Does Vons Take EBT Cards Payment 2024 (2024)

Does Vons Take EBT Cards Payment, snap or Food Stamps?– Food insecurity has increased across the globe after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the latest USDA data around forty million Americans are enrolled in food stamps or SNAP initiative. SNAP recipients can purchase healthy food and groceries from more than 240,000 vendors throughout America. One such supermarket chain is Vons that has two locations throughout California and Nevada.

Vons is a popular Albertsons supermarket chain with nearly 183 store locations throughout California and Nevada. A lot of SNAP recipients wonder whether Vons accepts EBT or food stamps as a method of payment. Fortunately, Vons accepts EBT or food stamps in all of its store locations throughout America. This guide will provide an overview of Vons, EBT and other pertaining details.

Key Takeaways

• Vons accepts EBT cards (food stamps) at all locations in California and Nevada.
• You can use EBT for in-store purchases, delivery, and Drive Up and Go pickup.
• Only SNAP-eligible food items can be purchased with EBT.
• Nevada residents cannot buy hot prepared meals with EBT.
• Alternative EBT-friendly stores include Albertsons, Safeway, Walmart, and Amazon.

What Is An EBT And How Does It Work?

The Electronic Benefits Transfer is a system for making payments that enable beneficiaries of food assistance programs like SNAP to pay for their eligible food items and groceries. EBT is a modern way to access federal funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program instead of relying on food stamps or paper coupons.

The EBT benefits come in the form of a card that works similarly to any debit or credit card and gets reloaded with SNAP benefits every month. It is important to note that the EBT card has certain rules and regulations about the type of food that you can purchase with the card. The card holds a specific amount of funds that you receive from the government and can be used at authorized grocery stores, convenience stores, or supermarkets. Vons customers can save their EBT card information to use as a method of payment for in-store purchases or online grocery delivery and pickup.

Do you love to shop at Thrive Market? Take a look at our next guide to know whether Thrive Market accepts EBT payments or not.

What Are Vons?

Vons is a popular supermarket chain owned by Albertson with most of its store locations located in Southern California and Las Vegas Valley. Presently headquartered in Fullerton CA Vons operates its store location under the Vons and Pavilions banners. The Vons and Pavilions banners were owned by Safeway Inc. and headquartered in Arcadia CA before the company was acquired and folded into Albertson along with all subsidiaries including Vons.

Founded by Charles Vons der Ahe in 1906 Vons today is a popular retail and grocery chain that offers bakery, daddy, frozen food, Delhi, meat, pharmacy, seafood, produce, liquor, snacks and floral products. As of 16th April 2024, there are 191 Vons store locations throughout the United States of America. The US state and territory with the most Vons locations in America is California with approximately 183 stores that account for 96% of all Vons stores in America.

The cities with the most stores in America are San Diego, Los Angeles from Las Vegas, Kumar Long Beach, Ventura, Carlsbad, Escondido, Oxnard, Henderson and Redondo Beach.

Do Vons Accept Food Stamps/ EBT?

Yes, Vons accepts food stamps or EBT benefits at all store locations in California and Nevada. You can use your EBT to purchase SNAP-eligible items at all Vons stores and for delivery or DriveUp and Go Pickup orders. Nevada residents however are not eligible to purchase hot ready-to-eat food or restaurant meals to be eaten in-store with an EBT card at any Vons store.

Do you know whether Shell accepts EBT or not? Learn the answer in our next guide.

What Are The Eligible Items That I Can Purchase With My EBT From Vons?

There are a wide variety of food items for shoppers to choose from at Vons throughout the United States of America.

• Fruits and vegetables: All types of fresh, canned or frozen fruits and vegetables are allowed for EBT purchase.
• Bread and cereals: This includes all types of bread, crackers, cereals, pasta, oatmeal and rice.
• Meat, poultry and fish: This comprises all forms of meat such as pork, beef, turkey, chicken, fish and lamb
• Milk and Dairy Products: This includes all types of milk, yogurt, cheese and butter
• Protein powders, shakes and bars: You can purchase meal replacement shakes, protein powders, bars or any other shakes that come with a Nutrition Facts label instead of a Supplements Facts label
• Beverages: You can purchase brew-it-yourself tea and coffee using SNAP Benefits including cold beverages like cold drinks, fountain drinks, smoothies, and iced coffees that are intended for human consumption.
• Plant, seeds and seedlings: You can use your food stamp benefits to pick up plants, seeds or seedlings that can help you produce fruits, vegetables or herbs at your home.
• Live Lobsters and Seafood: You can use your SNAP benefits to purchase live seafood such as lobsters, clams, and shrimp including live fish removed from the water.
• Snack Items: This includes bakery cakes, chips, cheese, crackers, and gift baskets comprising eligible food items.
• Baby Formula: You can use SNAP benefits to purchase infant formula including cereals, baby food and juices to feed your baby.

Do you know whether Grubhub accepts food stamps or not? Read them in our next guide.

What Can’t I Purchase With My EBT At Vons?

There are some restrictions or guidelines placed on the items that you can purchase using your EBT card at Vons stores. Following are the products that are prohibited from purchasing using EBT funds.

• Alcohol and Tobacco: EBT funds cannot be used to buy alcoholic beverages like wine, liquor, beer, cigarettes and any other tobacco products
• Household Supplies: This includes non-food items like paper goods and cleaning products
• Pet Supplies: This includes pet food, bedding and toys
• Health and Beauty: This includes cosmetics, medications, vitamins, hygiene products and supplements
• Hot Prepared Food: This includes food items that are ready for immediate consumption such as hot prepared meals and food from restaurants.
• Live animals (except fish and shellfish).

If your order at Vons includes both approved and non-approved SNAP items then it is advisable to use two different payment sources.

Using EBT/ SNAP For Ineligible Food Items

Individuals who have managed to use their EBT cards for unapproved purchases have to face some consequences. Following are the situations that may happen to you if you violate SNAP guidelines and purchase any unapproved items using SNAP funds:

• A three-month ban for the first unapproved EBT purchase
• A one-year ban for the second SNAP unapproved purchase
• A two-year ban for the third unapproved SNAP purchase.

How To Pay For EBT-Eligible Orders At Vons? A Step-By-Step Guide To Using EBT For In-Store Purchases

SNAP recipients who want to shop at Vons physical store using their EBT card have to follow the below-mentioned steps:

• Whenever you reach an operator register separate your EBT-eligible and non-eligible products while loading the checkout
• Swipe or insert your EBT card at the point of sale and enter your 4-digit PIN
• Inform the cashier at Vons of the particular amount either cash or SNAP from which you want to charge your order.
• Re-enter your 4-digit PIN on the point-of-sale keypad to confirm if the charges you have placed are correct
• In some cases a manager or supervisor will require you to provide photo identification to verify that the EBT you want to pay with is in your name.

The purchase total will be deducted from your cash or SNAP account as per your directions. It is always advisable to keep the receipt during your shopping to prevent missed charges and see the latest EBT account balance.

Before making any eligible purchase at Vons with your SNAP/ EBT card make sure the card comprises adequate funds to complete the transaction. You need to segregate the non-EBT funds from the EBT-eligible food items and use another payment method to cover the product costs that are not covered by EBT.

Do you know whether Grocery Outlet accepts EBT or not? Learn the answer in our next guide.

Can I Use My EBT Card For Online Delivery/ Curbside Pickup At Vons?

Yes, Vons provides the flexibility and convenience to EBT cardholders to get their SNAP order delivered to their doorstep or use the curbside pickup service of Vons called Drive Up and Go. The service provides a straightforward way to shop for groceries and enables people to avoid the hassle of crowds and long lines. To use the service you need to download the app called Drive Up and Go.

Once you have downloaded the app and created an account you can browse the app and select the SNAP-eligible groceries that you want to purchase with your EBT card. Make sure to add your EBT card as the primary source of payment to shop for eligible purchases. A team of professional shoppers will find fresh meat, produce and high-quality products and get them delivered to your doorstep.

Once you have selected the groceries and checked out Vons will bag the groceries and keep them ready for pickup at a designated time slot. When you arrive at the store park in a marked pickup please call your sign-up number to let them know that you are waiting for your order. An employee will bring the bagged groceries out to your vehicle and load them for you.

Can I Purchase Hot Prepared Meals From Vons?

California residents enrolled in the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program can purchase ready-to-eat food or restaurant meals at the Vons deli counter. However, it is important to meet the following eligibility criteria to purchase restaurant meals with an EBT card from Vons.

• Be an elderly (60 years or above)
• Be homeless with no permanent nighttime address
• Be disabled and receive government disability benefits
• Be the spouse of a SNAP recipient eligible for the Restaurant Meals Program.

Nevada residents or recipients of the Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Program cannot use their EBT card at any warns store to purchase ready-to-eat food and restaurant meals in addition to non-edible food, medicines, gas etc. Instead, you can withdraw cash at Quest ATMs that dispense $1, $5.50 or $100 and use it for purchasing items from Vons.

You can also read about whether the popular pharmacy chain Rite Aid accepts EBT or not in our next guide.

What Are The Payment Methods Accepted At Vons?

Vons accepts a variety of payment methods from customers to provide them with flexibility and convenience in choosing a payment method as per their preference.

• Major credit cards like MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover
• Bank issue debit card
• Apple Pay (only for in-store purchases and not for online orders)
• SNAP EBT or EBT cash payment card for in-store purchases and at select locations for online orders scheduled for pickup and delivery

Cash, Vons pay, gift cards, personal checks and charge accounts are not accepted for online orders. It is important to note that customers cannot use Apple Pay to pay for ordered groceries and food when ordering through the Vons app, however, you can use this payment method while shopping at Vons through Instacart.

Instacart employee shoppers to arrange your order and get them delivered to your doorstep. It is also worth noting that Instacart charges more for food items and groceries with a markup of 10% to 15% compared to the regular prices. When using your Apple card you can get 2% cash back on your total billing.

Do you love to shop with Walgreens? Take a look at our next guide to know whether Walgreens accept EBT payments or not.

How To Get Free/ Discounted Delivery On Vons Order?

New customers placing online grocery orders for the first time can get free delivery on their first online Vons order. They simply have to meet the minimum order of $30 and enter the promo code free at checkout. Customers can also qualify for additional free delivery offers from time to time.

Discounted delivery options can apply if you reserve a time during the checkout. If you’re choosing a third-party service provider’s website like Instacart then the charges, fees or discounts applicable to your order will be established by that company.

One more way to save on one deliverable is to sign up for one of their subscription-based FreshPass Program plans. You need to choose a monthly plan of $12.99 or a $99 annual plan including taxes to get unlimited deliveries for one low fee. To know more details you can visit the FreshPass FAQ and Terms and Conditions page on the official Vons website.

Alternate Stores That Accept Stores EBT For Online Grocery Delivery And Pickup

Albertsons

A popular shopping destination for a lot of SNAP recipients is Albertsons since it is one of the biggest Food and Drug retailers in America. Albertsons accepts EBT or food stamps for in-store transactions and online purchases at select locations.

Safeway

Safeway is an American supermarket chain that is operating today as a banner of the Albertsons company and is one of the largest drug and food retailers in the United States of America. Safeway accepts EBT or SNAP benefits as a means of payment from SNAP beneficiaries in all its store locations and online in select locations.

Walmart

Walmart also accepts SNAP or EBT card payments for online grocery delivery and pickup. You need to place an order by visiting the official Walmart website or by downloading the Walmart app and creating an account. You can get free curbside pickup service for orders above $35 or else you have to pay a small pickup fee.

DoorDash

The latest app-based delivery service known as DoorDash accommodates SNAP payments and works similarly to Amazon, Instacart, Walmart and Target. SNAP recipients can use their EBT card online with DoorDash to pay for grocery delivery as well as pick up.

Amazon

Both Amazon.com and Amazon Fresh accept EBT cards from SNAP beneficiaries. If you are looking for grocery delivery companies that accept EBT cards from SNAP beneficiaries as a method of payment, then you can go for Amazon as one of the best alternatives to Walmart.

Instacart

A few participating grocery stores are listed on the Instacart website or app that enable SNAP beneficiaries to pay for their SNAP-eligible food and groceries using their EBT card. However, grocery stores located in Alaska, Montana, and Louisiana are not participating in the EBT program.

Additional Grocery Stores

There are several grocery stores located throughout the country that accept EBT cards as a method of payment for SNAP-eligible groceries and food items like the following:

• Whole Foods
• Jewel-Osco
• King Soopers
• Ralphs
• Kings Food Markets
• Kroger
• HEB
• Schwan’s
• Harris Teeter
• Wegmans
• Weis Markets
• Acme Markets
• AJ’s Fine Foods
• Speedway
• Associated Food Stores
• Bashas
• Love’s
• Big Y Foods
• Foodtown
• Fred Meyer
• Stater Bros
• Fry’s Food Stores
• Giant Eagle
• Giant Food
• Hannaford Supermarkets
• Lowe’s Grocery
• 99 Ranch Market
• BJ’s Wholesale Club
• Bravo Supermarkets
• Brookshire’s
• Smart and Final
• City Market
• Dillons Stores
• Meijer
• Piggly Wiggly
• Pick N Save
• Price Chopper
• Walgreens
• Fareway Meat & Grocery
• Fine Fare Supermarkets
• Food 4 Less
• Food City
• Sprouts
• Food Lion
• Publix
• QFC Supermarkets
• Raley’s
• Shaw’s
• Misfits Market
• ShopRite
• Smith’s Food and Drug
• WinCo
• Ralphs
• Save Mart
• Schnucks Market
• CVS
• Stop & Shop
• Super 1 Foods
• H Mart
• Kroger
• Jubilee Foods
• Superior Grocers
• Tops Markets
• Trader Joe’s
• Vons
• Publix

Read about the comprehensive list of SNAP-eligible goods and grocery stores that accept EBT payments online in our next guide.

Conclusion

Vons and other Albertson-owned stores enable customers to use their EBT card at checkout and for online orders to provide better convenience and flexibility. To pay with a SNAP EBT card recipients need to create an account on their Vons website, fill their cart and choose SNAP as a primary payment method. The store associates help SNAP recipients complete the transaction when they pick up their groceries. Besides Vons and other Albertson own stores, many other grocery retailers are accepting EBT online to provide convenience and flexibility to EBT cardholders particularly those who have limited mobility or face transportation barriers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Can You Contact Vons Customer Support?

To know more details about the EBT acceptance policy you can contact Vons at 877-505-4040 seven days a week from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM Pacific Time. You can get answers to your questions through Von’s virtual assistant on their website or mobile app or fill out an online help request form that will be a convenient option for you.

When Can I Schedule My Groceries For Delivery Or Pick Up With My EBT From Vons?

Vons delivery and pickup services are typically available seven days a week between 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM in most locations. The company provides same-day delivery and pickup on most days updated to location and availability.

What Is Included In Vons FreshPass Apart From Unlimited Delivery?

The subscription-based FreshPass Program from Vons provides unlimited delivery on orders more than $30 along with $5 credit each month, 2X points on exclusive dance, VIP phone service for subscribers, points that do not expire and many more deals.