Does Aldi Take EBT in 2024? Everything You Need to Know
An estimated 41 million Americans depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to afford groceries. With food prices rising, families are stretching their benefits with discount grocery chains like Aldi. But can you use Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to shop there? Yes, Aldi accepts EBT payments both in-stores and online in 2024.
Key Statistics on EBT Usage
- Over $100 billion in SNAP benefits were redeemed in 2021, equating to $240 per person monthly [1]
- 90% of SNAP benefits go towards staple grocery items like bread, meat, fruits and vegetables [2]
- 58% of SNAP households include children [2]
- Online EBT shopping increased by 43% from 2020 to 2021 [3]
For families relying on food assistance, choosing an affordable grocery store is crucial. With its everyday low prices and quality items, Aldi appeals to many EBT households.
What Food Items Are Eligible for EBT at Aldi?
Aldi accepts EBT cards for purchasing any SNAP-eligible foods, including:
- Fresh produce
- Meat and seafood
- Eggs and dairy
- Breads and grains
- Snack foods
- Sodas and juices
- Pantry staples
| Eligible Food Items | Ineligible Items |
|---|---|
| Fruits and vegetables | Alcohol |
| Meat and seafood | Tobacco |
| Dairy products | Pet food |
| Breads and cereals | Household paper goods |
| Snack foods | Medicines and vitamins |
| Sodas and juices | Hot/prepared foods |
| Baking goods |
In summary, most grocery items at Aldi can be purchased with EBT, besides alcohol, tobacco, pet supplies, paper goods, medicine or hot deli items. These restrictions follow federal SNAP guidelines. If any disallowed items are included in an EBT transaction, payment for those must be covered by another form of tender.
Step-By-Step Guide to Using EBT at Aldi
Wondering how to pay for your Aldi haul with an EBT card? Here is what to expect:
- Inform the cashier you will be making an EBT payment
- Swipe your EBT card or provide the card number
- Enter your 4-digit PIN to confirm
- Any eligible food items will deduct from the EBT account
- Pay any non-food items or overages with cash, check or alternate card
- Save the receipt showing your new SNAP balance
The process is quick and seamless. Aldi cashiers are accustomed to splitting payments between EBT and other tender types.
Can You Use EBT for Aldi Grocery Delivery?
Thanks to Aldi‘s partnership with Instacart, you can also use EBT benefits to shop at Aldi online. Simply link your EBT card information to your Instacart account to access thousands of eligible Aldi groceries on delivery or pickup.
Do keep in mind that delivery fees and tips cannot be covered by EBT accounts. You‘ll need an alternate payment method for those online ordering costs.
Does Aldi Accept WIC or Other Assistance?
Unfortunately Aldi does not currently accept Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits. This is due to WIC‘s strict requirements around approved brands, whereas Aldi stocks mostly exclusive private label items.
But the good news is that all Aldi locations welcome SNAP EBT payments both in-store and online. This allows families using food assistance to take advantage of Aldi‘s rock-bottom prices on grocery staples.
The Bottom Line
Yes, you can absolutely use EBT benefits to shop the aisles at Aldi! Hopefully this guide gave you all the details on what food items are eligible, how to pay with EBT in-stores or online, plus other benefit program policies. Feel free to shop worry-free and stretch your SNAP dollars at America‘s favorite discount grocer.
Sources
[1] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/food-stamps-snap-benefits-100-billion-redeemed-2021-record-high/
[2] https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/a-quick-guide-to-snap-eligibility-and-benefits
[3] https://progressivegrocer.com/online-snap-ebt-sales-jumped-43-2021
