Thrive Market is an increasingly popular online marketplace for healthy and organic foods. With affordable prices and a vast selection, many shoppers wonder if Thrive Market accepts EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) cards. This allows people to use their government food assistance benefits to purchase groceries online. At this time, Thrive Market does not directly accept EBT cards as a payment method. However, there are some alternative options that may allow EBT recipients to utilize their benefits when shopping with Thrive Market.
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Understanding Thrive Market and EBT
First, let’s look at what both Thrive Market and EBT are:
Thrive Market is an online grocery store offering natural, organic, non-GMO, fair-trade, and sustainably sourced products at wholesale prices. With thousands of items across categories like pantry staples, prepared foods, beauty and home products, Thrive Market aims to make healthy living affordable and accessible.
EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer, which is the system used by state governments to issue food assistance benefits. People who qualify can use their EBT card to purchase eligible food items at participating retailers. The card functions similarly to a debit card and can be used at approved brick-and-mortar stores as well as select online grocers.
Thrive Market and EBT Acceptance
As of now, Thrive Market does not directly accept EBT cards for online orders. This is primarily due to restrictions from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees the EBT program.
The USDA has guidelines allowing online retailers to accept EBT, but only through their Online Purchasing Pilot program. This pilot is still limited to a small number of approved retailers, and Thrive Market is not currently participating.
For a store like Thrive Market to accept EBT directly, they would need to gain USDA approval through the Online Purchasing Pilot program. While not approved yet, it remains a possibility for the future as the pilot continues expanding.
Alternative Payment Options at Thrive Market
While EBT is not accepted, Thrive Market does offer various payment methods:
- Credit and debit cards – Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
- PayPal – Link your PayPal account to pay securely
- Apple Pay and Google Pay – For easy mobile payments
- Thrive Cash – Earn cashback rewards to use on future orders
So even without EBT, there are still options that provide convenience and potential savings when shopping Thrive Market.
USDA Online Purchasing Pilot Program
While not directly through Thrive Market, EBT recipients still have an online grocery option through the USDA’s Online Purchasing Pilot. Here are key details on how it works:
The program allows EBT (SNAP) beneficiaries to use their benefits to buy groceries online from participating retailers. These include major chains like Walmart, Amazon, ShopRite, and more.
To use EBT online, you simply shop online as usual, and at checkout select EBT as the payment. You will be prompted to enter your 16-digit EBT card number. EBT can only be used to buy eligible food items. Delivery fees and other non-food items are not covered.
The pilot is currently active in around 40 states and continues to expand. Check here to see if your state is participating: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/online-purchasing-pilot
Future Possibilities for Thrive Market and EBT
While EBT is not accepted currently, there is potential for that to change in the future:
As the Online Purchasing Pilot expands, the USDA may give more retailers like Thrive Market approval to accept EBT for online orders. While not guaranteed, this could provide an avenue for Thrive Market to integrate EBT acceptance down the road if they choose to participate.
The pilot is still in relatively early stages, so as it grows, more retailers big and small may have the chance to apply. For shoppers hoping to use EBT on Thrive Market someday, the expanding Online Purchasing Pilot provides hope.
Thrive Market, EBT, and Your Shopping Options
In summary:
Thrive Market currently does not directly accept EBT cards as an online payment method. However, there are alternative options like credit cards, PayPal, and more.
EBT recipients can use their benefits to shop online through the USDA’s Online Purchasing Pilot program, which approves select retailers like Walmart and Amazon. While not Thrive Market, it allows for online grocery shopping with EBT.
As the Online Purchasing Pilot continues to grow, there is potential for Thrive Market to eventually gain EBT approval. However, this is not guaranteed and would depend on whether Thrive Market chooses to participate.
So in the future, we may see Thrive Market begin accepting EBT. But for now, EBT shoppers can explore other online options through the USDA pilot and use alternative payment methods to shop Thrive Market. As the program evolves, we’ll see if more specialty online grocers like Thrive Market join.
People Also Ask
Can you use food stamps on Thrive Market?
No, Thrive Market does not currently accept food stamps (SNAP EBT benefits) as a payment method. EBT recipients can shop at online retailers participating in the USDA Online Purchasing Pilot program, but Thrive Market is not part of this program at this time.
Does Thrive Market take WIC?
No, Thrive Market does not accept WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) benefits at this time. Like EBT, they are currently unable to take WIC due to USDA restrictions on online retailers. WIC recipients would need to shop at brick-and-mortar stores that accept WIC benefits in their area.
Can you use Medicaid benefits on Thrive Market?
No, Thrive Market does not accept Medicaid benefits as a form of payment. Medicaid provides healthcare assistance and does not cover food or grocery purchases. Thrive Market accepts major credit/debit cards, PayPal, and other payment methods, but not forms of medical benefits like Medicaid.
Does Thrive Market offer any discounts for low-income customers?
Thrive Market does not currently offer discounts specific to low-income customers. However, their everyday prices for natural and organic products are already discounted up to 50% off traditional retail costs. Memberships are also offered at a reduced rate of $1/month for limited income households.
What are some stores that accept EBT for grocery delivery?
Through the USDA Online Purchasing Pilot, EBT recipients can use benefits to get grocery delivery from major retailers like Walmart, Amazon, Aldi, ShopRite, Safeway, and more. Lists of participating retailers by state are available on the USDA website.
