Can you add EBT to Apple Pay?
No, right now you can’t add your EBT card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or any other mobile wallet apps in most states. That’s because EBT cards use a digital system that doesn’t support mobile payment technology yet.
Three states, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Oklahoma, are testing use of mobile payment technology for EBT through a pilot program that was announced in 2023, but even in those states, Apple Pay may still not work because of the requirement that EBT card users enter a PIN at checkout.
To buy SNAP eligible groceries in person, you still need to physically swipe, insert, or tap your EBT card at checkout and enter your PIN.
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Can I use EBT online without Apple Pay?#can-i-use-ebt-online-without-apple-pay
Yes, you can use your EBT card to shop online at retailers that accept SNAP for delivery or pickup, even without Apple Pay—you just need to enter your EBT card information for payment.
You can shop directly at retailer websites or use a service like Instacart or Doordash to pay with your EBT card online.
Many stores accept EBT for online orders, including:
You’ll need to enter your EBT card number and PIN at checkout or add your EBT card to your online account in advance.
Since SNAP benefits can’t be used for non-eligible items or service fees, you still need a backup payment method like a credit or debit card to cover those.
Will Apple Pay ever work with EBT cards?#will-apple-pay-ever-work-with-ebt-cards
You might be able to use Apple Pay with EBT in the future. A mobile payment technology pilot is underway in several states, with the hope that using EBT through smartphone wallets could be a convenient and safe option for people who get SNAP benefits.
And as states test new technology and use more new EBT systems, like chip cards and tap-to-pay, adding EBT to mobile wallets like Apple Pay may become an option for more people. But for now, there’s no official timeline.
