The U.S. supermarket chain Trader Joe’s is well known for its low prices compared to other American supermarkets and the variety of products it offers. What started as a convenience store now has 530 branches throughout the United States.
Among the benefits of Trader Joe’s are the different payment methods, which provide convenience to supermarket customers. Among the payment systems available, Trader Joe’s states that it is possible to pay bills in its stores using EBT cards, generating opportunities for families with incomes below the American average.
Does Trader Joe’s accept EBT?
EBT cards are generated through SNAP programs, formerly known as food stamps. These cards are not accepted at every grocery store or supermarket in the country.
To pay your bill with your EBT card, you must make sure that the store is enrolled in the SNAP program. But don’t worry; Trader Joe’s supermarket chain is part of the program, so you can order your card and use it without hassle.
How to order an EBT card
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known by its acronym SNAP, is administered by the Department of Agriculture as financial aid to those who qualify as low-income family units. The program provides nutritional benefits through an Electronic Benefits Transfer or EBT card.
However, to use the EBT card, you must first enroll in the SNAP program; once approved, you can apply for a card and use it at affiliated locations to pay only for certain basic items. Note that the SNAP program website varies depending on the U.S. state where you live.
Who can be in the SNAP program?
The SNAP program aims to help the families that need it most; therefore, to qualify for these benefits, you must apply at any SNAP office in the State where you reside to be part of the program.
SNAP will ask for your personal and family information, from the most basic data, such as your ID or birth certificate, to more specifics, such as how many people live in your home, how much is the net monthly salary, how many people are of working age, who the head of the household is and other information they consider relevant.
Suppose the program considers that your family is in a financial state below the American average and proves that they need financial support to improve the family’s nutrition. In that case, they will be accepted into the program. Otherwise, if the State decides that the family can financially support themselves and have good nutrition, they will be denied SNAP benefits.
However, if your family is found to be ineligible, the application can be re-applied months later, and the State will reconsider the family again.
How to activate my EBT card
Once accepted, the State will mail you an EBT card along with an instruction guide on activating it via a phone call or on the SNAP website.
Telephone
You will find a customer service number on the back of the generic card. You will be answered by an automated system, which will guide you through the steps to follow for the correct activation of the EBT card.
The system will ask you to enter the card number and the PIN code on the back of the card. When entering this information, the system will also ask for the last four digits of your social security number and the registered zip code. This information must be the same as that entered on the SNAP application. Otherwise, the card will not be activated.
Online
In the guide booklet that comes with the card, the web address belonging to your State should appear; this is important because you must remember that the State is the one that provides the service; therefore, it must be activated in the portal of that State.
When you enter the page, you must follow the instructions, which will ask for the card number and the PIN right on the back of the card.
It will also ask for your Social Security number and personal information, such as name, zip code, and address.
How to use my EBT card at Trader Joe’s
Using the EBT card is simple. Although it is not considered a debit or a credit card because an American bank does not generate it, it is used similarly. To pay, you only have to swipe it at the point of sale with your data, and your selected password will deduct the money as in a regular debit card.
References
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“General FAQs.” Trader Joe’s, https://www.traderjoes.com/home/FAQ/general-faqs.