CalFresh EBT not working to order groceries online through Walmart - anyone else?

ya walmart still takes ebt online i just used mine yesterday but u gotta pay the delivery fee separate with a credit card they dont let u use ebt for that part

There's a specific way you need to add your EBT card on Walmart's site. First, make sure you're using the correct website - some people accidentally use Walmart+ which processes differently. Go to regular Walmart.com, then look for 'Payment Methods' in your account settings. Add your EBT card there BEFORE starting your order. When you checkout, you'll need to select which items are EBT-eligible (most food items are) and which aren't. Then you'll need a separate payment method for the delivery fee and any non-eligible items. If that doesn't work, try removing your card completely and adding it again - sometimes their system glitches with EBT cards.

Check if your address is actually in Walmart's EBT delivery zone. They expanded a lot in 2024, but not all areas are covered. Also, make sure you're not trying to use EBT cash (if you have CalWorks too) - only regular CalFresh benefits work for online orders. The system should show you which items are EBT eligible with a little "EBT" tag next to them. Another thing: your total order needs to be at least $35 for delivery with EBT.

I HATE the Walmart online system with EBT!!! Been using it for months and randomly stops working ALL THE TIME! Their customer service is USELESS with EBT issues. Last time I called they kept transferring me between departments for 45 MINUTES and nobody could help. Then suddenly it started working again two days later with NO explanation!!! The system is broken and nobody fixes it because poor people using benefits don't matter to these companies!!!

I went through this exact same problem last month. The issue wasn't actually with Walmart but with my EBT card needing to be registered for online purchases at the county level. Apparently, they implemented some new security protocols in 2025 where your EBT card needs to be specifically approved for online transactions. I spent DAYS trying to reach someone at the county office with no luck - constant busy signals and disconnections. Finally, I discovered a service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual CalFresh worker in under 30 minutes. They basically hold your place in the phone queue and call you when a real person picks up. The worker was able to update my EBT card settings right away, and Walmart started working immediately after. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 showing how it works. Totally saved me from having to take time off work to physically go to the office.

try instacart they take ebt now too but make sure u check which stores on there take it not all of them do and the app is way easier than walmart

One more thing to check - if you've been receiving CalFresh for a while but this is your first time using it online, your county might have your card flagged for in-store use only. This is a security feature they started implementing in some counties. If the troubleshooting with Walmart doesn't work, this could be the issue. You might need to contact your county worker to specifically enable online purchases for your EBT card.

So glad you got it working! This thread is going to be super helpful for other people dealing with the same issue. I've bookmarked it because I know I'll probably run into this problem eventually too. The step-by-step troubleshooting here is way better than anything I could find on Walmart's help pages.

This is such a comprehensive troubleshooting guide! I'm dealing with a similar issue but with Amazon Fresh - my EBT card keeps getting declined even though I have benefits available. Based on what everyone shared here, I'm going to try removing and re-adding my card in my account settings first, then make sure my order is over the minimum threshold. It's so frustrating when these systems glitch, especially when you're depending on them for groceries. Thanks for documenting all the solutions that actually worked!

Just wanted to add another alternative that's worked well for me - Target's same-day delivery through Shipt also accepts EBT now. I've found their system to be more reliable than Walmart's, and they don't have as many random glitches. The interface is pretty straightforward - you just select EBT as your payment method at checkout and it automatically filters to show only eligible items. They also have a lower minimum order requirement ($35 vs Walmart's $35, but sometimes Target runs promotions with no minimum). Plus their customer service actually knows how to help with EBT issues, unlike some other places. Worth checking if Target delivers in your area as a backup option!

This whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm new to the community and to using EBT for online grocery orders. I've been putting off trying online delivery because I was worried about running into exactly these kinds of technical issues, but seeing all the detailed troubleshooting steps and alternative options you all shared gives me confidence to actually try it. It's really reassuring to know there are multiple services (Walmart, Amazon Fresh, Instacart, Target/Shipt) and that there are workarounds when things don't work right away. The step about adding your EBT card to account settings BEFORE starting your order seems like such a simple but crucial detail that I never would have figured out on my own. Thanks to everyone for sharing their real experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical advice that actually helps!

Just want to echo what everyone else said - this thread is pure gold! I've been struggling with EBT online orders for weeks and couldn't find clear answers anywhere. The fact that you need to add your card to account settings FIRST is such a game-changer. I also had no idea about the $35 minimum or that some counties require special authorization for online purchases. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to share what actually worked instead of just saying "call customer service." Going to try these steps this weekend and finally get groceries delivered. This community is awesome!

This thread should honestly be pinned or turned into a guide! As someone who works part-time at a grocery store and sees customers struggle with EBT issues daily, I can confirm that most of the problems people face are exactly what's been covered here. The account setup issue is HUGE - so many people try to just enter their card at checkout without adding it to their profile first, and then get frustrated when it doesn't work. Also want to add that if you're having issues with any of these services, try placing your order during off-peak hours (like mid-morning on weekdays) instead of evenings or weekends. The payment processing systems seem to get overloaded during busy times and EBT transactions are often the first to get glitchy. I've noticed way fewer payment errors when people shop during slower periods.

This has been such an incredibly useful thread! I'm a single mom who just started receiving CalFresh benefits and was really intimidated by the idea of using EBT online. Reading through everyone's experiences and solutions has given me the confidence to actually try it. The detailed troubleshooting steps - especially about adding your card to account settings first and checking minimum order amounts - are exactly what I needed. It's so refreshing to find a community where people share real, practical advice instead of just telling you to "contact support." I'm planning to start with a small test order this week using the steps outlined here. Having multiple backup options (Walmart, Amazon Fresh, Target/Shipt, Instacart) is really reassuring too since I can't always get to the store in person. Thank you all for creating such a comprehensive resource - this should definitely be saved as a reference guide for anyone dealing with EBT online ordering issues!

This thread is amazing! I've been having the exact same issue with my EBT card not working on Walmart's website for the past week. I tried everything I could think of but never thought about the account settings step. Just followed the advice here about removing and re-adding my card to my Walmart account BEFORE starting my order, and it worked perfectly! My groceries are being delivered tomorrow morning. The $35 minimum tip was clutch too - my cart was only $28 and I was wondering why it kept failing at checkout. Added some basics to get over the threshold and everything went through smoothly. You all just saved me from another week of trying to figure out bus routes to get to the store with my toddler. Seriously can't thank this community enough!

This thread is incredible - definitely saving it as my go-to reference for EBT online ordering! I've been hesitant to try online grocery delivery because I was worried about running into payment issues, but seeing all these detailed solutions gives me confidence to finally give it a shot. The step about adding your EBT card to account settings BEFORE placing an order seems so obvious now but I never would have thought of that. Also really appreciate everyone mentioning the alternative services beyond just Walmart - having backup options like Amazon Fresh, Target/Shipt, and Instacart makes me feel way more secure about relying on delivery when I can't get to the store. The tip about timing orders during off-peak hours is brilliant too. This is exactly the kind of practical, real-world advice you can't find anywhere else. Thanks to everyone for sharing what actually works!

This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm a college student who just qualified for CalFresh and was completely overwhelmed trying to figure out online grocery ordering. The step-by-step troubleshooting here is better than any official help documentation I've found. I had no idea about the account settings requirement or the minimum order thresholds - those details make all the difference. What really stands out to me is how everyone shared multiple backup options instead of just focusing on one service. As someone new to all this, having Walmart, Amazon Fresh, Target/Shipt, and Instacart as alternatives gives me so much peace of mind. I'm definitely starting with a small test order this weekend using these tips. The timing advice about ordering during off-peak hours is something I never would have considered either. Thank you all for creating such a comprehensive guide - this community is amazing for actually helping people solve real problems!

This thread is absolutely incredible - I wish I had found this community sooner! I've been struggling with EBT online orders for months and getting nowhere with customer service. The detailed troubleshooting steps everyone shared here are pure gold, especially the account settings tip that seems to solve most issues. What really impresses me is how supportive everyone is and how you all took the time to share what actually worked from real experience, not just copy-paste help desk responses. I'm bookmarking this thread and definitely recommending this community to other people I know who are dealing with similar EBT online ordering frustrations. Having multiple service options (Walmart, Amazon Fresh, Target/Shipt, Instacart) and backup strategies makes such a difference. This is exactly the kind of practical help that people actually need - thank you all for creating such an amazing resource!