How to use EBT benefits on Instacart to pay for groceries — and get free delivery on your first three orders

It's easy to add an EBT card to your Instacart account and get groceries delivered from participating Aldi stores. d3sign/Getty Images

• Instacart takes EBT cards from shoppers who are on SNAP at eligible grocery stores. 
• While previously available at Aldi, Instacart has expanded EBT to Safeway, Albertsons, and more. 
• EBT can be used to pay for most of your Instacart orders, except service fees and tips. 

If you're getting federal food assistance benefits as part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), you probably already know that ordering groceries online is a challenge.

Most grocery stores in the United States will take EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards in person. Still, ordering and buying via an app is newer territory. While Instacart used to only offer EBT through Aldi stores, it's now available widely at markets like Safeway, Vons, Albertsons, and more. 

Quick tip: Instacart is offering free delivery for your first three orders over $35 paid with EBT, valid through 12/31/22. 

To pay for your groceries using your benefits, you'll have to add your EBT card to your Instacart account. While benefits will pay for most groceries, additional costs such as delivery, service fees, tips, and SNAP-ineligible items may not be covered. 

Here's everything you need to know to pay with EBT on Instacart: 

How to add an EBT card to your Instacart account

1. Open your Instacart app or visit the Instacart website.

2. On the app, tap the three lines in the upper left corner. On the website, click the downward-facing arrow beside "Hi, [your name]" and click "Your Account" in the dropdown.

3. On the app, tap "Your account settings." 

On the app, go to "Your account settings." Vivian McCall/Insider

4. On the website, once you're on your account page, scroll down and click "Payment methods." On the app, tap "Payment methods" after you've selected "Your account settings."

5. Tap or click "Add" next to "EBT SNAP card."

Whether you're on the website or the app, select "Add" beside "EBT SNAP card." Vivian McCall/Insider

6. Enter your name and EBT card number.

Type your name and card number. Vivian McCall/Insider

7. Tap or click "Save."

Quick tip: If you don't see an option to pay with EBT, make sure you update to the latest version of the Instacart app. 

How to remove an EBT card from your Instacart account

You can only have one EBT card connected to your account at a time, so you'll have to delete one card to add another.

1. Tap or click "Account."

2. Tap or click "Your account settings."

3. Tap or click "Payment methods."

4. Tap or click "Edit."

5. Select the EBT card you want to delete.

6. If on your browser, click the three dots and then "Delete." App users, tap the pencil icon. Tap "Delete" and then "Save."