Does Publix Take EBT/Food Stamps/SNAP or WIC? (Answered) (2024)

Are you shopping for groceries at Publix? EBT cards are a great way to pay at stores that accept them as a payment method. But, does Publix accept EBT cards?

This article answers the question “Does Publix take EBT?”, explains what items you can buy with an EBT card, covers WIC, TANF, and much more.

Answered: Does Publix Take EBT?

Yes, you can use yourEBT cardas a payment method at Publix. Here is confirmation from Publix that they participate in the EBT program:

Confirmed: EBT Cards are ‘Gladly Accepted’ at Publix.

It’s not surprising that you can use your EBT benefits at Publix. That’s because EBT cardholders receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Because SNAP is a nationwide and federal program, all major grocery stores must accept EBT payments at their stores.

Tip:To find stores that accept EBT, you can use the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA)SNAP Retailer Locatortool.

Does Publix Take Food Stamps?

Yes, you can use your food stamps to pay for your groceries at Publix Super Markets. You will frequently hear EBT cards called food stamps, but they’re the same thing! EBT cardholders are welcome at every Publix store.

Does Publix Take SNAP?

Publix does take SNAP benefits. EBT and SNAP are the same programs. Participants in the food stamp program can shop at any store that accepts SNAP EBT.

Helpful Tip:Most eligible stores will have EBT/SNAP advertised as a payment option on their websites, store doors, or at the checkout register. If in doubt, you can call your local grocery store’s customer service phone number or ask the cashier at checkout.

What Is Publix?

Publix is an employee-owned supermarket chain based in Winter Haven, Florida. They sell high-quality fresh produce, quick meals, organic foods, vegetables, meat, seafood, sushi, deli items, baked goods, cakes, dairy products, snacks, frozen foods, bulk foods, everyday household items, general merchandise, wine, beer, and liquor. Publix operates 1,286 grocery stores in seven Southeastern states, employs 225,000 people, and has convenient in-store pharmacies.

Interestingly, they’re the largest company in the United States wholly owned by their employees! That means that Publix employees work hard to keep Publix as the best-rated grocery store in the Southeast, with locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Money-Saving Tip:If you want to save money and discover new products, check out your Publix locationweekly ad. It’s filled with special deals, printable coupons, the latest items, and much more.

What Other Payment Methods Does Publix Accept?

What other payment options do Publix stores take? Below is a list of payment methods, including four types of credit cards and three mobile pay options, accepted at your local Publix supermarket.

Payment Methods Accepted at Publix

• Apple Pay, Google Pay/Android Pay, and Samsung Pay (mobile payment solutions)
• Apple Card
• Publix Scan: This zero-touch checkout app lets you scan and pay for your food entirely through the app! That means you don’t have to wait in a checkout line. New members will receive a digital coupon for $5 off their first purchase through the app.
• Visa credit cards
• Master card credit cards
• Discover credit cards
• American Express (Amex) credit cards
• Debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, ATM cards)
• EBT Cards (also known as ‘Electronic Benefits Transfer’, ‘SNAP benefits’, or ‘food stamps’).
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Benefits (at participating locations)
• Prepaid cards
• Publix Gift Cards
• Local pre-printed personal checks with photo ID.
• Cash

Tip: When paying with a credit or debit card, insert your chip card into the card reader rather than sliding the magnetic strip.

What Items Can I Buy with EBT?

You can purchase many delicious and healthy items at Publix with your EBT card, like fresh vegetables and fruits, meats, fish, snacks, and bread!

What are EBT eligible food items? Here are some of the most frequently purchased items with EBT cards at Publix:

• Baby formula
• Baby foods
• Bread and bakery items
• All types of cereals
• Coffee
• Dairy products of all kinds, including milk, yogurt, and cheese.
• Energy drinks that have nutrition facts labels
• Frozen dinners
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Meats
• Seafood
• Poultry
• Protein bars, as long as there is a nutritional label.

What Items Are Ineligible with EBT?

Even though shoppers can purchase most foods available at Publix with an EBT card, some restrictions include alcohol or tobacco products.

Here are items that you can’t purchase with your EBT card:

• Diapers
• Vitamins and medicines
• Flowers and plants.
• Supplements
• Prepared hot foods (cafeteria-type foods), including Publix’s rotisserie chickens.
• Pet food
• Household supplies
• Cosmetics
• Hygiene items
• Beer, wine, and other alcoholic drinks

You can visit theUSDA websitefor a complete list of what you can and cannot purchase.

How Do You Use Your EBT Card Benefits?

Your EBT card works just like a credit or debit card would at the cash register. When you are ready to pay for your items, slide your card into the credit card machine and enter your PIN number. That’s it!

Have a low balance on your card?

If you don’t have enough money on your EBT card to pay for all of your items, you can pay for the rest with a different form of payment such as a credit card, debit card,Publix gift card, or cash. Typically, your retailer will deduct the remaining EBT card balance, and then you can pay the difference.

If you need to check your EBT card balance, you can call the phone number listed on the back of the card or go to yourstate’s website.

TANF Cash Options

If you have the TANF cash benefit on your EBT card, you can withdraw cash from your card at the cash register. At most Publix stores, the cash back limit is $100, while at some smaller locations, the limit is $50. If in doubt, ask your cashier what that limit is first.

If needed, you can use the cash from your card topurchase EBT ineligible itemssuch as prepared hot food, clothing, transportation, and more! It’s similar to having a cash debit card.

What Grocery Stores Take EBT?

Besides Publix, most grocery stores accept EBT cards. Below is a list of grocery stores that accept EBT:

• Albertsons
• Aldi
• BJ’s Wholesale Club
• Costco
• Cub Foods
• Family Dollar
• Food Lion
• FoodMaxx
• Giant Eagle
• HMart
• Instacart
• Kroger
• Meijer
• Price Chopper
• Publix
• Raley’s
• Safeway
• Sam’s Club
• Save Mart Supermarkets
• ShopRite
• Sprouts
• Stop and Shop
• Trader Joe’s
• Von’s
• Wegmans
• Winn-Dixie
• Whole Foods Market

Can You Use Publix Grocery Delivery With EBT?

Do you want to order your groceries online and have them delivered? Online grocery shopping is convenient, and at Publix, it’s also affordable. You might know that Publix offers online grocery orders in partnership with Instacart, but do they accept EBT for online orders and curbside pickup?

Yes, you can use yourEBT card with Publix Instacartfor grocery delivery and pickup. They’re one of only a select few grocery stores that allow online purchasing with EBT cards!

To check out online with Publix using your EBT card, follow these steps:

1. First, open your cart or tap the greenCheckout button.
2. Next, Enter your credit or debit card
3. Now, enter your delivery address or select a time for pickup orders
4. Then, add your EBT card information
5. After that, clickEditto tell Instacart how much to pay from your EBT card.
6. Next, clickConfirm payment method
7. Verify that all the information on thePlace Orderpage is correct.
8. Once you’ve verified that everything is correct, clickPlace Order
9. Now, enter your EBT card PIN.
10. Wait for your groceries to arrive at your door!

Does Publix Take WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)?

If you are eligible for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, you may be wondering, does Publix accept WIC?

Yes, you can use WIC at Publix. That’s great because many grocery chains don’t accept WIC.

Here iswhat Publix saidwhen they confirmed that they take WIC:

“We also participate in the WIC program and the Electronic Benefits Transfer program.”

Eligible Items With WIC

• Cereals
• Eggs
• Fruits and vegetables (frozen, fresh, dried, or canned)
• Milk
• Oatmeal
• Peanut butter
• Yogurt
• Whole wheat bread
• Whole wheat pasta
• Infant food and formula

Ineligible Items With WIC

• Sodas
• Diapers
• Beverages that are not 100% juice
• Imported cheese
• Cheese spreads
• Yogurts with candy
• Soups
• Pet food
• Fruit-nut mixtures

It is essential to review what you can and cannot buy when using WIC or food stamps. For example, you can purchase dairy products, but there arecertain restrictions on what type of other items you can buy. You can buy some yogurts, but you can’t buy ones with artificial sweeteners, candy, granola, nuts, or single-serve containers.

It’s a little confusing, so read your state’s guide to WIC benefits before checking out at the grocery store.

Publix Hours of Operation

Before you head out, you’ll want to know what your local store’s hours are to avoid disappointment. Typically, Publix is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day of the week, excluding holidays.

Use their‘Find a Store’ toolto find your local store’s hours. All Publix locations are closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Interestingly, they’ve been closed every Christmas Day since they were founded, letting their employee-owners spend the day with their family.

Publix Recipes: Try Something New!

Are you shopping at Publix and interested in making something new? They have made it easy to create the perfect meal for any occasion with theircollection of Aprons Recipeson their website. There are ideas for appetizers, main dishes, side dishes, salads, smoothies, soups, and desserts.

So whether you’re making a snack, breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there’s something for everyone. There are also plenty of recipes that are kid and picky-eater-friendly!

A few examples of the recipes that you can make are:

• Cheddar-Garlic Drop Biscuits
• Easy Buffalo Chili
• Smoky Bacon Pork Chops and Rainbow Slaw
• Fresh Cherry Pie
• Creamy Sweet Chili Shrimp

These are just some of the delicious creations you can make using ingredients from Publix. Check their recipes out, make a shopping list, pick out the ingredients in the aisles, and try something new tonight. They taste great and are healthy!

Final Thoughts

Publix is a great place to buy high-quality, healthy food at an excellent price for yourself and your family with your EBT card. When you do your grocery shopping at Publix, you can be confident that your family is eating the highest quality food.

If you want to shop at a grocery store that accepts your EBT card and takes WIC, too, look no further than your local Publix store!