Online grocery shopping and delivery can be a lifeline for people who can't easily access grocery stores, lack transportation, or find it difficult to shop due to disability or other health reasons.

For people with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, some delivery services now accept electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards as a payment method. EBT cards can be used at card payment terminals just like a prepaid debit card to buy approved foods at stores that accept SNAP.

DoorDash is one of the latest delivery services to welcome EBT card payments for SNAP-approved purchases.

What is DoorDash?

DoorDash is a popular food ordering and delivery service. You can download the mobile app (on the App Store or Google Play Store) or visit its website to place an order. People called “Dashers” then pick up your order and deliver it to your door.

Keep in mind, using DoorDash does come with extra costs, including delivery fees, service fees, fees for small orders, and fees for deliveries farther away. One way to get free delivery and lower fees is by signing up for DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service.

When you sign up for the SNAP/EBT DashPass Plan, you can pay a discounted price of $4.99 a month for one year (normally $9.99 a month).

What stores on DoorDash accept EBT cards?

There are many stores on DoorDash that accept EBT cards, including:

  • Albertsons
  • Aldi
  • BJ's Wholesale Club
  • Dollar General
  • Duane Reade
  • Food City
  • Food Lion
  • Safeway
  • Meijer (select stores)
  • 7-Eleven (select stores)

DoorDash accepts EBT card payments at participating stores only. Check the DoorDash app or website and search for grocery stores in your area. See if any say they accept EBT (you may need to check the store's page or notes).

How do I use my EBT card on DoorDash?

To spend your SNAP benefits on DoorDash, you need to create a new DoorDash account if you don't already have one. Once you've signed up, you can then add your EBT card information to your account and keep it safely stored there.

When you are shopping on the DoorDash app or website, look for stores and products featuring a SNAP label. The same rules apply on DoorDash for what you can and can't buy with SNAP.

SNAP-approved items include:

  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Meat, poultry, and fish
  • Breads and cereals
  • Condiments, spices, and seasonings
  • Dairy products
  • Baked goods
  • Snacks
  • Some beverages (water, iced tea, fruit juice, etc.)

When you reach checkout, choose the option “Pay with SNAP” and enter the amount you would like applied toward your EBT card. You can view your EBT account balance by entering your card pin.

You can buy SNAP-approved items at the same time as non-SNAP items. But items in your cart that are not SNAP approved—along with any taxes, DoorDash fees, and driver tip—must be paid using a different payment method. You can add a debit or credit card to your DoorDash account as a payment method for non-SNAP items.  

How do I apply for SNAP so I can use an EBT card to buy groceries?

To learn more about SNAP, click here and type in your ZIP code. It's worth checking if you qualify for food assistance, since the average SNAP benefit for a one-person senior household is $188 per month ($2,256 per year).1

If you need more help, there may be an NCOA Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC) near you. BECs are local groups that help perople find and sign up for benefit programs like SNAP. To get started, contact the BEC closest to you and make an appointment. They will help you apply.

Source

1. USDA. Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 2023. April 2025. Found on the internet at https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/snap-FY23-Characteristics-Report.pdf