COVID-19 affected many businesses, leaving many people jobless, and others had to take home lower salaries. Around 20 million adults reported that they did not have enough food to eat in their homes.
Vulnerable groups like the elderly, disabled, low-income families and the unemployed cannot afford at least three meals a day. Luckily, the government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is there to help them afford healthy food.
EBT is short for Electronic Benefits Transfer and is a system available to people who qualify under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP). This federal program allows qualified participants to get coupons and cashback from authorized stores in their local area from the comfort of their homes or smartphones. So, does Vons take EBT?
Read on to find out more;
Contents
Does Vons Take EBT?
Yes, all Vons Grocery stores accept EBT for in-store purchases and curbside pickup. They operate in California and Nevada states.
EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. It’s a program that provides food stamps, cash assistance, and other social service benefits to eligible recipients via an electronic card. The P-EBT (Pandemic EBT) benefit was created to help families feed their children while they’re out of school during the pandemic.
When using your EBT card, you can only purchase SNAP-approved foods such as dairy products, bread, fruits, vegetables, and meat. However, you cannot use your EBT card on hot, ready-to-eat foods, fuel, or medicine as they are ineligible.
Benefits of Using EBT At Vons
There are many benefits to using an EBT card at Vons. Here are a few:
- Massive Discounts
USDA partners with Vons to offer discounts on certain foods to make them cheaper. Therefore, you can save money when buying fresh produce and staple items like milk, bread, and eggs.
- Large selection of items available to purchase.
Vons has an extensive collection of items, such as clothes, electronics, food, and more. You will never run out of things to buy when shopping at this grocery store!
- Accessibility
Vons has 197 stores in California and Nevada; hence it is easily accessible for residents of those areas.
- Earn Valuable Points
Vons customers earn points with every purchase completed with an EBT card. You can redeem the points later for free groceries.
How To Apply for an EBT Card?
You can apply for an EBT card online, by mail, or in person at your state’s social services office. The first step is to fill out an application on paper or online. You can find a paper application on your state’s Department of Social Services website or ask your local Department of Social Services office for assistance.
You can also fill out an application online through the Benefits.gov website. Once you’ve completed and submitted the application, your state will contact you within 30 days to determine if you qualify for benefits.
To qualify for SNAP, individuals must meet specific requirements regarding their income and resources. The maximum income requirements depend on household size; individuals or families who have an income below 130% of the poverty line will be eligible for the program. Income from all household members counts towards these limits, including income from wages and self-employment. Applicants who receive other forms of assistance may also be eligible for SNAP, even if they do not meet the monetary requirements.
You can get an EBT card at any Department of Social Services in your state. To find the nearest location, you can search the EBT website. If you cannot travel to one of these offices, you may be able to contact them and have your card mailed to you.
Here’s a list of other stores that accept EBT cards:
- Walmart
- Target
- Kroger
- Costco
- Albertsons
- BI-LO
- Costco Wholesale
- Kmart
- Publix
- Sam’s Club
- Whole Foods.
How To Use Your EBT Card At Vons?
There are two methods to use your EBT card at Vons: checkout counters or grocery pickup.
Checkout Counters
Follow these steps:
- Select the SNAP-approved items you’d like to buy.
- Take them to a checkout counter.
- Swipe your EBT card through the reader.
- Enter your PIN into the machine.
- Wait for a confirmation that your transaction has gone through successfully (the cashier will also tell you when it’s okay to go).
- If you don’t have enough funds on your EBT card, ask if they’ll accept payment via credit or debit card.
Grocery Pick-Up
Grocery Pick-Up is a service that allows you to shop for the items you need online and have them delivered to your car in the parking lot when you arrive at the store. It’s free of charge and available at most Vons locations.
Here’s how it works!
- Go to Vons.com and click “Sign In/Sign Up.”
- Click “Create an Account” or sign in if you already have one.
- Once you’re signed in, search for a store near you.
- Click “Shop Now” to start shopping for groceries online.
- Add any items you want to buy to your cart, including those usually purchased with your EBT card.
- When checking out, choose “Pick Up” as your delivery method and select a date and time slot that works best for you to come by the store.
- At checkout, enter a valid credit or debit card number into which we can run your EBT card information.
What Can You Buy At Vons With EBT?
Below is a list of the things you can buy at Vons with your EBT card:
- Fresh, frozen, and canned produce
- Meat and seafood
- Dairy products
- Soft & Energy drinks like Pepsi, Sprite, Red Bull, among others
- Dessert items like brownies, cookies, ice cream, etc.
- Snack foods such as chips, nuts, pretzels, popcorn, and jerky.
- Bread and cereals
- Poultry products like chicken meat and eggs.
- Cooking oils like olive, coconut, and vegetable oil.
- Wonton wrappers
- Poke bowl
- Fruits and vegetables.
What Items Are Not Eligible with EBT At Vons?
Unfortunately, there are quite a few items that you won’t be able to purchase with your EBT card at Vons.
They include:
- Medicine and vitamins
- Tobacco products like cigarettes
- Fuel
- Alcoholic beverages like wine, beer, and spirits
- Cosmetics and feminine products
- Products with supplements labels
- Cleaning supplies like soap
- Household products
- Dry ice
- Pet food
Note that you can purchase hot and ready foods at Vons with your EBT card in California. This is because California participates in the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP); hence, you can buy hot prepared food at the Vons deli with an EBT card. However, this is restricted to Vons stores that are under the RMP.
If you receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), you can also buy gas and medicine with an EBT card at Vons. All you need to do is withdraw cash at Quest ATMs and use it for gas and medicine at the store.
Can You Use Coupons With EBT at Vons?
Yes. You can use coupons with your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card as long as the item you purchase is eligible for purchase using food stamps. Coupons will usually reduce the cash you owe for the eligible entity. However, coupons that give you a free item are not considered valid when using an EBT card.
FAQs
Does Vons accept EBT online?
Yes. Vons accepts EBT online. Your card account will be electronically debited after your purchase is shipped. Vons makes shopping with EBT online a breeze, as you can shop in the comfort of your home and have the goods delivered to your doorstep.
Can You Use EBT at Vons for Grocery Delivery?
Yes. You can use EBT at Vons for grocery delivery. Vons offers delivery via Instacart and Amazon, which accepts most forms of payment, including EBT. If you’re interested in grocery delivery but need to use an EBT card, look at our list of stores that accept EBT for online grocery pickup and delivery.
Does Starbucks in Vons take EBT?
No. Starbucks does not accept EBT cards for payment at its stores. However, some stores within grocery and retail stores like Walmart, Safeway, and Target, licensed to sell Starbucks products, may accept EBT cards with restrictions.
Does Vons deli take EBT?
Vons deli does not take EBT for hot and ready-to-eat foods. However, it accepts EBT In California as the state participates in the Restaurant and Meals Program(RMP).
Does Vons take EBT through Instacart?
Yes, Vons does accept EBT through Instacart. You can shop online and have your grocery delivered through Instacart when you pay with an EBT card.
Conclusion
Vons accepts EBT as a form of payment for food items. The cashier will swipe the EBT card, and your items will be deducted from your balance. It is recommended to always check the SNAP-approved items before shopping to avoid returning items while at the cashier. Also, ensure that the Vons store participates in the Restaurant and Meals Program (RMP) before purchasing hot foods at the deli to avoid disappointments.
