Sam’s Club’s unique, members-only retail warehouses offer working families a great way to stock up on groceries and other essentials by selling products in bulk at lower prices than traditional retailers in exchange for an annual membership fee. As of 2026, that fee is $50 for a basic (Club) membership or $110 for a premium (Plus) membership, although the warehouse club frequently offers steep membership discounts for new members. 

For frequent shoppers, especially those with large families, the annual savings that come from shopping at Sam’s easily outweigh the cost of membership. But can shoppers with SNAP benefits (AKA food stamps) use their EBT cards to pay for their Sam’s Club purchases?

The short answer is yes, but there are several restrictions and other considerations to keep in mind. Here’s everything you need to know about using your EBT (electronic benefits transfer) at Sam’s Club. 

Does Sam’s Club accept EBT (food stamps)?

Yes, Sam’s Club accepts EBT card payments at all of its stores for approved grocery items. Groceries purchased via EBT are not subject to local or state taxes. 

Can you use EBT to pay for groceries on the Sam’s Club app and online?

You can use your EBT card to pay for items purchased in the Sam’s Club app, but only for in-person club purchases via the Scan & Go feature, which allows shoppers to scan the barcodes of their items, pay for them in the app, then show a QR code generated by the app to the exit employee in place of a receipt. 

Unfortunately, EBT cards cannot be used to shop on the Sam’s Club website, nor can they be used to pay for delivery or curbside pickup orders. 

Related: How much is a Sam’s Club membership? Club vs. Plus explained

What can you buy at Sam’s Club with an EBT card?

According to the USDA, SNAP recipients can purchase the following types of groceries at Costco with their EBT cards: 

• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products
• Breads and cereals
• Other foods (including snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages)
• Seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat

What can’t you buy at Sam’s Club with an EBT card?

The following types of items cannot be purchased with an EBT card (at Sam’s Club or anywhere else):

• Hot food
• Pet food
• Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered prior to pick-up from the store)
• Food and drinks that contain controlled substances (e.g., marijuana or CBD)
• Beer, wine, and liquor
• Cigarettes and tobacco
• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements 
• Household supplies
• Cosmetics and hygiene products
• Gasoline

Related: Costco vs. Sam’s Club: Memberships, prices & perks compared

How to use your EBT card to pay for groceries at Sam’s Club

To pay for groceries with your SNAP benefits at Sam’s Club, simply swipe your EBT card at checkout or hand it to your cashier. If you are purchasing non-EBT-eligible items in addition to groceries, you’ll need to use an additional payment method—like cash or card—to finish the payment process. 

Alternatively, if you prefer to use Sam’s Club’s Scan & Go feature, simply enter your EBT card details on the app during checkout. Once you’ve done this, the app should store your EBT card as a saved payment method for future purchases. 

If your Scan & Go purchase includes non-EBT-eligible items in addition to groceries, you will need to add another payment method (like a debit or credit card) to complete the transaction. 

More on warehouse club shopping:

• 4 ways to shop at Costco without a membership
• Costco shop cards & how they work: Everything you need to know
• When does Costco open & close? Everything you need to know
• Does Costco take Apple Pay? How to use a mobile wallet at the warehouse club

Can you return items you purchased at Sam’s Club with an EBT card?

Yes, items purchased at Sam’s Club with an EBT card can be returned for a full refund within 90 days of purchase. Refunds are added to the shopper’s SNAP EBT account. Refunds in the form of cash or gift cards are not available for EBT purchases. 

Can you pay for a Sam’s Club membership with an EBT card?

Sam’s Club memberships cannot be purchased directly with an EBT card. 

However, if you purchase a Sam’s Club Plus membership, you get 2% cash back on all of your Sam’s Club purchases for the year up to $500. If you earn $110 or more in cash back over the year, you can use this credit to pay for the next year of your Sam’s Club Plus membership and continue to do this year after year. 

Related: Costco Anywhere Visa vs. Sam’s Club Mastercard: How the warehouse club credit cards compare

What other payment methods does Sam’s Club accept? 

Source: Sam’s Club