With COVID-19 changing the way we shop, Ohio EBT cardholders are wondering how they can safely access to fresh food and groceries. If you are wondering how you can buy groceries online with your Ohio EBT Card, we can help.
In this post, we will explain the changes made to better serve Ohio EBT cardholders during this time of need.
We will also cover:
- USDA Online Purchasing Pilot Program
- Ohio EBT changes due to COVID-19
- Where to Shop Online with Ohio EBT Card
- Future changes to Ohio EBT Card
- Ohio EBT Frequently Asked Questions
To learn more about using your Ohio EBT Card online for groceries, 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.
Initially, the program was only launched in select states. These states include:
When the USDA launched the program in 2017, each state was paired with specific grocery merchants that were approved for EBT shoppers in that state.
However, due to the impact of Coronavirus, the USDA’s Online Purchasing Pilot has been expedited to help those SNAP residents facing “stay-at-home” orders.
As a result, states have been making changes to EBT Card rules to better serve food stamp recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For details on the changes made to the Ohio EBT Card Program due to Coronavirus, continue reading below.
Ohio EBT changes due to COVID-19
For EBT cardholders, using your benefits to purchase essential food items is all that much harder during the Coronavirus outbreak. Especially for those with small children at home, have underlying conditions, or are elderly, getting food is very a difficult task.
Right now, there’s not a consistent way for people to pay for online grocery orders with federal assistance benefits. However, the state of Ohio is making changes to better serve EBT cardholders.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has introduced an online option for those who receive SNAP benefits. EBT cardholders can now shop online and pick-up their items in a car with a the new “click and collect option.”
Online Shopping with Ohio EBT Card
In an effort to limit community spread, SNAP recipients can now shop for groceries online then pick-up and pay with their EBT Card from their car.
According to a press release from the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (DJFS), the new “click and collect” option allows SNAP recipients to shop online and pay curbside for groceries.
However, if stores do not have a mobile point-of-sale device they can pay for their grocery orders with their EBT Card in-store.
Food Stamp recipients also have the ability to place their grocery orders over the phone.
Other changes made to Ohio SNAP
In addition, other changes have been made to better assist Ohio EBT Cardholders during this time of need. This includes extending the SNAP re-certification period 6-months for those due to renew their benefits in March, April and May.
Also, allowing food stamp recipients to receive the maximum benefit amount for there household size for March and April.
To find out the maximum benefit amount for your household size, please refer to the chart below.
| People in Household | Maximum Monthly Allotment |
|---|---|
| 1 | $194 |
| 2 | $355 |
| 3 | $509 |
| 4 | $646 |
| 5 | $768 |
| 6 | $921 |
| 7 | $1,018 |
| 8 | $1,164 |
| Each additional person | +$146 |
For more information, check out the Ohio DJFS press release here.
To get more information on how and where to shop with your Ohio EBT Card online, continue reading below.
Where to Shop Online with Ohio EBT Card
If you are wondering where you can shop online with your Ohio EBT Card, we can help.
Below is the list of stores that are allowing you to use your Ohio EBT Card online or in-person for curbside grocery pick-up.
Acme Fresh Market
Acme Fresh Market stores accept online grocery orders for pick-up and pay with your Ohio EBT Card.
For help on how to order groceries at Acme with your Ohio EBT Card, follow the instructions below.
How to Order with EBT Online
To order groceries with your Ohio EBT Card online, follow these instructions:
- Visit the Acme Market Stores website
- Sign-in or Create an Account
- Select your Pick-Up Location
- Add Grocery Items to your Cart
- Checkout and Pick-up at scheduled time
- Pay with your EBT Card at Pick-up
Aldi
Aldi stores accept online grocery orders for pick-up and pay with your Ohio EBT Card.
For help on how to order groceries at Aldi with your Ohio EBT Card, follow the instructions below.
How to Order with EBT Online
To order groceries with your Ohio EBT Card online, follow these instructions:
- Visit the Aldi website
- Enter your Zip Code
- Add Grocery Items to your Cart
- Select your Pick-Up location and time
- Checkout online
- Pull-up to designated pick-up spot
- Pay with your EBT Card in-person
Buehler’s Fresh Foods
Buehler’s stores are now accepting online grocery orders from Ohio EBT Cardholder for pick-up. Online shopping is now available for the following Buehler’s locations:
- Ashland
- Canton
- Dover
- Medina Forest Meadows
- Medina River Styx
- New Philadelphia
- Wadsworth
- Wooster Milltown
For help on how to order groceries at Buehler’s with your Ohio EBT Card, follow the instructions below.
How to Order with EBT Online
To order groceries with your Ohio EBT Card online, follow these instructions:
- Visit the Buehler’s Fresh Food website
- Sign-in or Create an Account
- Go to store locations and select your store
- Start grocery shopping
- Complete the checkout process
- Pick-up at designated time
- Pay with your EBT Card in-person
Giant Eagle
Giant Eagle grocery stores in Ohio are offering Curbside Pickup Express for EBT cardholders. You can order your groceries online and at-pick they will load your groceries into your car.
For help on how to order groceries at Giant Eagle with your Ohio EBT Card, follow the instructions below.
How to Order with EBT Online
To order groceries with your Ohio EBT Card online, follow these instructions:
- Visit the Giant Eagle website
- Click the Curbside Express option
- Select your pick-up location
- Shop online for your groceries
- At checkout, select pay-in-person
- Pick-up at your scheduled time
- Pay with your EBT Card in-person
Kroger
Kroger grocery stores are now accepting online grocery orders from Ohio EBT cardholders for curbside pick-up.
For help on how to order groceries at Kroger with your Ohio EBT Card, follow the instructions below.
How to Order with EBT Online
To order groceries with your Ohio EBT Card online, follow these instructions:
- Visit the Kroger grocery website
- Select your pick-up location and time
- Create your order by adding grocery items to your Cart
- Submit your order online
- Pick-up at designated time
- Pay in-person with your Ohio EBT Card
Walmart
Currently, Walmart does allow Ohio food stamp recipients to shop and pay with your EBT Card online. You can order your groceries online and pay with your Ohio EBT Card online or curbside at pick-up.
For help on how to order groceries online at Walmart with your Ohio EBT, follow the instructions below.
How to Order with EBT Online
- Go to the Walmart Grocery website
- Sign-in or Create an Account
- Enter your pick-up location
- Shop for groceries online
- Select pay with EBT Card at pick-up
- Pick-up at scheduled time and pay with your EBT Card
If there are additional stores in Ohio that allow you to shop online for groceries for pick-up and pay with your EBT Card, please let us know in the comments below.
Future changes to Ohio EBT Card
Due to the Ohio EBT Card changes made by the state, we think this will put pressure on the USDA to expand the Online Purchasing Pilot to national retailers.
This means that similar to New York EBT cardholders, Ohio food stamp recipients will be able to use their benefits to shop and pay online at Amazon and Walmart.
We predict that Ohio EBT cardholders will be able to use their food stamps to purchase groceries online at Amazon and Walmart.
You can shop online on Amazon for grocery and food items with your Ohio EBT card through Amazon Prime.
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 an Ohio 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.
Ohio EBT Card FAQs
Here is a list of our most frequently asked about the Ohio EBT Card.
Will more grocery stores be added to the list from the pilot?
As the USDA Pilot rolls the program to more states, more retailers will be launching the ability to pay with SNAP EBT online.
To find out when more retailers accepted for online grocery shopping, check here for updates.
How do I check my Ohio EBT Card balance?
You can check your Ohio balance online, in-person, or by phone. To complete your Ohio EBT Card balance check, please call 1-866-386-3071 or visit the Ohio Connect EBT website.
For help checking your Ohio EBT balance, click here.
When are my Ohio benefits deposited into my account?
Ohio benefits are deposited between the 2nd and 20th of every month into your EBT account. Your scheduled deposit date is based on the last digit of your SNAP Case Number.
Find out your Ohio EBT Deposit Date by using the schedule below:
| Case number ends in | Benefits available |
|---|---|
| 0 | 2nd of the month |
| 1 | 4th of the month |
| 2 | 6th of the month |
| 3 | 8th of the month |
| 4 | 10th of the month |
| 5 | 12th of the month |
| 6 | 14th of the month |
| 7 | 16th of the month |
| 8 | 18th of the month |
| 9 | 20th of the month |
Can I have someone else help shop with my EBT Card?
Ask your local county food stamps caseworker about setting up an Authorized Representative (AR). The AR will have a separate card with his or her own account number and PIN. The AR will have access to your entire EBT benefit account.
Can you buy Groceries Online with Ohio EBT Summary
We hope this post on whether you can buy groceries online with Ohio EBT Card was helpful to you.
If you have additional questions or need help using your Ohio EBT Card, leave those in the comments section below.
To find out how you can save even more with your Ohio EBT card, be sure to check out our Ohio EBT Discounts. You can save on things like phone service, museum admission, and much more!