Does Aldi Accept EBT in Florida? (Food Stamps + More)

If you’re struggling to buy food in Florida, you might be wondering where you can use your food assistance. Does Aldi accept EBT in Florida?

All Aldi locations in the United States offer the option to pay with EBT or SNAP benefits. You can use your EBT card in-store or online for curbside pickup and delivery of your groceries through Instacart. You can also make multiple payments if you also want to buy something at Aldi that isn’t eligible for SNAP.

How can you use your EBT card at Aldi? I’ll answer that along with how SNAP works in Florida.

Table of Contents

What Can I Buy at Aldi with EBT?

You can use your EBT card at Aldi to buy anything which qualifies under the SNAP program. This includes:

Dairy Products (butter, milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.)
Breads and cereals
Meat, Poultry, and Fish
Fruits and Vegetables
Non-Alcoholic beverages
Snack foods
Seeds and plants to grow your own food

You can use your EBT debit card just like any other debit card. If you’re still confused, check out this helpful video.

What Can’t I Buy at Aldi with EBT?

There are several items you’ll find at a grocery store which do not qualify for SNAP benefits. You’ll have to use cash or a different debit or credit card for things like:

Alcohol
Medicine
Vitamins and other supplements
Cigarettes and tobacco
Hygiene items
Pet food
Cosmetics
Cleaning Supplies
Paper products
Foods you’re going to eat in the store
Hot foods

How Do I Use My EBT Card for Aldi Delivery?

Aldi now offers grocery delivery in some locations using Instacart. Visit Shop.Aldi.US to start placing your order.

Once you have everything picked out, put in your EBT card information just like you would with a debit or credit card. Keep in mind there might be some extra charges for personal shopping.

From there, a delivery employee will deliver your groceries right to your door.

How Do I Use My EBT Card for Aldi Curbside Pickup?

If delivery isn’t available where you live, you might still be able to use Aldi’s curbside pickup service. Use the same site as Aldi’s delivery website for pickup.

Once you’ve picked out your groceries, pick a pickup location and time. Pay for your groceries the same way you would with a debit or credit card, just with your EBT card instead.

Once you show up for your curbside pickup, an employee will hand you your groceries.

How Does SNAP Work in Florida?

Most of the eligibility requirements for SNAP are the same across the nation, with some variations due to state or county.

Like in most states, you’ll have to fill out an application for food assistance through the Florida Department of Children and Families to see if you’re eligible.

Currently, Florida has a few categories of people who are not eligible for food assistance:

Those convicted of drug trafficking
Those running away from a felony warrant
Those who purposely break food assistance rules
Noncitizens without a qualified status
Students who attend an institution of higher education at least half time, in some circumstances.

If you don’t fall into any of these categories, you are a Florida resident, and your income is less than or equal to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, you may qualify for food assistance in Florida.

Depending on your current circumstances, there may or may not be a work requirement with your food assistance.

If you are an able-bodied adult without dependents and not pregnant, you can fulfill these requirements by working or volunteering at least 80 hours a month, participating 80 hours per month in a Local Workforce Development Board program, or completing a combination of these activities 80 hours or more a month on average.

Exemptions apply to the work requirement, so if you think you might be exempt, contact the Department of Children and Families.

How Does the EBT Card Work in Florida?

Once you’ve applied for SNAP and you’re accepted into the program, you’ll get a reloadable debit card mailed to you.

These cards no longer come with an expiration date, and will only need replacement if they’re lost, stolen, or damaged.

Every month, the card will automatically reload with your available SNAP benefits as long as you’re part of the program.

Once you receive your card, you can use it at any Florida grocery store that accepts EBT, including at Aldi.

Does Florida have a Restaurant Meals Program?

Unfortunately, no, Florida does not currently have a Restaurant Meals Program included in food assistance. Their SNAP benefits also exclude hot foods and foods you’d eat in a grocery store.

A Restaurant Meals Program allows residents of some states and counties to purchase food at select restaurants with their EBT cards.

While it’s not available in Florida, that doesn’t mean it will never be. More states and counties in the US are including RMPs in their SNAP benefits.

Conclusion

Like in the rest of the country, Aldi’s Florida locations do accept EBT and SNAP payments for qualifying groceries at their stores.

They’ll also let you use your EBT cards on pickup and delivery services, though some extra fees may apply.

If you think you might qualify for food assistance in Florida, contact the Department of Children and Family services.

As of right now, Florida does not have a Restaurant Meals Program, but you can still buy everything you need with EBT.

References

https://www.aldi.us/en/about-aldi/snap-ebt-payment/