Does CVS Take EBT (Everything You Need to Know About Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)

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CVS is a popular retail pharmacy with several sites around the world, In It is the largest pharmacy chain, with more than 9,000 stores throughout the US. It provides a wide range of products and services to its customers. EBT accepts a variety of payment options like EBT. Here’s everything you need to know about using EBT at CVS.

As of 2022, CVS accepts EBT as a payment method at almost all its stores. This offers a lot of convenience for people using EBT to purchase food items. AT CVS, you will only be able to use your EBT card to purchase foodstuffs that are categorized as SNAP-eligible food. 

Certain items like medications are forbidden under SNAP guidelines. Therefore, you will not be able to use your EBT card to pay for any medications purchased at CVS. Similarly, you will not be able to use your EBT card for online purchases. To buy things from the CVS website, you have to use other forms of payment. 

How to Use EBT for Payments at CVS

AT CVS, your EBT card can be essentially used in the same way you use it at any other store. You will have to go to the payment counter to finish making the payment. If you want to pay for things using your EBT card, you must double-check your balance by looking at your most recent receipt. If you are unable to locate it, you may contact customer care at the toll-free hotline designated for your region. 

You should always check your balance to make sure you have enough money to buy the items you would like to buy since, like a credit card, an EBT card has a spending restriction. After you have determined that you have sufficient remaining balance, go to your local CVS shop that takes the EBT payments and purchases the products you need.

  1. At the checkout counter, you may be requested to sort the eligible products from the non-eligible ones to complete your purchase. If you are lucky, they will sort this for you.

 

  1. After that, you’ll either swipe it at the card machine or give it over to a shop staffer who will swipe it on your behalf. 

 

  1. After that, you must input your PIN, which is secret and only appears as **** since it is only visible to you. 
  2. Following that hit “Input” to allow the cashier to put the amount charged for just the products that are eligible for EBT benefits. 
  3. Complete the payment by hitting the “OK” or “YES” button, and afterward, take the receipt from the machine. The receipt includes the name and location of the retailer, the price of the purchase, as well as the amount of the new balance.

 

What Kind of Items Can You Purchase at CVS Using Your EBT Card?

EBT cards may be used to purchase any of the necessities, as per the criteria of the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). The items that you will be able to purchase include meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, bread, snacks, whole milk foods, nonalcoholic drinks, and cereals. But, since CVS is a pharmaceutical shop, it is always a good idea to inquire as to whether or not the store has the food staples you need, as they may not carry all of the things listed above.

 

What Products Cannot Be Purchased at CVS Using EBT Benefits?

According to the SNAP criteria, any item that does not qualify as a food need is immediately excluded from the list of things that may be purchased with your Food Stamp or EBT card. Therefore, you will not be able to use your EBT card to buy medication, pets, pet essentials, wine, cigarettes, liquor, tobacco, and all other unhealthy items.

 

Can you use your EBT card to pay for Items Purchases Online?

CVS does not accept EBT for purchases that are made online. Furthermore, EBT cards are not included in the list of approved means of payment on the CVS app. If you purchase items from cvs.com, you can pay for those items using your visa card, American Express card, master card, or discover card. 

 

Can You Return Food Purchased with EBT at CVS? 

CVS allows you to return food items that you purchased using the EBT card. It has a 60-day return period. Therefore, the purchased items must be returned within this time to get a refund or an exchange. Generally, SNAP consumers and ordinary customers are treated in the same way.

As a result of CVS’s 60-day return policy, products purchased at CVS using a SNAP EBT card are entitled to the same return policy as those purchased elsewhere. Always remember that CVS maintains the right to restrict or deny any refunds, returns, or exchanges. If your returns are approved, your refund will be sent straight to your EBT card after passing through a third-party inspection and verification procedure. 

Refunds of cashback for SNAP products are not permitted under any conditions whatsoever. You will have to carry your receipt and the products need to be in their original packaging as well as unopened if you want to increase your chances of receiving EBT food refunds.

 

Conclusion

CVS accepts EBT at nearly all of its stores. If you would like to spare yourself the trouble of making a second trip to the store, you first must determine if your local CVS takes EBT before making the trip. Also, keep in mind that you may only use your EBT card in-store, it does not take EBT cards for purchases that are made on its app or those made through the website. Furthermore, the EBT card can only be used to purchase food basics that are considered necessary. Using the EBT card at CVS is similar to how you use your credit card or debit card at any other store. You are also allowed to return items purchased using EBT for a refund or an exchange.

 

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