5 Below does not accept EBT cards for most purchases

5 Below is a discount retailer that sells toys, home goods, electronics, and seasonal items — almost none of which are food. Because EBT cards only work for food and certain plant seeds, you cannot use your card at 5 Below for the products the store actually sells.

The only exception is if 5 Below carries food items in a particular location. Some 5 Below stores stock snacks, candy, or beverages in limited sections. If your local store does carry food, you can use your EBT card only on those specific items, not on anything else in the store.

To know whether your nearest 5 Below accepts EBT at all, you need to call that store directly. EBT acceptance varies by location and changes over time, so a store that takes EBT today might not tomorrow, or vice versa. The store's manager or customer service desk can tell you in one call whether they stock any EBT-may be able to access items and whether their register is set up to process SNAP payments.

Key Takeaways

  • 5 Below primarily sells non-food items like toys and home goods, which EBT does not cover.
  • A small number of 5 Below locations may stock food items, and EBT would work only on those products.
  • You must contact your specific 5 Below store to ask whether it accepts EBT, since policies differ by location.
  • EBT cards work only at retailers that are authorized by your state's SNAP program and only on may be able to access food purchases.

How to learn about your local 5 Below takes EBT

The fastest way is to call the store directly. Look up the phone number on the 5 Below website or Google Maps, then ask whether they accept EBT and what food items, if any, they carry. Speaking to someone at the store gives you the most current information, since policies can shift when management changes or inventory is updated.

You can also visit the store in person and look for the SNAP logo at the checkout. If you see it, the store is authorized to take EBT. If you do not see it, EBT will not work there. The logo is usually displayed near the register or on the storefront window.

Another option is to check your state's SNAP retailer directory. Each state maintains a list of stores authorized to accept EBT. You can search by store name or location to see whether 5 Below appears in your area. Your state's Department of Social Services or SNAP program website has a link to this directory, and you can search it from home without calling.

What you can buy with EBT at stores that accept it

EBT covers fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy, breads, cereals, snack foods, and non-alcoholic beverages. It also covers seeds and plants that produce food. These rules are the same at every store, whether it is a supermarket or a 5 Below location.

EBT does not cover hot or prepared foods, vitamins, medicines, pet food, household supplies, or anything that is not food. At 5 Below, this means your EBT card would work only on packaged snacks or beverages if the store carries them, not on toys, decorations, or other merchandise. The store's register system is programmed to know which items are may be able to access and which are not.

The cashier's register will tell you which items are EBT-may be able to access when you check out. If you try to buy something that is not covered, the register will decline it, and you can pay with a different payment method instead. This happens automatically — the register does not require the cashier to make a judgment call.

Why most 5 Below stores do not carry EBT-may be able to access food

5 Below's business model focuses on discount non-food merchandise. The store does not stock groceries or fresh produce the way a supermarket does. Most locations have no food section at all, which means there is nothing to buy with EBT. The company's supply chain and warehouse operations are built around toys, home décor, and seasonal goods.

Even when a 5 Below does carry snacks or drinks, those items are usually a small part of the store's inventory. The store is not set up as a food retailer, so it is not a practical place to spend your SNAP benefits. You will find a much wider selection of EBT-may be able to access food at a grocery store, supermarket, or farmers market.

Other places where EBT works

Supermarkets and grocery stores are the most common places to use EBT. These include large chains like Walmart, Target, and Kroger, as well as independent grocery stores and farmers markets. Most of these retailers have full food sections and are set up to process SNAP payments at every checkout.

Some convenience stores, dollar stores, and pharmacies also accept EBT, though their food selection is usually limited to packaged items like bread, milk, and canned goods. Food co-ops and some online retailers like Amazon Fresh and Instacart accept EBT in certain states. Your state's SNAP retailer directory shows every authorized location near you, so you can see the full range of options in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use EBT to buy anything else at 5 Below?

No. EBT works only on food and seeds that produce food. Toys, home goods, electronics, and seasonal items are not covered, no matter which store you shop at. If 5 Below carries food, EBT works only on those items.

What if I use my EBT card at 5 Below and it gets declined?

The decline means either the store does not accept EBT, or the item you tried to buy is not EBT-may be able to access. You can pay with cash, a debit card, or a credit card instead. Ask the cashier which items, if any, are covered by EBT at that location.

Do all 5 Below stores have the same EBT policy?

No. Each store location decides whether to stock food and whether to accept EBT. One 5 Below might take EBT while another across town does not. Always call ahead or check your state's retailer directory for your specific location.

How do I find stores near me that take EBT?

Search your state's SNAP retailer directory by entering your address or zip code. The directory shows all authorized retailers in your area, including supermarkets, grocery stores, and any other locations that accept EBT. You can also call 211 to ask which stores near you take EBT.