Lidl is a discount grocery store chain that has experienced exponential growth in popularity over the years.
If you’re wondering if Lidl accepts EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) – a method by which SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits are distributed to recipients – then you’re not alone as many other Lidl shoppers who are also recipients of this program are also looking to know if the store will accept their EBT cards too.
EBT is a government program that provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families.
The good news is that Lidl does accept EBT as a form of payment. Customers can use their EBT card to purchase eligible food items at Lidl stores.
In this article, we will take a deep dive into Lidl’s acceptance of EBT as a form of payment as well as other information you might need while shopping with an EBT card at Lidl.
Does Lidl Take EBT As A Form Of Payment?
Yes, Lidl does take EBT cards as a form of payment at their stores around the United States.
EBT which stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer is a government program that enables eligible individuals to purchase food and other household items using a card that functions like a debit card.
Lidl only accepts EBT as a form of payment to purchase SNAP-eligible items.
SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which assists low-income individuals and families. Lidl appears on the SNAP Retail Locator, which finds locations near you that accept EBT. Locations can be found by city and state or zip code.
It is important to note that while Lidl does accept EBT, it does not accept WIC (Women, Infants, and Children).
Does Lidl Accept EBT Payments When Shopping Online?
Unfortunately, Lidl does not accept EBT payments when shopping online.
As an Aldi shopper, you can only use your EBT card to purchase eligible items physically in any of their stores near you.
For online payments, Lidl only accepts major credit cards, including VISA, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, as well as contactless payments such as Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Lidl gift cards.
To use EBT benefits at Lidl, customers must physically visit a store location and purchase eligible items with their EBT card. Lidl has many store locations throughout the United States that allow customers to use their EBT benefits.
Shopping At Lidl With An EBT Card: How To Pay (Easy Steps)
Shopping at Lidl with an EBT card is easy and convenient. Lidl accepts EBT cards for eligible food items. Here are the steps to pay with an EBT card at Lidl:
- Select your items: Walk around and choose the items you want to purchase and make sure they are eligible for purchase with an EBT card.
- Proceed to checkout: Head to the checkout counter and inform the cashier that you will be paying with an EBT card.
- Swipe your card: The cashier will ask you to swipe your EBT card through the card reader. Make sure you enter your correct PIN to complete the transaction.
- Pay any remaining balance: If your EBT card does not cover the entire purchase cost, you will need to pay the remaining balance using another form of payment such as cash or a debit card.
- Take your receipt and items: Once the transaction is complete, take your receipt and items and enjoy your purchase.
It’s important to note that EBT cards cannot be used to purchase non-food items such as household supplies or personal hygiene products. Also, EBT cards cannot be used for delivery or service fees..
Eligible and Ineligible EBT Purchases
Items You Can Buy At Lidl With Your EBT Card
Lidl accepts Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards only for items that are eligible for purchase under SNAP.
Below is a comprehensive list of items you can buy at Lidl with your EBT card. Note that these items can only be bought in-store and not online with your card because Lidl doesn’t accept EBT for online purchases.
- Milk
- Meat
- Bread
- Cereal
- Fruits and vegetables
- Canned fish
- Rice
- Pasta
- Seeds and plants
- Diary (cheese, yogurt, milk)
- Juice (no carbonated)
- Soy products
- Peanut butter
Generally, you can buy all essential groceries at Lidl with your EBT card. Purchasing other non-essential consumables is simply not allowed if you are paying with EBT.
Items You Cannot Buy With Your EBT Card At Lidl
You cannot use your EBT card to purchase non-food items such as alcohol, tobacco, and other household items. These items are considered ineligible for purchase with an EBT card.
Here is a complete list of items you cannot purchase with an EBT card at Lidl.
- Beer
- Wine (Alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
- Liquor
- Cigarettes
- Tobacco
- Vitamins, medicines, and supplements
- Live animals
- Pet food
- Cleaning supplies
- Cosmetics
- Antiseptic and other hygiene items.
What Happens If You Use Your EBT Card For Unapproved Items At Lidl?
If you use your EBT card to purchase non-food items or items that are not eligible for purchase with an EBT card, you may be banned from the store, and depending on how strict the rules of the specific store are, you may not be able to access the store for a long time.
Typically, if it is your first unapproved EBT purchase at Lidl, you could get a ban of up to 3 months or slightly longer.
If you have been banned in the past for purchasing an unapproved item with your EBT card at any Lidl store, then you could get another ban of up to 1 year and in some cases, 2 years.
To avoid getting banned, we recommend keeping track of your EBT card balance and only using the card to purchase approved items.
Lidl provides a receipt for every transaction made with an EBT card, which shows the EBT card balance and the items purchased. In case of returns, the refunded amount will be credited back to the EBT card balance.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as Food Stamps, is designed to help low-income families and individuals purchase nutritious food. Misusing the program can result in penalties and disqualification from the program.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Lidl is an authorized retailer that accepts EBT payments for nutritious groceries.
Customers can purchase a variety of healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, meats, whole wheat bread, grains, canned fish, juice, and milk using their EBT card at any Lidl store location.
SNAP is a government assistance program that provides benefits to low-income families and individuals. Lidl’s acceptance of EBT payments offers convenience to those who rely on SNAP benefits to purchase groceries.
