Safeway is one of the retailers approved by the United States Department of Agriculture to accept Food Stamps (SNAP benefits) online. In this post, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to use SNAP EBT online at Safeway to shop for groceries for pickup and delivery.
Table of Contents:
- Safeway Now Accepts SNAP EBT online
- States where you can use EBT online at Safeway
- How to Use SNAP EBT online at Safeway
- SNAP EBT Card FAQs
Safeway Now Accepts SNAP EBT Online
Since March 2020, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has added more grocery stores to the EBT online pilot program.
Safeway was selected in January 2017 by the USDA as one of eight retailers for the initial launch of the SNAP EBT online pilot program.
As of January 2023, Safeway now accepts EBT online in 17 states and in Washington D.C. for delivery and pickup, as listed below.
States where you can use EBT Online at Safeway
There are currently 17 states and the District of Columbia where Safeway allows SNAP EBT Cards to be used online for delivery and pick-up.
Below is the list of States:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Maryland
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wyoming
If you currently receive SNAP benefits, you can now purchase groceries online with your EBT card from Safeway – for delivery or pick up.
The delivery service is offered in partnership with Instacart.
You can only use your EBT card to buy eligible grocery items. You will have to add a credit or debit card to pay for non-EBT-eligible items.
How to Use SNAP EBT Online at Safeway
Follow the steps below to use your EBT card on Safeway’s website for delivery or curbside pickup through Instacart.
Step #1 – Sign in/Sign up
Sign into your account or create a new one online. For help, see the screenshot below.
For a new sign up, enter your name, contact information and email address.
The site will automatically select a store but this location may not be right for you. Consider where you would like to pick up your groceries or if the location is the closest for delivery
Next, click on Your Store from the navigation bar. After that, select All Safeway Locations and search via zip code.
Select SNAP EBT options under Additional Services to narrow down results. The store that you select will be linked to your account.
Step #2 – Shop for Items
Once you have created or signed into your online Safeway account, you can proceed by shopping for your grocery items.
Shop as you normally would and add the items you need to your cart and checkout.
Use the search bar to quickly find items you want. For help, see the screenshot below:
To add any item to your cart, simply select the add button under the product you wish to purchase.
Tip: Don’t forget to scroll down on the main page to the “Coupons and Deals” section in order to save more.
When done shopping, click on Cart icon in the upper right corner, review items and checkout.
For delivery, update the address if necessary.
For pickup, schedule a pickup time from the available time selections.
Step #3 – Enter your EBT Card Information
Enter your 16-digit EBT Card number and add a second payment type (Credit Card) for non-SNAP eligible items and fees.
Step #4 – Place your Order
Once complete, place your order and receive an order confirmation with all the details of the items you ordered.
It is important to note, that you cannot use your EBT Card to pay for any delivery fees or charges.
SNAP EBT Card FAQs
Here is a list of our most frequently asked about the SNAP EBT, including grocery shopping online at Safeway and other grocery stores.
What is EBT?
EBT, or Electronic Benefits Transfer, is a system that allows government programs like SNAP and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) to load funds onto payment cards for their recipients.
What is SNAP?
SNAP, or Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, is a federally funded program that provides financial assistance to help get healthy food on the tables of millions of Americans.
What is EBT Cash?
EBT Cash (TANF) provides supplemental income for qualifying households. It gives families a certain amount of extra money for necessities other than food.
Which Safeway locations offer EBT grocery delivery and pickup?
Safeway is working diligently to offer EBT grocery delivery and pickup at all of their stores. Please visit their Store Locator page and click on “Additional Services” to find out if a store in your area is accepting EBT for online payment.
What can you buy at Safeway with EBT?
Check the official What Can SNAP Buy? | USDA-FNS website for items that can be purchased using SNAP EBT.
Here’s the list of the most popular food items at Safeway you can purchase with SNAP EBT:
- Bagels/Bread
- Bananas
- Cereal
- Coffee, Tea & Hot Chocolate
- Cookies, Snacks & Candy
- Dairy, Eggs & Cheese
- Ground Beef
- Ham & Turkey (off the bone or deli meat)
- Pancake & Waffle Mix
- Seafood
- Soda
- Strawberries
- Yogurt
How do I check out with my SNAP EBT/EBT Cash card?
In the payments section of the checkout page, enter your SNAP EBT card information and click “Apply Payment.”
Choose the SNAP and/or EBT Cash amount you’d like to use.
If the total amount for SNAP-eligible items is higher than your SNAP balance amount, or to pay for any non-SNAP eligible items, you can use another form of payment to cover the difference.
How do I check my SNAP EBT/ EBT Cash balance?
You can check your balance during checkout by selecting “EBT Balance Check” in the EBT Payment Entry section.
How do I pay for online purchases with non-SNAP eligible items? Can I use more than one form of payment when paying with SNAP EBT and/or EBT Cash?
Yes, you can make online purchases with more than one type of payment method, and you can use another payment method to pay for non-SNAP eligible items.
Safeway accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express credit cards, and most bank-issued debit cards.
Safeway does not currently accept Cash, Safeway gift cards, Safeway Pay, personal checks, and other charge accounts online orders.
Residents of Arizona with disabilities who use Electronic Benefit Transfer and need to use the Online Grocery Ordering Service because of their disability may contact Customer Service at (877) 505-4040 for assistance.
Third-party service providers (such as Rush Delivery by Instacart) will establish the types of payment options and related terms if you elect to be transferred to their website.
What is EBT Weight Debit and why does it appear as a charge on my grocery order?
A 10% weight debit surcharge is added to items that are priced by weight (fruits, vegetables, etc.) when you pay with SNAP and/or EBT Cash.
The final price is determined once the item is picked and weighed.
If the final price is less than what you paid at checkout, the difference will be refunded to your EBT card, and/or reduce the amount charged to your credit card.
How does Safeway manage refunds when there are multiple payment types used to pay for my order?
You may request a refund if you are not happy with any item. If SNAP EBT is used as a payment type, Safeway will follow guidelines from the USDA on how to process SNAP-eligible refunds.
Safeway will refund the payment back to SNAP if your item to be refunded is SNAP-eligible and you used SNAP to pay for your order.
Once all SNAP funds have been refunded, Safeway will refund the remaining payment types used in the order.
For non-SNAP eligible refunds, Safeway will process refunds according to the EBT Cash and/or other payment card amounts you used to pay for your order.
Can I make an edit after placing my order with SNAP EBT/EBT Cash on www.Safeway.com?
Yes, within a certain time frame after placing your order. Sign in and click “Orders” in the drop-down next to your name at the top of the page to edit or cancel your order.
Items in your order and updating your delivery or pickup date and time may only be edited on the same day your order is placed.
How do I know if I qualify for SNAP?
You can check to see if you qualify for SNAP benefits on the SNAP website.
Do I need an account to use Safeway’s website?
Yes, all customers must have an account or create an account for delivery or pickup orders.
Can I use EBT on Safeway’s shopping App?
Yes, you can pay with EBT on Safeway’s App. Just make sure you select the “Checkout with EBT card” option located underneath the Checkout button.
How to Use SNAP EBT Online at Safeway Summary
We hope this post about how to use SNAP EBT online at Safeway was helpful to you.
Questions?
If you have any questions about Food Stamps, EBT cards, or shopping online at Safeway, please let us know in the comments section below. We are here to help you!
Also, be sure to check out our other articles about SNAP and EBT, including:
- List of Eligible SNAP/Food Stamps Items
- How to Use SNAP EBT Online at Target
- How to use SNAP EBT Online at Food Lion
- FREE Christmas Gifts for Low Income
- Restaurants that Accept SNAP EBT
- Gas Stations that take Food Stamps
- Food Stamps Payment Schedule by State