Can you use CalFresh EBT with Instacart for delivery without a car?

Yes, you can definitely use CalFresh EBT with Instacart! I've been using it since my disability made shopping difficult. Here's how it works: 1. You can pay for eligible food items with your EBT card 2. Delivery fees, service fees, tips, and non-eligible items must be paid with a regular credit/debit card 3. Not all stores accept EBT on Instacart - look for the "EBT SNAP" label on the store in the app In my area, Walmart, ALDI, Food 4 Less, and Grocery Outlet all accept EBT through Instacart. The delivery fees range from $3.99-$9.99 depending on how fast you want delivery and how busy they are. One tip: Instacart+ membership ($99/year or $9.99/month) waives delivery fees on orders over $35, which might be worth it if you'll use it regularly. Still have to pay service fee though.

i tried it once last yr but the fees r ridiculous imo. they charge extra for the groceries + delivery fee + service fee + tip. ended up being like $25 more expensive than just going to the store. if u can take the bus might be better

I use it all the time! Check if your county has a CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program too - some counties let you use EBT at certain restaurants if you're disabled, elderly, or homeless. My mom qualifies and uses DoorDash with her EBT sometimes.

Another option is to see if any local grocery stores offer their own delivery service. Some smaller chains have started this since COVID and sometimes their fees are lower than Instacart. Also, check if Amazon Fresh is available in your area - they accept EBT and if you get SNAP benefits, they offer discounted Prime membership which includes free Amazon Fresh delivery over $35.

Have you tried calling your county CalFresh office to ask about transportation assistance? Some counties offer programs to help with transportation to grocery stores or food banks for CalFresh recipients. When I was struggling to get to the store after my surgery, my county worker told me about a volunteer driver program. I know getting through to the county office is a nightmare though - I had to call like 12 times before I got a real person. If you're struggling to reach someone, I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a live person at my county office in about 10 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 Might be worth asking if there are any transportation resources available for your situation.

INSTACART IS A SCAM!!! They mark up ALL the prices by 15-20% then charge u fees ON TOP of that! ur CalFresh benefits will get eaten up way faster. the whole system is designed to take advantage of poor people who don't have options!!!!!

I've been using my CalFresh benefits with Instacart for about 8 months now. It's been a lifesaver since I don't have reliable transportation. A few things to keep in mind: 1. You'll need a separate payment method for the non-food items, delivery fees, service charges, and tips 2. Some stores have higher markups than others (Safeway is terrible, Walmart is better) 3. Make sure to check if items are EBT-eligible in the app (sometimes it's not clear) One strategy I use is to place larger orders less frequently to minimize the impact of the delivery fees. I typically order about $200 worth of shelf-stable and frozen items every 2-3 weeks instead of smaller weekly orders. Also, if you're having transportation issues, check with your local food bank. Many now offer delivery options for people with mobility challenges or transportation barriers.

just get ur neighbor a gift card or somthing as thanks might be cheaper than instacart lol

Have you looked into Walmart+ as an alternative? They accept EBT for grocery pickup and delivery, and their delivery fees are usually lower than Instacart. With Walmart+, you get free delivery on orders over $35, and they don't mark up prices as much as other services. Also, some areas have local mutual aid groups or community organizations that help with grocery shopping for people facing transportation barriers. You might try searching Facebook for "[your town/county] mutual aid" or "community support" groups. Sometimes neighbors are willing to help coordinate regular grocery runs for multiple people in similar situations, which could work better than relying on one person. If you do end up using Instacart, definitely go with Walmart or ALDI as your store choice - they tend to have the smallest markups and accept EBT. And like others mentioned, bigger orders less frequently will help minimize the fee impact on your budget.

I've been in a similar situation and wanted to share what worked for me. Besides the delivery services others mentioned, check if your area has any senior/disability transportation services that might help with grocery runs - sometimes they're available to CalFresh recipients facing transportation barriers even if you don't meet age/disability requirements. Also, if you have a smartphone, download the Flashfood app. It's not delivery, but many grocery stores use it to sell discounted items that are close to expiration. If you can occasionally catch a ride or use rideshare for a quick pickup, you can stretch your CalFresh benefits much further. I've gotten $50+ worth of groceries for $15-20 through Flashfood. One more tip: some churches and community centers organize monthly grocery shopping trips for people without transportation. It might be worth calling around to see if anything like that exists near you. Even if it's just once a month, it could help supplement the delivery services.