Can CalFresh EBT cards be linked to Sam's Club membership app?

i tried to do this last month, it wont let u add ebt to the sams app. u can still use ur card in the store but u cant order online with ebt or add it to the app for the scan & go thing

No, unfortunately you can't add your EBT card to the Sam's Club app. Federal regulations for SNAP (which funds CalFresh) don't allow EBT cards to be stored in digital wallets or retail apps. This is part of the security measures to prevent fraud and unauthorized use of benefits. You'll need to continue using your physical EBT card at checkout, and as you mentioned, the cashier will need to separate eligible food items from non-eligible items. However, what you CAN do is use the Sam's Club app to plan your shopping - make lists of EBT-eligible items and track your approximate spending before checkout.

My sister works at Walmart (same company as Sam's) and she said theres some pilot program in other states where they might start allowing EBT in apps but California isn't part of it yet. Something about digital wallet integration being tested but tons of regulations to work through first.

Sam's Club is THE WORST with EBT!!!! I've had so many problems there. One time the cashier didn't know how to split the payment and I had to wait 20 mins while they called a manager. Another time they told me my card was declined even though I checked my balance right before shopping and had plenty of benefits!! The whole system is designed to make us feel embarrassed for using benefits we QUALIFY FOR!! 😡😡 And no, you definitely can't add it to the app, which is just another way they make it harder for low-income shoppers.

If you're having trouble reaching your CalFresh caseworker about any EBT card issues, I've had good luck using Claimyr. They can help you skip the long phone waits when you need to talk to someone at the county office about your benefits or if your card isn't working properly. I found them after waiting on hold for 3 hours trying to resolve an issue with my EBT card not working at several stores. They have a video that explains how it works at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 and their website is claimyr.com. Regarding your original question though - no, Sam's Club doesn't allow EBT in their app currently.

To give you some additional context about why this limitation exists: SNAP regulations (which govern CalFresh) require that benefits can only be used for eligible food items at the point of sale with verification. The current technology in most apps doesn't allow for that level of verification and item-by-item eligibility checking that happens when you use your physical card. Here's what IS currently possible with EBT in California: 1. You can use EBT online at approved retailers (Walmart, Amazon, Albertsons, Safeway, etc.) but you'll need to enter the card details each time 2. You can use the physical card at Sam's Club for eligible items 3. You can check your EBT balance through the official BenefitsCal app or by calling the number on the back of your card As technology and regulations evolve, we may see more integration in the future, but for now, digital wallet storage of EBT cards isn't permitted.

Kinda off topic but make sure u download the sams club app anyway even if u cant add ur ebt! They have extra discounts in there sometimes that u can only get with the app. I saved like $15 last month on stuff that was ebt eligible!

wait i just remembered something!!! if ur buying groceries online try instacart they just started accepting ebt for sams club delivery in some areas. u still cant use the sams app but the instacart app might work if ur trying to get stuff delivered. i havent tried it myself yet tho

Just wanted to add that if you're shopping at Sam's Club regularly with EBT, I'd recommend calling ahead to make sure they have cashiers available who are familiar with EBT transactions. I've found that going during less busy times (like weekday mornings) helps avoid the frustration of long waits while they figure out how to process the payment split. Also, it helps to organize your cart beforehand - put all your EBT-eligible items together so it's easier for the cashier to separate them. The bulk buying at Sam's can really stretch your CalFresh benefits if you plan it right!

I work at a Sam's Club in Sacramento and can confirm what others have said - we definitely cannot add EBT cards to the app or use them for online orders. The system just isn't set up for it due to federal regulations. However, I wanted to share a few tips that might help make your in-store experience smoother: 1) Our customer service desk can pre-approve your EBT card before you shop, which sometimes helps avoid issues at checkout, 2) If you're buying in bulk, consider splitting large quantities between EBT-eligible and non-eligible items BEFORE you get to checkout (like if you're buying 24 bottles of water, make sure they're not mixed with non-food items), and 3) We typically have at least one cashier per shift who's well-trained on EBT transactions - don't hesitate to ask for them specifically if the first cashier seems unsure. Hope this helps make your Sam's Club trips easier!

Just to add another perspective - I've been using EBT at Sam's Club for about 2 years now and while you definitely can't add it to the app, I've found a workaround that helps with planning. I use the Sam's Club app to browse and add items to my "favorites" list, then I screenshot the list and use a notes app to mark which items are EBT-eligible before I go shopping. This way I can still take advantage of the app's features like seeing current prices and special offers, but I'm prepared for checkout with my physical card. It's not as convenient as having everything integrated, but it's better than going in blind! Also, pro tip: the Sam's Club website has a search filter for "SNAP eligible" items which can help with meal planning even though you can't actually order online with EBT.