When you rely on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to make ends meet, it can be frustrating to figure out which stores will accept your benefits as payment. To make things more confusing, stores will often change their EBT policy with no prior warning. If you’re a budget-conscious shopper who also likes to stock up at Dollar Tree, you may be wondering, “does Dollar Tree take EBT as payment?” The short answer? They do!
Here’s everything you need to know about how to use EBT at Dollar Tree.
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Does Dollar Tree take EBT if I try to use it?
Fortunately, Dollar Tree takes both types of benefits used with an EBT card: SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits and cash benefits.
SNAP benefits only let you buy food and produce, so you can load up on canned, frozen, and shelf-stable food at Dollar Tree.
Cash benefits are associated with certain federal and state programs, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). You can use your cash benefits card to withdraw cash or buy items at Dollar Tree that don’t qualify for SNAP. You can also use cash benefits to buy SNAP-eligible items at Dollar Tree if you’ve run out of your regular SNAP benefits.
Many people use their cash benefits card to buy hygienic items like shampoo and body wash, household cleaning products, shoes, and clothes — some of which are sold at Dollar Tree. Families can also use cash benefits to buy diapers and baby wipes — two items that don’t qualify for SNAP.
Related: We did a deep dive into how to use your SNAP benefits online.
How to use your EBT card at Dollar Tree:
If you’re shopping in person, you’ll use the EBT card at checkout just as you would with a credit or debit card. When you swipe the EBT card, you’ll choose to use your cash benefits or SNAP benefits. Choose carefully. Once the sale goes through, you can’t change your decision.
You can combine other savings and discounts with your EBT card, including store and manufacturer coupons and sales.
While you can use your EBT card for in-person transactions at Dollar Tree, you can’t use your EBT card to shop at DollarTree.com. If you have cash benefits, you can get around this by withdrawing cash to buy a Dollar Tree gift card at the store. Then use the Dollar Tree gift card to make your online purchase.
If you don’t have cash benefits, you won’t be able to use your EBT SNAP benefits to buy a gift card.
Related: Use these 16 tips to save even more when shopping at Dollar Tree.
Why is it helpful for Dollar Tree to take EBT?
When stores like Dollar Tree take EBT cards, it makes it easier for families to buy food without having to travel long distances. You can go here to find an EBT retailer near you.
In the U.S., about 23.5 million people live in food deserts. This means they don’t have access to a supermarket within one mile in an urban area or within 10 miles in a rural area. If you have a Dollar Tree nearby, you may rely on it for all your grocery shopping. This can partially relieve the stress of living in a food desert, especially if you rely on your EBT card to buy groceries and want to save money as food prices rise.
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