Does Starbucks Accept EBT in Georgia? (Food Stamps + More)

Need a pick-me-up will running errands in Georgia? You could stop at your local Starbucks, but will they accept your EBT card as payment?

Currently, corporate Starbucks locations will not accept EBT payments either in Georgia or in any other state. There are some licensed store locations that will accept EBT payments.

In this article, you will learn what Starbucks products can be purchased with EBT funds and what food retailers in Georgia accept EBT.

Additionally, we will cover why corporate Starbucks won’t accept EBT and how to use your EBT card to pay for qualifying Starbucks products.

Table of Contents

Is There Any Way to Purchase Starbucks Products with EBT?

While corporate locations won’t let you pay with your EBT card, there are still options to buy Starbucks products with your digital food stamps.

Some licensed store locations, such as those that are located in hotels or Targets, will allow you to pay with your EBT card. Since these stores follow different rules than corporate locations, they obey rules that are closer to grocery stores.

Not all licensed store locations will accept EBT, so it is best to check with the store manager before planning to make your purchase.

It is up to the individual location to decide whether or not they will accept EBT, but they are set up to accept whereas the corporate locations are not.

Additionally, if you are shopping at a food retailer that sells Starbucks brand products on their shelves which fall under the qualifying categories for food stamps such as nonalcoholic drinks, then you can use your EBT card to make your purchase.

What Places in Georgia Accept EBT?

There are many food retailers that accept EBT in the state of Georgia including grocery stores, big box superstores, pharmacies, general stores, gas station convenience stores, and wholesale club stores.

Among the list of retailers included are Target, Walmart, Aldi, Dollar General, Food City, and more.

Some of the retailers included in the long list of those that accept EBT in Georgia do sell Starbucks products from their refrigerated drinks section or other food aisles.

As long as the food product falls under an EBT appropriate category and is sold by a participating vendor in Georgia, you can use your EBT to pay for it.

While you may be out of luck purchasing a hot and ready caramel macchiato, a Frappuccino is not out of the question.

Always check with the cashier or store manager before making your purchase to see if they will accept your EBT card as payment.

Why Won’t Some Starbucks Locations Accept EBT?

Corporate Starbucks stores will not accept EBT payments. Not only do the bylaws of their company prohibit it, but also their systems are not set up to accept EBT payments. The main reason why Starbucks doesn’t qualify for SNAP benefits is that the products they sell are not viewed as essentials.

Instead, their delectable coffee concoctions and delicious sugary confections are considered luxuries that are not covered by SNAP assistance.

The purpose of the Food Stamp and EBT program is to provide people with little to no means the ability to purchase the food they need for themselves and their families.

While bread, milk, and eggs are essentials, an iced white chocolate mocha is not. Corporate Starbucks also discourages the licensed store locations from accepting EBT but cannot control what the individual stores choose to do.

So, as of now, you may get lucky shopping at a Target Starbucks, but you definitely won’t at the standalone drive through down the street.

How Do I Use My EBT Card to Pay for Qualifying Starbucks Products?

If you are able to pay for your Starbucks purchase with your EBT card or are in the checkout line of a grocery store with Starbucks items, using your EBT card to pay for your purchase is simple.

The cashier will ring up all of your merchandise and let you know the total cost of your purchase.

Using the card reader, you will insert your EBT card just like any other debit or credit card. Unlike these, however, you are required to entire your given PIN number.

If you do not remember it or enter the wrong one, you will not be able to use your EBT card to pay for your purchases.

Once you have successfully entered your PIN number, the transaction should be accepted, and the cashier will give you a receipt.

Always make sure you have enough funds in your account and the store that you are at accepts EBT payments and you should be good to go!

If you are at a grocery store, make sure that the items you purchase fall under an appropriate food category.

Conclusion

Corporate Starbucks locations in Georgia or any other state do not accept EBT payments, but some licensed store locations such as those found in hotels or Target might.

Although they are discouraged from doing so, licensed store locations are set up to accept EBT payments while corporate stores are not.

The reason why most Starbucks will not accept EBT is that their products are considered to be luxury items.

The SNAP program is designed to provide financial assistance to those who need it to buy essential food items. The next time you go to Starbucks, think twice about trying to use your EBT card to pay!

References

https://lowincomerelief.com/does-starbucks-take-ebt/

https://igeorgiafoodstamps.com/places-accept-ebt-georgia/