American suburbia has made coffee a staple beverage. It’s no hyperbole to say coffee is part and parcel of daily life for many Americans, including SNAP recipients. Perhaps you live in a location that has a 24-hour coffee shop.
The love for coffee is so much that financial advisors see it as one of the top frugal living tips with a big impact to save money where people can drastically cut expenses and save about $1,460 per year!
Starbucks coffee is the most well-known and successful American coffee chain.
Many SNAP users are left to wonder: Can my EBT Card be used at Starbucks? It depends on whether it is a Starbucks licensee or a standalone Starbucks store. That’s why we wrote this article. We’ll show you the difference and tell you which Starbucks accepts food-stamps.
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About Starbucks
Starbucks, which is headquartered in Seattle (Washington), is America’s biggest coffeehouse chain. There are 15.300 Starbucks stores throughout the US. 8,900 are company-operated shops, and 6,390 licensed stores. Starbucks locations offer cold and hot beverages like whole bean coffee Frappuccino beverages as well as snacks such chips, bagels, and fresh bread items.
There are a few SNAP-eligible items at Starbucks! The only question is: Does Starbucks accept EBT?
The short answer isStarbucks does accept EBT in some of its licensed stores. However, EBT cannot be used at any company-operated store. EBT cards are accepted at Starbucks, Safeway, Fred Meyer and Target. EBT cards can also be used to purchase SNAP-eligible items, such a Frappuccino beverage or a piece of fresh pumpkin bread. It’s because grocery-store Starbucks treat grocery items the same way as other grocery goods.
However, Starbucks stands-alone stores (also known as corporate or company-operated shops) do not accept food stamps. Starbucks is an exclusive brand and is therefore not authorized to sell SNAP.
EBT cards can not be used to purchase hot, prepared foods or other SNAP-prohibited items at corporate and licensed Starbucks locations. Starbucks isn’t participating in the Restaurant Meals Programs (RMP) in the US.
We recommend calling ahead to verify if the store accepts EBT . Grubhub is a partner of Starbucks. They accept cash as an alternative.
Learn why only licensed Starbucks accepts EBT.
Do Starbucks accept EBT?
Starbucks accepts EBT in some of its licensed locations, but does not accept food stamps at any standalone Starbucks.
Licensed Starbucks also known non-corporate are the Starbucks kiosks inside grocery stores like Target or Fred Meyer. They’re attached to Starbucks through business agreements.
In order to be licensed Starbucks stores, they will lease the Starbucks name and logo. In exchange, they pay part of their revenues to Starbucks.
Starbucks licensees that are SNAP food stamp-accepting allow EBT cardholders access to their SNAP cards at the grocery store kiosks. EBT cards are already approved so you can use them at Starbucks and other stores that accept EBT.
On the other hand, foods sold at stand-alone or company-operated Starbucks stores aren’t considered essential food items by SNAP. Since Starbucks is seen as a luxury brand, the company isn’t an approved SNAP retailer.
Starbucks customer representatives stated that Starbucks does not accept food stamps as payment in its company-operated shops. However, our licensees, especially those located in grocery stores, might accept these as payment.
Also, Starbucks isn’t part of the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) anywhere in the US. EBT cards cannot be used for hot meals and drinks at Starbucks locations across the US.
If you live in one of the RMP states and meet the eligibility requirements, you may be able to use your EBT Card to purchase hot, ready-to-eat food at any EBT-accepting fast food outlets.
What’s the takeaway? Starbucks kiosks at grocery stores such as Publix and Safeway accept EBT to make it easier for customers. However, not all Starbucks corporate locations accept EBT cards for payment.
Hot foods and beverages are not eligible for SNAP and EBT card benefits. However, all cold drinks can still be purchased. There are also sandwiches, sweets as well as soft drinks, energy drinks and snacks that you can purchase at the shop.
This means you can use your EBT cards for certain purchases at Starbucks (located inside shops).
Your EBT card can also be used to purchase packaged goods. This includes the consideration of the nutrition label. While supplements and prepared items are not eligible for EBT benefits, anything that comes with a label outlining its nutritional values and numbers can be purchased with your EBT card.
Which items cannot be purchased with EBT cards?
The SNAP benefits program has clear rules about items that can’t purchased with EBT card. You can purchase fruit, vegetables, meats, poultry, fishes, cheeses, breads cereals, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks with your EBT card. However, some items are prohibited.
- EBT purchases cannot be made with beer, wine or spirits.
- You can’t buy cigarettes or any other tobacco products with your SNAP benefits.
- EBT cards are not valid for the purchase of supplements. The label can help you distinguish between food items from supplements. If the label says “Supplement Facts” on it, the product isn’t eligible under SNAP benefits. This includes vitamins, proteins, and medications.
- EBT can’t be used to purchase animals still alive. You might not be able to purchase fish that have been removed from water recently.
- EBT doesn’t allow hot foods and drinks to be bought in-store. It is still possible to purchase cold snacks, drinks and beverages at certain locations.
- Non-food products are not eligible for purchase. It is not possible to buy cleaning supplies for the home, personal hygiene, and household items.
Does Target Starbucks Accept EBT?
EBT can be accepted by Target Starbucks. Target Starbucks may accept EBT cards.
EBT can only be used in SNAP approved grocery stores that have Starbucks restaurants. Target is a good example.
SNAP continues to expand its program to accommodate the everyday needs of SNAP recipients. An Oregon woman visited Safeway Starbucks with her friend years ago to prove this truism. Surprisingly, the friend who was SNAP eligible was able to use her EBT Card to pay for a piece and Tall Frappuccino beverage.
Target Starbucks is licensed to accept EBT in their grocery stores. Safeway, Fred Meyers, Publix, Safeway and Publix are all authorized Starbucks.
That said, don’t expect to walk inside a Target Starbucks and splurge your SNAP benefits on non-essential beverages. Target Starbucks foods have the same SNAP rules as other products sold by the grocery store. Target Starbucks accepts EBT but you cannot use it to purchase eligible SNAP items like energy drinks, soft drinks and snacks.
It’s because Starbucks isn’t an authorized SNAP store and doesn’t participate in Restaurant Meals Programs (RMPs) anywhere in America. Thus, you won’t be able to redeem your SNAP benefits on hot, prepared food or other non-essential luxuries at Target Starbucks kiosks.
Target Starbucks stores are easy to find with more than 1,700 stores located in 48 US states and approximately 240 Super Target locations. It is a good idea to verify that Target Starbucks kiosks accept EBT before you go. If they don’t take EBT, you have the option to try another location or carry an alternate payment method. Starbucks accepts credit or debit cards. Or you can pay directly using the Starbucks app.
Starbucks EBT Card: How to Use it?
First, check to ensure that you are visiting a Starbucks authorized location in a grocery like Target, Safeway and Marriott hotel. Because they do not process food stamps, you can save both time and gas.
When you arrive, ask the customer service desk if they accept EBT at the Starbucks kiosk. Also inquire about which items are SNAP-eligible. All coffee types, including instant, creamer, coffee beans and ground coffee are eligible for SNAP purchases. You can also get SNAP-eligible snacks such as pumpkin bread and single serve coffee container pods. Avoid hot and prepared food intended for on-premise consumption.
After you’ve completed the purchase, swipe the card at the payment register. Choose SNAP for the payment option. The PIN number will be asked for. Without a PIN, your debit card will not authorize the purchase.
Starbucks Uses EBT Summary
EBT is only accepted at certain Starbucks located in SNAP-approved grocery shops like Safeway and Target. EBT cards cannot be used in certain Starbucks locations. You can also search for nearby gas stations that take EBT to find cheaper coffee.
All Starbucks restaurants operated by company are not SNAP-approved retail outlets and don’t accept SNAP meal stamps.
You should always have an alternate payment card and cash with you when you shop at Starbucks. It can save you a lot of embarrassment at the payment register.
A large percentage of Americans drink coffee every day, and Starbucks is a well-known coffee chain. We hope this article will answer your question about “Does Starbucks accept EBT?”
You can also browse our other articles and guides to learn more about which restaurants, fast-food outlets, and bakeries accept EBT.
You can check out these articles about if Schwan’s accepts EBT cards, whether you can buy protein powder with EBT, using EBT at Trader Joe’s, and how you can use your EBT card at CVS for medicines and pharmaceutical items. We wish you the best in your frugal living!