Yes, Costco accepts SNAP benefits at most locations, but with important limits on what you can buy

Costco takes SNAP EBT cards (the card that holds your food benefits) at warehouse locations across the United States. However, Costco's membership model and product mix mean you cannot buy everything in the store with SNAP. You can purchase food items intended for home preparation — produce, meat, dairy, bread, canned goods, and frozen vegetables. You cannot use SNAP to buy prepared foods from the food court, rotisserie chickens, vitamins, alcohol, or non-food items like cleaning supplies or clothing.

Costco.com (the online shopping site) does not currently accept SNAP benefits, even for delivery to your home. You must shop in person at a physical warehouse location. Additionally, you need a Costco membership to enter the warehouse and make purchases — SNAP does not waive the membership fee, though Costco occasionally offers discounted membership rates for lower-income households.

Key Takeaways

  • Costco warehouse locations accept SNAP EBT cards for may be able to access food items, but Costco.com does not.
  • You can buy raw ingredients, produce, meat, dairy, and packaged foods with SNAP, but not prepared foods, vitamins, or non-food items.
  • A Costco membership is required to shop at the warehouse, and SNAP does not cover the membership fee.
  • The food court and rotisserie chicken counter are not SNAP-may be able to access because those items are considered prepared foods.

What food items you can and cannot buy with SNAP at Costco

SNAP covers foods meant to be prepared and eaten at home. At Costco, this includes fresh produce (apples, lettuce, berries), raw meat and poultry (chicken breasts, ground beef, salmon), dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt), eggs, bread, pasta, rice, canned vegetables and beans, frozen vegetables without sauce, peanut butter, and cereal. Bulk sizes are fine — SNAP does not restrict the quantity you buy, only the type of item.

Items you cannot buy with SNAP at Costco include anything from the food court (pizza, hot dogs, sandwiches), rotisserie chickens and prepared deli items, vitamins and supplements, alcohol and tobacco, pet food, household supplies, clothing, electronics, and medications. If an item has a nutrition label that says it is meant to be eaten as-is without preparation, it is likely not SNAP-may be able to access. When in doubt, ask a Costco cashier before checkout — they can tell you whether a specific item will go through on your EBT card.

How to use your EBT card at Costco checkout

Bring your SNAP EBT card to the warehouse along with your membership card. When you reach the checkout, tell the cashier you are paying with EBT. They will run your card through the payment terminal the same way they would a debit card. You will be asked to enter your PIN. The transaction will process when ready, and your SNAP balance will be reduced by the amount of may be able to access purchases.

If you have both SNAP-may be able to access and ineligible items in your cart, the cashier will separate them at checkout. Only the may be able to access food items will be charged to your EBT card. You will need to pay for ineligible items (like vitamins or household goods) with another payment method — cash, debit card, or credit card. This separation happens automatically; you do not need to do anything special.

Costco membership and SNAP: what you need to know

Costco membership is not free, and SNAP does not pay for it. A Gold Star membership (the basic option) costs money upfront, and you must have active membership to enter the warehouse. However, Costco periodically offers discounted or promotional membership rates for members of certain information programs. Contact your local Costco warehouse directly to ask whether they are currently running a reduced-rate membership promotion — availability and terms vary by location.

Some states and local nonprofits also run programs that help low-income households pay for Costco membership. Your local food bank or SNAP outreach office may know whether such a program exists in your area. If cost is a barrier, it is worth asking — the bulk pricing at Costco can stretch a SNAP budget further than smaller grocery stores, so the membership may pay for itself quickly.

Why Costco.com does not accept SNAP

Costco's online shopping platform does not currently process SNAP payments. This is a business decision by Costco, not a federal rule. Many large retailers, including Amazon Fresh and Walmart.com, have only recently begun accepting SNAP for online orders, and the process is still rolling out unevenly across the country. Costco has not yet implemented this feature on its website.

If you want to use SNAP at Costco, you must shop in person at a warehouse location. You cannot order online for pickup or delivery. If online grocery shopping is important to you, check whether other retailers in your area — such as Walmart, Amazon Fresh, or your local supermarket — accept SNAP for delivery in your state.

Finding a Costco warehouse near you that takes SNAP

Nearly all Costco warehouse locations in the United States accept SNAP, but it is worth confirming before you make the trip. Call the warehouse closest to you and ask whether they accept SNAP EBT cards. You can find warehouse phone numbers and locations on Costco.com by using their warehouse locator tool. A quick phone call takes two minutes and saves you a wasted trip.

If you do not have a Costco membership yet and want to know whether membership is worth the cost, ask the warehouse staff about current membership rates and any ongoing promotions for lower-income households. Some locations may offer a trial period or a discounted first membership to help you decide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my EBT card at the Costco food court?

No. The food court sells prepared foods like pizza, hot dogs, and sandwiches, which are not covered by SNAP. You can only use SNAP for raw ingredients and unprepared foods that you will cook at home.

What if I do not have a Costco membership?

You cannot enter the warehouse without a membership. However, Costco sometimes offers discounted membership rates for lower-income households. Call your local warehouse to ask about current promotions, or contact a local food bank to see whether they know of membership information programs in your area.

Can I buy rotisserie chicken with SNAP at Costco?

No. Rotisserie chickens are considered prepared foods and are not SNAP-may be able to access. You can buy raw chicken breasts or whole chickens with SNAP and prepare them yourself at home.

Do I need to separate my SNAP and non-SNAP items before checkout?

You do not have to separate them yourself. The cashier will do this at checkout. may be able to access food items will be charged to your EBT card, and you will pay for ineligible items with another payment method.

Does Costco accept EBT in every state?

SNAP is a federal program, so Costco accepts it in all states where Costco operates. However, specific warehouse locations and their hours may vary. Call ahead to confirm your local warehouse accepts SNAP and to check their hours.