Does Hy-Vee take EBT? Yes! Here's Your Step-by-Step Guide

Does Hy-Vee take EBT? Absolutely! Hy-Vee welcomes Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants, making it easy to use your benefits for both in-store and select online purchases. Whether you're shopping for fresh produce, pantry staples, or prepared meals, you can confidently use your EBT card at Hy-Vee, either at the checkout counter or for eligible online pickup and delivery orders.

What EBT Benefits Are Accepted?

Hy-Vee primarily accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through EBT cards. These benefits are designed to help individuals and families purchase food items to maintain a healthy diet.

While Hy-Vee focuses on SNAP EBT acceptance, some stores may also accept benefits from other programs such as:

• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): These benefits are specifically for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and young children. They cover specific nutritious foods like infant formula, baby food, fruits, and vegetables.
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): While primarily for cash assistance, some states allow a portion of TANF funds to be loaded onto EBT cards for food purchases.

It's always best to confirm with your local Hy-Vee store regarding the specific types of EBT benefits they accept.

How to Use Your EBT Card at Hy-Vee

Hy-Vee provides several convenient ways to utilize your EBT benefits:

In-Store Purchases:

1. Shop: Select your SNAP-eligible groceries from the wide variety available at Hy-Vee.
2. Checkout: At the register, simply present your EBT card to the cashier.
3. Enter PIN: You'll be prompted to enter your four-digit PIN to authorize the transaction.
4. Receipt: The cashier will provide a receipt showing the transaction details and your remaining EBT balance.

Hy-Vee Aisles Online Pickup:

1. Order Online: Visit the Hy-Vee Aisles Online platform through their website or mobile app.
2. Choose Pickup: Select "Pickup" as your preferred shopping method.
3. Select EBT: During checkout, choose "SNAP/EBT" as your payment option.
4. Pickup: Arrive at your selected Hy-Vee location and proceed to the designated pickup area.
5. Pay with EBT: Present your EBT card to the Hy-Vee employee who brings your order.

Hy-Vee Aisles Online Delivery (Where Available):

1. Check Availability: Confirm if your local Hy-Vee offers online delivery with EBT payment by visiting their website or contacting the store directly.
2. Order Online: Follow the same steps as for online pickup, but choose "Delivery" instead.
3. Schedule Delivery: Select a convenient delivery time.
4. Pay with EBT: Have your EBT card ready when the Hy-Vee delivery driver arrives.

Important Notes:

• Non-SNAP Items: If your order includes items not eligible for EBT purchase (e.g., household goods, hot prepared foods), you'll need a secondary form of payment (credit/debit card or cash) to cover those costs.
• Balance Check: It's always wise to check your EBT card balance before shopping to ensure you have enough funds. You can usually do this online, by phone, or at an ATM.
• Ask for Help: Don't hesitate to ask Hy-Vee staff for assistance if you have any questions or encounter issues during checkout.

With these convenient options, Hy-Vee strives to make accessing nutritious food with your EBT benefits as easy as possible.

SNAP-Eligible Products at Hy-Vee

Hy-Vee offers a wide range of products that are eligible for purchase with your SNAP EBT benefits. These typically include:

• Fruits and Vegetables: Fresh, frozen, canned, or dried
• Meat, Poultry, and Fish: Fresh, frozen, or canned
• Dairy Products: Milk, cheese, yogurt, butter
• Bread and Cereals: Whole wheat, multigrain, rice, pasta
• Snack Foods: Nuts, seeds, popcorn
• Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Juice, water, soda
• Seeds and Plants that produce food

Identifying Eligible Items:

Hy-Vee makes it easy to spot SNAP-eligible items with clear signage throughout the store. Look for shelf tags or stickers indicating that a product can be purchased with EBT. When shopping online, filter your search results to display only SNAP-eligible items.

Restricted Items:

While Hy-Vee strives to offer a variety of options for SNAP shoppers, some items are not eligible for purchase with EBT benefits. These generally include:

• Hot Prepared Foods: Items that are hot and ready to eat, such as rotisserie chicken or deli meals
• Non-Food Items: Household goods, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products
• Alcohol and Tobacco: Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, and other tobacco products
• Vitamins and Supplements: Dietary supplements, herbal remedies
• Live Animals: Pets, livestock
• Gift Cards: Hy-Vee gift cards or gift cards for other retailers

Remember, it's always a good idea to double-check the eligibility of an item if you're unsure. Hy-Vee staff are happy to assist you with any questions you may have.

Maximizing Your EBT Benefits at Hy-Vee

Hy-Vee provides several ways to stretch your EBT benefits further and get the most value out of your grocery budget:

Hy-Vee Deals and Promotions for SNAP Recipients:

• Weekly Ads: Hy-Vee's weekly ads often feature special discounts and promotions on SNAP-eligible items. Be sure to check the ads online or in-store before you shop to take advantage of these savings.
• Fuel Saver + Perks™: This program allows you to earn discounts on fuel at Hy-Vee Gas stations based on your grocery purchases. While EBT purchases don't directly contribute to Fuel Saver + Perks™, you can still benefit from the fuel savings when you use your Hy-Vee Fuel Saver + Perks™ card for gas.
• Seasonal Sales: Hy-Vee frequently offers seasonal sales on produce and other essentials, making it a great time to stock up on healthy foods with your EBT benefits.

Using Hy-Vee Perks with EBT:

• Earn Points: Even though you can't use your EBT card to pay for your entire order if it includes ineligible items, you can still earn Hy-Vee Perks points on those purchases. These points can be redeemed for discounts on future grocery orders or fuel.
• Digital Coupons: Hy-Vee offers digital coupons through their app or website that can be loaded onto your Hy-Vee Perks card. These coupons can often be combined with your EBT benefits to maximize savings.

Combining EBT with Other Payment Methods:

• Split Tender Transactions: Hy-Vee allows you to use your EBT card to pay for SNAP-eligible items and another form of payment (credit/debit card or cash) for the remaining items in your order.
• WIC and TANF: If your local Hy-Vee accepts WIC or TANF benefits, you can use these in conjunction with your SNAP EBT to cover a broader range of items.

By utilizing these strategies, you can ensure that your EBT benefits go as far as possible, allowing you to purchase nutritious and delicious food for yourself and your family at Hy-Vee.

Finding Your Nearest Hy-Vee That Accepts EBT

Fortunately, the majority of Hy-Vee locations accept EBT benefits. Here's how you can easily find the one closest to you:

1. Hy-Vee Store Locator: The easiest way to locate a Hy-Vee store is to use their online store locator: URL:https://www.hy-vee.com/stores/
   • Simply enter your zip code, city, or state to see a list of nearby stores. You can also filter the results by store features, such as EBT acceptance or Aisles Online availability.
2. Hy-Vee Aisles Online Eligible Stores: If you're specifically interested in using your EBT benefits for online pickup or delivery, you can check the list of eligible stores on the Hy-Vee website: URL:https://www.hy-vee.com/grocery/customer-service/snap-ebt-online-eligible-stores.aspx
3. Contact Hy-Vee Customer Service: If you're unable to find the information you need online, you can always reach out to Hy-Vee customer service: The customer service team can help you locate the nearest store that accepts EBT and answer any other questions you may have.
   • Phone: 1 (800) 772-4098
   • Contact Form: https://www.hy-vee.com/pages/contact
4. Ask In-Store: If you're already at a Hy-Vee store, don't hesitate to ask a staff member for assistance. They can either confirm whether that location accepts EBT or direct you to the nearest store that does.

By using these resources, you can quickly and easily find a Hy-Vee store that accepts your EBT benefits, making it convenient to shop for nutritious food.

Alternatives to Hy-Vee That Accept EBT

If Hy-Vee isn't your preferred grocery store, or if you're looking for other options, there are many other retailers that accept EBT benefits:

• Walmart: The largest retailer in the U.S. accepts EBT in all its stores and for online grocery pickup and delivery.
• Target: Most Target stores accept EBT, and they also offer online grocery ordering with EBT payment for pickup and delivery in select areas.
• Amazon: Through Amazon Fresh stores and Whole Foods Market, Amazon accepts EBT payments for both in-store and online purchases.
• Kroger: This national grocery chain accepts EBT in all stores and for online orders with pickup or delivery.
• Aldi: Known for its budget-friendly prices, Aldi also accepts EBT at all locations.
• Trader Joe's: This specialty grocer accepts EBT in-store for a variety of unique and healthy food options.
• Local Farmers Markets: Many farmers markets accept EBT and often offer incentives to encourage SNAP recipients to purchase fresh, local produce.

This is just a small selection of the many retailers that accept EBT. Be sure to check with your local stores to confirm their EBT policy and explore the options available in your area.

Additional Resources for SNAP Recipients

Beyond grocery shopping, there are many resources available to help SNAP recipients maximize their benefits and access additional support:

Government Resources:

• Food and Nutrition Service (FNS): The federal agency responsible for administering SNAP provides information on eligibility, benefits, and program updates. You can visit their website or contact them for assistance.
  • Website: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program
  • Phone: 1-800-221-5689
• Your State SNAP Agency: Each state administers SNAP and has its own specific rules and resources. You can find your state's contact information on the FNS website.
• The National Hunger Hotline: This toll-free hotline connects you with local food pantries, government programs, and other social services.
  • Phone: 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273)

Community Organizations:

• Food Banks and Pantries: These organizations provide free or low-cost food to those in need. You can find a local food bank or pantry through Feeding America's website.
  • Website: https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank
• Community Action Agencies: These agencies offer a variety of programs to help low-income individuals and families, including food assistance, housing support, and employment services. You can find your local agency through the Community Action Partnership website.
• SNAP-Ed: This program provides nutrition education and resources to SNAP recipients. You can find your state's SNAP-Ed program through the USDA website.
  • Website: https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/

Online Resources:

• Benefits.gov: This government website provides information on various federal benefit programs, including SNAP.
  • Website: https://www.benefits.gov/
• WhyHunger: This non-profit organization offers resources and advocacy on food insecurity and hunger.
  • Website: https://whyhunger.org/

By utilizing these resources, you can ensure that you're getting the most out of your SNAP benefits and accessing the additional support available to you. Remember, you're not alone in this journey – there are many organizations and individuals dedicated to helping you thrive.

Frequently Asked Questions