If you are a District of Columbia – DC EBT Cardholder, you can now use your EBT Card online to buy groceries for delivery! This is great news for Washington DC Food Stamps recipients. In this post, we will explain how to buy groceries online with your DC EBT Card.
We will also cover:
- EBT Online Purchasing Pilot Program
- Where you can use your DC EBT online
- How to use your District of Columbia EBT online
- What you can buy with DC EBT online
- Washington DC EBT Card FAQs
To learn how to use your District of Columbia EBT Card to purchase groceries online, continue reading below.
EBT Online Purchasing Pilot Program
In 2017, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a pilot program for online EBT purchases. The program allows EBT Cardholders to purchase groceries online for delivery or pick-up.
Additionally, the program was only launched in select states. These states include:
Currently, the EBT Online Purchasing Program includes 19 states – with an additional 18 states expected to join the program in the coming weeks. This rapid expansion was the government’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).
The program’s expansion provides low-income households with access to fresh, nutritious food during stay-at-home orders.
Online Purchasing Pilot for Washington DC EBT Cardholders
In April 2020, the USDA expanded their Online Purchasing Pilot for District of Columbia EBT Cardholders. As a result, Washington DC food stamp recipients can now use their EBT Card online to purchase groceries at select grocery retailers.
The District of Columbia food stamp program includes more than 100,000 individuals and 66,000 households.
Below is a list of grocery stores that accept DC EBT online and participate in the USDA’s Online Purchasing Pilot.
We will describe in detail each grocery store’s online EBT program. In addition, we will also cover how you can place an order using your Washington DC food stamps card and have it delivered to you.
Where to use Washington DC EBT Card Online
You can use your District of Columbia EBT Card to purchase groceries online at Amazon. Currently, this the only retailer where you can use your DC EBT card online. More retailers are expected to be approved for EBT online in the coming months.
For help on how to use your Washington DC food stamp benefits to purchase groceries at Amazon online, continue reading below.
[the_ad id=”3802″]
How to Buy Groceries Online with your DC EBT
Find out how to use your District of Columbia EBT card to buy groceries online at Amazon. Follow the instructions provided below.
How to Buy Amazon Groceries Online with Washington DC EBT Card
Amazon has been approved for the USDA’s Online Purchasing Pilot and has launched delivery for EBT Cardholders in select states. Cardholders in Washington, DC can use their EBT to shop and purchase food online for delivery.
F
How it Works
To shop online for groceries with your DC EBT card, follow the instructions below.
Step 1 – Login your Amazon online account
The first step to purchase groceries online at Amazon is to go to the website and log into your Amazon account. To login, click here.
If you do not have an Amazon account, click on the “Create your Amazon account” as shown in the screenshot below.
Once you have created your account, proceed by entering your email and password to sign-in.
Step 2 – Add your District of Columbia EBT Card
Once logged in, enter your DC food stamps card to add it to your Amazon account. Type in your complete Washington DC SNAP EBT card number. After that, click the “submit” button.
Next, enter your delivery zip code. This will tell you whether or not your zip code is eligible for delivery on purchases using your DC EBT card.
If eligible, click the “Add your SNAP EBT Card” button, as shown in the screenshot below.
[the_ad id=”3802″]
Step 3 – Shop for Amazon Groceries Online
When your EBT Card is added you can begin shopping for your groceries online. You can use Amazon Grocery
As an EBT cardholder, you have FREE access to Amazon Fresh when you add your SNAP EBT card. To learn more about Amazon Fresh, Grocery and Prime Pantry, click here.
Step 4 – Enter your PIN to Checkout
When you are done shopping and are ready to checkout, proceed as usual. At checkout select “EBT” as payment. After that, enter your 4-digit PIN for your Washington DC EBT Card to place your order.
For help, see our screenshot below.
Please note, you cannot use your food stamp benefits or EBT Card to pay for shipping or delivery fees. However, you can earn free shipping by adding enough qualifying items to your order.
Below are the minimum purchase amounts to qualify for free shipping/delivery at Amazon Grocery, Fresh or Pantry.
Free Shipping Amazon Order Minimum
- $25 Order Minimum – Amazon Grocery
- $35 Order Minimum – Amazon Fresh
- $35 Order Minimum – Amazon Pantry
If you are not an Amazon Prime member, you can sign up with your EBT Card and get 50% OFF a membership. To learn how to sign up, continue reading below.
Discounted Amazon Prime Membership
As a District of Columbia EBT Cardholder, you can get over 50% OFF Amazon Prime when you sign up with your EBT Card. With the Amazon Prime EBT discount you can get all the great benefits of Prime at a fraction of the cost.
For just $5.99 per month you get all these EBT Amazon Prime benefits:
- One-Day FREE Shipping on millions of eligible Amazon items
- Two-Day FREE Shipping on millions of eligible Amazon items
- Access to instantly stream thousands of FREE Movies & TV Shows
- Access to Unlimited FREE Prime Music streaming
- FREE 2-Hour Delivery on Prime Now items
To learn more about the Amazon Prime EBT Discount and the benefits and perks you get with Amazon Prime membership, click here.
CLICK HERE to Sign up and Save with the Amazon Prime Discount for EBT Cardholders.
To find out what you can buy online with your DC EBT Card, continue reading below.
What you can Buy Online with your DC EBT Card
You can use your Washington DC EBT Card to buy eligible food stamps items. For instance, you can buy a variety of items that are sold to be eaten at home.
This includes:
- Meat and Poultry
- Fish and Seafood
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Bread and Cereal
- Snack Food
- Dairy Products
- Nonalcoholic Beverages
- Soft Drinks
Additionally, you can also buy plants and seeds to grow food at home.
You cannot use your District of Columbia EBT card to buy groceries online that are considered prepared food. Also, you cannot buy vitamins, medicine, or any other nonfood items.
For a complete list of what you can and cannot buy online with your DC EBT card, click here to see the complete eligible SNAP list.
[the_ad id=”3802″]
Washington DC EBT Card FAQs
Here is a list of our most frequently asked about the District of Columbia EBT Card.
Can Washington DC EBT Cardholders purchase food from Whole Foods using SNAP benefits?
Yes, you cannot use your DC EBT Card online at Whole Foods. In addition, some Whole Foods brands are available to purchase with your DC EBT Card on the Amazon Grocery, Fresh, and Pantry.
Can I purchase non-SNAP items online Amazon with my EBT Card?
If an order contains non-SNAP eligible food items, customers are required to pay
with another form of payment. You can use a credit or debit card, a gift card, or another
acceptable form of payment.
When will I be able to purchase groceries from more stores online?
As the USDA Pilot progresses, more retailers will be launching the ability to pay with SNAP EBT online. To find out when more retailers accept DC EBT online, check here for updates.
Can I use Washington DC EBT online Walmart?
No, you cannot use your DC EBT Card online at Walmart at this time. However, you can place a Walmart grocery order online and pay with DC EBT Card at pick-up.
Can Washington DC SNAP benefits pay for delivery?
Only eligible food items can be purchased with your DC EBT benefits. Any delivery fees or charges may not be paid for with your SNAP benefits – you must use another form of payment.
How do I check my District of Columbia EBT Card balance?
You can check your Washington DC EBT Card balance online, in-person, or by phone. To check your District of Columbia EBT Card balance call the DHS phone number at (202) 727-5355.
How do I know what items are eligible to be purchased with EBT online?
When shopping online at Amazon with your DC EBT card, eligible items will have a label in the product description. Look for a label that says “EBT and SNAP eligible” on products.
How much will I get on my EBT Card each month?
The amount of benefits you receive on your EBT Card each month is determined by your income and household size.
You can use the Maximum Monthly SNAP Amount Chart to find out the highest amount of benefits you can receive each month.
When are my DC EBT benefits deposited into my account?
District of Columbia EBT benefits are sent out from the 1st to the 10th of every month. Your EBT deposit date is based on the first letter of your last name.
To find your Washington DC EBT deposit date, use the schedule below.
| Last name’s first letter is | Benefits available |
|---|---|
| A or B | 1st |
| C | 2nd |
| D, E, or F | 3rd |
| G or H | 4th |
| I, J, or K | 5th |
| L or M | 6th |
| N, O, P, or Q | 7th |
| R or S | 8th |
| T, U, or V | 9th |
| W, X, Y or Z | 10th |
Shop with DC EBT Online for Grocery Delivery
We hope this post on how to use your District of Columbia EBT Card to purchase groceries online for delivery was helpful to you. If you have additional questions or need help using your Washington DC EBT Card online at Amazon, leave those in the comments section below.
In addition, find out how you can save even more with your DC EBT card. Check out our Washington DC EBT Discounts. You can save on things like phone service, museum admission, and much more!