Yes, Sam’s Club takes food stamps. Every warehouse location in the United States, including Puerto Rico, accepts SNAP EBT cards at the register and through the Scan & Go app.1Sam’s Club. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program at Sam’s Club Two things to know before you go: you need a paid membership, and EBT works only for in-club purchases, not for SamsClub.com orders or curbside pickup.2Sam’s Club. Accepted Payment Methods – Sam’s Club
You Still Have to Pay for the Membership
A Club membership runs $50 per year and Plus is $110. You cannot pay either fee with SNAP because a membership is not food. Cash, debit, or credit only. Federal law does not require Sam’s Club to waive the fee for SNAP participants.
Sam’s Club offers a free online-only guest membership, but it does not work for in-club shopping, and since EBT is only accepted in the club, the guest tier will not get you anywhere with food stamps.3Sam’s Club. Guest Membership A full paid membership is the only way in.
What You Can Buy With EBT at the Warehouse
The same federal rules that govern SNAP everywhere apply inside Sam’s Club. Eligible items include:4Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 7 USC 2012 Definitions
- Bread, cereal, rice, pasta, and other grains
- Fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter
- Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
- Seeds and plants that produce food for your household
The food has to be intended for home consumption. That last part is where warehouse shoppers hit surprises.
What You Cannot Buy With EBT
Plenty of what Sam’s Club sells sits right next to groceries but is not SNAP-eligible:5Food and Nutrition Service. What Can SNAP Buy?
- Beer, wine, and liquor
- Tobacco
- Hot prepared foods sold hot at the point of sale
- Cleaning products, paper towels, soap, and other household supplies
- Pet food
- Vitamins, medicines, and supplements
- Hygiene items and cosmetics
The hot food rule catches people. A rotisserie chicken pulled hot from the deli counter is not eligible, because federal law excludes “hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption.”4Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 7 USC 2012 Definitions The same chicken, cooled and shelved in the refrigerated case, generally is. Café items like a hot pizza slice are out for the same reason.
Protein Powders, Shakes, and Energy Drinks: Check the Label
Whether a nutrition product qualifies comes down to what is printed on the back. A “Nutrition Facts” label makes it food and SNAP-eligible. A “Supplement Facts” label makes it a supplement and ineligible.6Food and Nutrition Service. SNAP Retailer Notice – Allowable Items Flip the container over before you add it to your cart.
How to Pay With EBT at the Register
Swipe your EBT card at the card reader and enter your PIN. The system checks your available balance instantly through your state’s processing network.7eCFR. 7 CFR 274.8 – Functional and Technical EBT System Requirements
If your cart has both eligible and ineligible items, the register splits the payment on its own. Your EBT card is charged for the SNAP-eligible food, and you cover the rest with cash, debit, or credit.
Scan & Go
Sam’s Club’s Scan & Go mobile checkout accepts EBT at every location. Add your card in the app and select it at digital checkout. There is a $1,500 per-transaction limit and a $3,000 daily limit.8Sam’s Club. Scan and Go
No EBT for Online Orders or Curbside Pickup
SNAP cannot be used on SamsClub.com or for curbside pickup, because those orders are paid for online and EBT is only accepted for in-club transactions.1Sam’s Club. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program at Sam’s Club To use your benefits, shop inside the warehouse.
Sales Tax
You will not be charged state or local sales tax on food paid for with SNAP.1Sam’s Club. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program at Sam’s Club Federal rules bar states from taxing SNAP purchases.9eCFR. 7 CFR 272.1 – General Terms and Conditions On a mixed-payment cart, only the portion paid with EBT is tax-exempt; the items you pay for with another method may still be taxed at your state’s normal rate.
Returns
Food purchased with an EBT card can be returned or exchanged for the same product within 90 days, and the refund goes back to your SNAP EBT account.1Sam’s Club. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program at Sam’s Club Cash refunds, store credit, and gift cards are not allowed for SNAP returns; giving a customer cash back for a SNAP purchase is treated as trafficking under federal rules.10Food and Nutrition Service. SNAP Retailer Notice – Sales Tax, Fees, and Refunds
What About WIC
Sam’s Club does not accept WIC.1Sam’s Club. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program at Sam’s Club WIC is a separate program, and its benefits have to be used at an authorized WIC retailer, which is usually a regular grocery store rather than a warehouse club. Your state WIC agency, or fns.usda.gov/wic, can point you to authorized vendors.