Yes, you can use food stamps, or SNAP benefits, at Costco warehouses. Costco accepts Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards as a payment method in all of their warehouse locations. This means that if you are a SNAP recipient, you can use your EBT card to purchase eligible food items at Costco.
Costco has officially stated that they comply with all state laws regarding what can be purchased with EBT cards. For specific details on eligible items, it’s always recommended to check with your local state agency. However, generally, SNAP benefits are intended to help families purchase essential groceries, and these guidelines apply at Costco as well.
Your EBT card, which is loaded with your SNAP benefits, functions much like a debit card. You can use it at the checkout in any Costco warehouse to pay for your groceries. However, it’s important to note that your EBT card can only be used for purchases made inside the Costco warehouses. You cannot use your EBT card for online purchases from Costco, at the Costco food court, or at Costco gas stations. These restrictions are common for SNAP benefits, as they are primarily intended for grocery purchases for home consumption.
When using your EBT card at Costco, you are limited to purchasing SNAP-approved items. These typically include essential grocery items that are considered food staples. Examples of SNAP-eligible items at Costco include:
- Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, and canned)
- Non-alcoholic beverages, such as juice, water, and soda
It’s equally important to be aware of what you cannot purchase at Costco with your SNAP benefits. Ineligible items typically include:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Pet food
- Tobacco products
- Non-food items such as household supplies, clothing, and electronics
Another important consideration when shopping at Costco with food stamps is the annual membership fee. Costco operates on a membership basis, and you must be a member to shop there. Unfortunately, the Costco membership fee cannot be paid for using SNAP benefits. This is an out-of-pocket expense that you will need to cover separately if you wish to shop at Costco using your EBT card.
Many people worry about losing their SNAP benefits if they don’t use them regularly. It’s a common misconception that SNAP benefits expire at the end of each month. Fortunately, this is not the case. SNAP benefits can actually roll over month to month, allowing you to accumulate a larger balance on your EBT card. This can be helpful for families who prefer to save up their benefits for larger grocery hauls, perhaps for stocking up at a warehouse store like Costco.
However, it’s also worth noting that while your SNAP benefits don’t expire monthly, prolonged inactivity or a significantly high balance on your EBT card might trigger a review from your local Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). This is simply a measure to ensure the program is being used as intended and to offer support if needed. But generally, saving your benefits for larger purchases, including shopping trips to Costco, is perfectly acceptable and within the guidelines of the SNAP program.
