If you have a Pennslyvania ACCESS EBT card and are trying to figure where you can use your card to make purchases, we can help. Your SNAP EBT or Cash Assistance EBT can be used at stores approved to take EBT. In this post, we are going to explain in detail where you can pay with Pennsylvania EBT card. Plus, how to identify stores that take EBT, what foods you can buy, how to use your card to shop, and any fees that you may be charged for using your card.
Where can you pay with Pennsylvania EBT card?
The Quest® Mark and Pennsylvania EBT logo mark you will find on store doors, checkout lanes, and POS machines that tell you that your Pennsylvania EBT card can be used at that store or machine.
There are special pictures on the marks that tell you what benefits you can use.
Look for the Quest® Mark or Pennsylvania EBT logo before you shop.
Remember you cannot get cash or buy non-food items with your SNAP account.
However, you can use your new Pennsylvania EBT Card for your medical benefits if you are receiving Medical Assistance.
The image below explains where you can use your cash assistance benefits and or/SNAP benefits:
Here are the different places you can use your PA EBT Card:
You can use your Pennsylvania EBT Card at:
ATMs
- To access your cash benefits
- To obtain your cash account balance
Point of Sale (POS) Machines (Checking out at a Cashiers)
You can use your SNAP benefits to buy food at authorized retailers.
Also, you can use your cash benefits to buy food
Additionally, you can use your cash benefits to buy non-food items like diapers and clothing.
Furthermore, you can use your cash benefits EBT Card to:
- Pay bills
- Withdraw cash after you buy something (get cashback)
- Withdraw cash from your cash account without buying anything
- Check your EBT card balances
Where to Find ATM and/or POS machines
You may find ATM and/or POS machines at:
- Banks
- Grocery stores
- Convenience stores
- Gas stations
- Department stores
- Utility companies
EBT Card Fees You Should Know About
When you use your Pennslyvania EBT Card, you may be charged a fee depending on which benefits you are using.
Surcharge
A surcharge is a service fee that some stores and banks MAY charge you each time you use an ATM to withdraw cash or check your balance.
Before you use your card, look for a warning telling you about this fee on the ATM screen.
If the particular ATM charges a fee, you do not have proceed with the transaction.
You can cancel the transaction and go to another location to withdraw your cash at an ATM that does not charge a fee.
Transaction
When using your Pennslyvania EBT Card a transaction is:
- Getting cash at an ATM
- Getting cash at a POS machine
- Buying food with SNAP benefits
- Buying anything with cash benefits
- Checking your balance
Transaction Fee
A transaction fee is money you will be charged after the fourth time you withdraw cash or check your balance at an ATM in any one month.
This fee is not charged at POS machines.
POS Machine (Point of Sale Machine)
A POS machine is a machine that reads your EBT card so you can buy food with your SNAP benefits and other items with your cash benefits.
What Food Can I Buy with Pennslyvania EBT Card?
Your Pennsylvania ACCESS EBT card works like a debit card. You can use this card to buy food at most grocery stores.
At the checkout counter, swipe the card and enter a 4-digit PIN number to use your SNAP/food stamps to buy food.
You can buy any food product available at participating grocery stores (with the exception of prepared foods).
You can locate stores that accept Pennsylvania SNAP benefits online at Snap Retailer Locator.
Additionally, you can use your SNAP benefits at participating PA farmers’ markets and healthy corner stores.
Some farmers’ markets accept Food Bucks coupons – which doubles your SNAP dollars and enables you to buy nutritious fresh food through the Fresh Access and Fresh Corners programs.
Here’s what you can buy with Pennsylvania SNAP EBT:
- Fruits and vegetables;
- Meat, poultry, and fish;
- Dairy products;
- Breads and cereals;
- Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and
- Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat.
You CANNOT use Pennsylvania SNAP EBT benefits to buy:
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
- Vitamins, medicines, and supplements. If an item has a Supplement Facts label, it is considered a supplement and is not eligible for SNAP purchase.
- Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered prior to pick-up from the store).
- Prepared Foods fit for immediate consumption
- Hot foods
- Any nonfood items such as:
– Pet foods
– Cleaning supplies, paper products, and other household supplies.
– Hygiene items, cosmetics
Where you can pay with Pennsylvania EBT card Summary
We hope this post on Where you can pay with Pennsylvania EBT card was helpful.
If you need additional help regarding Pennsylvania SNAP or EBT, please let us know in the comments section below.
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In the meantime, be sure to check out our other articles on Pennsylvania SNAP and EBT:
Pennsylvania SNAP Benefits FAQs
How to Create COMPASS Online Account
My COMPASS Account Login
How to get a Pennsylvania EBT Card Replacement
PA SNAP Office Locations
Pennsylvania SNAP EBT Schedule for April