Does CVS Take EBT? Everything You Need to Know

As a leading pharmacy and convenience store chain in the U.S., many shoppers wonder whether CVS accepts Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. This comprehensive 2500+ word guide will explain everything you need to know about using your EBT benefits at CVS, including:

Key CVS Company Statistics and Background
SNAP Program Eligibility and Participation Rates
Which CVS locations accept EBT
What food items are eligible for purchase with EBT at CVS
Step-by-step instructions for using EBT in-store
Whether EBT can be used for online orders
Other major retailers that accept EBT payments
Maximizing Your EBT Benefits at CVS

Let‘s start with some key statistics on CVS Health and its retail pharmacy locations.

CVS Company Background and Demographics

According to Statista, CVS Health reported over $292 billion in total revenue in 2021, making it the leading drugstore chain in the U.S.
As of 2022, CVS operates over 9,900 pharmacy locations across 49 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. This includes pharmacies located inside Target stores.
On average, over 34 million customers visit CVS stores each week. And 70% of the U.S. population lives within 3 miles of a CVS pharmacy.
The chain fills over 1.5 billion prescriptions annually, servicing nearly 34 million health plan members.

So when evaluating retailers that accept EBT payments, it‘s clear that CVS provides convenience, accessibility, and scale unmatched by competitors.

Now let‘s cover the basics of Electronic Benefits Transfer cards.

EBT Card and SNAP Benefits Background

EBT cards are used to distribute federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to qualifying lower-income individuals and families. Benefits are directly added to a special debit card on a monthly basis to purchase eligible grocery items.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) which oversees SNAP:

As of 2022, over 41 million Americans receive SNAP benefits monthly
The average SNAP household receives $277 per month
91% of benefits go towards households with kids, seniors, or people with disabilities

The below graph charts the dramatic rise in SNAP program participation since 2000. Spikes correlate closely with periods of economic recession and heightened unemployment.

So EBT and food stamp usage remains near peak levels – making education on retailers who accept benefits vital.

Does CVS Accept EBT Cards?

Yes! As of 2023, over 6,900 CVS pharmacy locations across the United States accept EBT payments.

CVS proudly accepts EBT cards through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This government benefit program provides financial assistance to millions of low-income individuals and families to purchase essential grocery items.

However, not every CVS location accepts EBT. Most stores do participate, but it‘s best to call your nearest pharmacy ahead of time to confirm EBT acceptance.

How to Check If Your Local CVS Store Accepts EBT

You can easily verify if a specific CVS store accepts EBT cards by:

Using the CVS online store locator to find contact details for neighborhood locations
Calling the pharmacy and speaking to a customer service representative
Asking, “Do you accept EBT cards at this CVS store?”

Alternatively, the USDA SNAP State Directory provides a wealth of information on EBT rules and retailers by state and county.

What Food Items Can You Buy With EBT at CVS?

EBT cards can only be used to purchase eligible grocery products at CVS. According to SNAP guidelines, these include:

Fruits and vegetables – Fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and veggies without added sugars/fats
Meat, poultry, fish – Whole cuts of beef, chicken, pork, lamb, fish fillets, eggs
Bread, cereals – Breads, tortillas, bagels, pasta, rice, oats, cereal grains
Dairy products like milk, yogurt, natural cheese, butter
Non-alcoholic beverages – Bottled water, juice, soy milk, coffee, tea
Snack foods & desserts – Chips, pretzels, granola bars, crackers, ice cream, popsicles
Seeds & plants to grow food (not marijuana seeds or plants)

While selection varies, popular CVS snack and grocery offerings covered by EBT include:

Gold Emblem nuts, trail mixes, dried fruits
CVS Almond Milk, Soy Milk
Annie‘s Macaroni and Cheese (non-prepared)
Cape Cod Potato Chips
Kind Granola Bars

However, since CVS is primarily a drugstore, selection of eligible grocery items may be more limited than at supermarkets. Be sure to call ahead to see if your local store carries the essential food products you need.

Ineligible Purchases With EBT at CVS

Conversely, EBT cards cannot be used to buy:

Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Pet food
Household supplies
Cosmetics, personal care items
Vitamins, medicine, supplements
Hot prepared food items

So while EBT can be extremely useful for buying basic groceries at CVS pharmacies when selection meets your needs and taste preferences, it generally can‘t be used for most non-food purchases.

Pros and Cons of Using EBT at CVS

Compared to large supermarket chains, what are the advantages and disadvantages of relying on CVS for your essential grocery needs through SNAP benefits?

Potential Benefits of Using EBT at CVS

With nearly 10,000 locations across the U.S., CVS likely has a pharmacy in your neighborhood making it more convenient than a farther supermarket
Many CVS stores have extended hours – some open 24 hours daily – increasing accessibility around your schedule
Smaller CVS locations often provide quicker checkout lanes compared to crowded big box grocers
EBT shoppers can access health, beauty, and pharmacy services in one CVS trip instead of multiple stops

Downsides of Relying on CVS for Groceries

However, there are some notable drawbacks to consider as well:

Grocery selection is far more limited vs supermarkets – key staples may not be available or consistently in stock
Prices may be higher on some items compared to discount grocers like Aldi or Walmart
Fewer opportunities to buy fresh meat, seafood, and produce – key components of a nutritional diet
Difficult to do all major household shopping in one trip due to limited selection of eligible items

So EBT customers should weigh affordability, convenience, and product availability when deciding if CVS can adequately serve as a primary grocery destination. Having backup options like food banks, food stamps offices, or discounted chains is recommended.

How to Use an EBT Card at CVS

Making EBT payments at CVS pharmacies is quick and easy. Just follow these steps during checkout:

When it‘s time to pay for SNAP-eligible items, swipe your EBT card through the credit/debit card reader
Enter your unique personal identification number (PIN)
The cashier will verify if you have sufficient SNAP balance to cover the transaction
After approving the payment, you‘ll receive a detailed receipt showing your new SNAP balance

One important note – CVS typically does not accept EBT for self-checkout payments, so be sure to visit a staffed register when using this benefit card.

Can You Use EBT Cards for CVS Online Orders?

At this time, CVS does not provide the ability to use EBT benefits for online purchases or when ordering through the CVS mobile app.

Online payments are currently only accepted through:

Visa
Mastercard
American Express
Discover Card

So unfortunately, EBT cards can only be used to buy eligible foods inside CVS retail pharmacy locations.

Other Major Retailers That Accept EBT

In addition to CVS, EBT cards are accepted at thousands of supermarkets, convenience stores, farmers markets, and other SNAP-approved retailers nationwide.

Some of the most popular stores that accept EBT include:

Walgreens – Over 9,000 locations with grocery selections similar to CVS
Kroger – 2,700+ supermarket stores with expansive fresh foods
Costco – Major bulk retailer popular for affordability and savings
Walmart – With over 4,700 stores, America‘s largest grocer based on food sales
Aldi – Fast-growing chain with 1,500+ US locations focused on discounted prices

Be sure to check out the USDA SNAP Retailer Locator to find EBT-accepting grocers, convenience stores, farmers markets, and other locations near you. This tool is searchable by ZIP code or city/state.

Maximizing Your EBT Benefits at CVS

When relying on CVS pharmacies for essential groceries through SNAP, focus on these tips to maximize your monthly food budget:

Check the weekly ad circular for SNAP-eligible staples on promotion – buy more at the discounted rate
Purchase CVS Gold Emblem brand versions of snack foods, nuts, cheese, milk, bread and other household basics for savings vs name brands
Focus CVS trips on non-perishables and extend shelf life items when big supermarket trips aren‘t feasible
Split shopping between CVS and the lowest cost grocers in your area based on weekly sales – don‘t limit yourself to just one retailer
Take advantage of in-ad or app ExtraBucks rewards to save 20% or more on regular-priced SNAP-eligible items

Getting the right balance of affordability, convenience, and product availability may require visiting multiple stores based on your neighborhood options and transportation availability. But when utilized strategically as part of your monthly food budget, CVS can serve as a lifeline for snacks, staples, and grocery basics courtesy of SNAP benefits.

The Bottom Line on EBT Cards at CVS

Now that you know the ins and outs of using EBT at CVS – from verifying participation by locations, to what you can actually purchase with your SNAP benefits – shopping at this major pharmacy chain can be quick, easy, and convenient.

As one of the largest drugstore companies in the county serving millions each day, CVS provides significant accessibility of essential grocery items across urban, suburban, and rural communities for EBT recipients.

Just be sure to give your neighborhood store a call ahead of visiting to confirm they accept Electronic Benefit Transfer cards at checkout. This will save you time and frustration.

And remember – EBT can only be used in CVS pharmacies to purchase eligible food items, not for medical supplies, personal care essentials, or household goods. But it remains a valuable resource for affording healthy, nutritious options.