Can CalFresh EBT cards be linked to Sam's Club membership app?
Hey everyone! I just got a Sam's Club membership as a gift from my sister and I'm trying to figure out if I can add my CalFresh EBT card to their app? I know I can use my EBT card at Sam's Club in person (the cashier has to separate my eligible food items), but it would be so much more convenient if I could just add it to their app like my regular debit card. Has anyone had success doing this? The app keeps asking for a 'credit card number' and my EBT card doesn't seem to work when I try to enter it. Any tips would be super helpful!
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Miguel Castro
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
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Ava Martinez
AuthorUgh that's so frustrating! I was hoping to use the scan & go feature to avoid the long checkout lines. Thanks for letting me know.
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Zainab Abdulrahman
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.
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Ava Martinez
AuthorThanks for the detailed explanation! I'll use the app for planning then. I wish they'd update the system since it seems like most stores are pushing for digital payments these days.
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Connor Byrne
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.
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Yara Elias
This is partially correct, but I should clarify something important. USDA is indeed running a SNAP online purchasing pilot program that now includes California, but this only allows using EBT online during checkout - not storing the card in apps or digital wallets. Currently, major retailers like Walmart, Amazon, and some others participate, but Sam's Club specifically doesn't have full EBT online functionality yet. There's a difference between using EBT for online checkout (which is expanding) versus storing the card in an app (which isn't currently allowed under federal regulations).
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QuantumQuasar
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.
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Keisha Jackson
Same happened to me but at Costco not Sams. I think all those warehouse stores have trouble with ebt sometimes. Now I always go to customer service first and ask if theres a specific cashier who knows how to handle ebt transactions. Saves a lot of trouble
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Paolo Moretti
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.
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Ava Martinez
AuthorThank you! I actually do need to talk to someone about updating my address on my case, so this might be helpful. Will check out the video.
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Yara Elias
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.
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Ava Martinez
AuthorThis is really helpful information. I didn't realize there were so many regulations involved, but it makes sense. I'll stick with the physical card for now. Thanks for explaining!
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QuantumQuasar
The "regulations" are just another way to make EBT users jump through hoops. Regular credit/debit cards worked in apps YEARS ago but somehow EBT is always 10 years behind on technology. It's not about "can't" - it's about "won't" because they don't prioritize making things easier for low-income folks!
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Keisha Jackson
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!
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Ava Martinez
AuthorThat's a great tip, thank you! I'll definitely use the app for the discounts even if I can't add my EBT card to it.
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Miguel Castro
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
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Yara Elias
Good point about Instacart, but there's an important detail to be aware of: while you can use EBT/CalFresh benefits to pay for eligible food items through Instacart, you cannot use your benefits to pay for delivery fees, service charges, or tips. Those must be paid with another payment method. Also, availability varies by location in California, so it's worth checking if your address is eligible first.
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Kingston Bellamy
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!
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