake from a local bakery
Ordering a cake from a bakery in your city, even if you order online, can be cheaper than a nationwide online retailer. Local bakeries have lower overhead costs, and you save on shipping.
Search for “birthday cakes [your city]” to find options to compare. You can save $10-15 on average this way.
Make your own cake
For the most budget-friendly option, you can bake a cake yourself using a boxed cake mix and basic decorating supplies.
This takes more effort but can cut costs by 50% or more compared to ordering online. And it allows you to customize the cake exactly how you want.
Look up decoration ideas on Pinterest or YouTube to replicate bakery cakes at home.
Conclusion
Ordering a cake online with EBT is a convenient and affordable way to celebrate a special occasion.
By following the steps in this guide, you can easily order a cake from an online retailer that accepts EBT payments.
And, using just a few of these tips when placing an online order can lead to major savings. With a little effort, you can find great deals and still get a beautiful, delicious cake delivered right to your door.
