Does Costco accept P-EBT cards in 2025? Getting mixed answers at different locations

costco DOES accept p-ebt!! used mine yesterday at the richmond location. cashier didnt even blink when i handed it over. maybe the oakland employee was new?

All Costco warehouse locations in California should accept P-EBT cards as they operate the same as regular EBT cards at qualifying retailers. P-EBT benefits follow the same purchasing rules as CalFresh - you can buy food items but not prepared hot foods, alcohol, or non-food items. The most likely explanation is that the cashier in Oakland was either new or confused about the difference between regular EBT and P-EBT cards. I recommend asking to speak with a supervisor if you encounter this issue again. You can also check the BenefitsCal website or call the number on the back of your P-EBT card to verify eligible retailers.

I think it depends on who's working that day tbh. My P-EBT worked fine at Costco back in January but when I went again in March they said no. Then I went AGAIN last week and it was fine??? Makes no sense

There seems to be a lot of confusion around this topic, so let me clarify: Costco DOES officially accept P-EBT cards in California. This is federally mandated for all SNAP-authorized retailers, which Costco is. However, there are two common issues people encounter: 1. Cashier confusion: Some cashiers don't recognize P-EBT cards or don't know they should be processed exactly like regular EBT cards. 2. Card issues: Sometimes the magnetic strip on P-EBT cards wears out faster than regular EBT cards, causing transaction failures that cashiers misinterpret as 'we don't accept these.' If you're having trouble reaching someone at the P-EBT helpline to resolve issues, I'd recommend trying Claimyr (claimyr.com). They can help you reach a live representative much faster instead of waiting on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. I used them when I had an issue with my daughter's P-EBT card and got through to a person in minutes instead of waiting all day.

my sister works at costco in antioch and she says they definitely take p-ebt BUT you have to tell them its p-ebt not just hand them the card. a lot of cashiers dont know what to look for otherwise and just see its different from regular ebt cards they're used to. try saying specifically "this is a p-ebt card" when you hand it over

Just as a follow-up for everyone: I called the California P-EBT customer service line (833-456-7373) to get official clarification. They confirmed that P-EBT cards should be accepted anywhere regular EBT cards are accepted, including all Costco locations. If you're denied, ask to speak with a manager and explain that P-EBT is part of the SNAP program and should be processed the same as regular EBT. If you continue having issues, you can report the store by calling the number on the back of your card. Also, remember that P-EBT benefits from the 2024-2025 school year will expire 12 months after issuance, so make sure to use them before they disappear!

I had the same issue at the Costco in Fresno last month! The cashier initially said they don't take P-EBT, but when I asked for a manager and explained that it's part of the SNAP program, they processed it without any problems. I think the key is being polite but firm about it being federally mandated. One tip that helped me: I printed out the page from the USDA website that lists P-EBT as eligible for use at SNAP retailers and showed it to them on my phone. Sometimes having official documentation makes all the difference when dealing with confused staff. Also, if you're planning to shop at Costco regularly with P-EBT, consider getting a Costco membership - the bulk sizes are perfect for families and the savings on groceries can really stretch those benefits further!

This whole thread is so helpful! I've been dealing with the same P-EBT confusion at stores. One thing I learned from my caseworker is that you can also show them the back of your P-EBT card - it has the same "Quest" logo and processing info as regular EBT cards, which helps prove they're processed the exact same way. I've had success at the Costco in Modesto by going to customer service first before shopping and asking them to make a note that I'll be using P-EBT at checkout. That way the cashier is already prepared and there's no confusion or delays. Might be worth trying if you want to avoid any awkward moments with a full cart! The $1,800 you mentioned is definitely worth fighting for - that could feed your family for months if you shop smart at Costco. Don't let uninformed employees keep you from using benefits you're entitled to!

I work part-time at a grocery store and deal with EBT transactions daily, so I can shed some light on this from the employee perspective. The main issue is that many cashiers (especially newer ones) aren't properly trained on P-EBT cards since they look slightly different from regular EBT cards and have different expiration dates. From a technical standpoint, P-EBT cards run through the exact same payment processing system as regular EBT - there's literally no difference in how the register handles them. The confusion usually happens because some employees think P-EBT is a "special" or "limited" program and don't realize it's just a different way of distributing SNAP benefits. My advice: if you get pushback, ask them to try running it as EBT first. If that doesn't work, then ask for a supervisor. Most of the time the card will process just fine once they actually attempt the transaction instead of refusing upfront. And definitely mention that it's federally mandated - that usually gets managers to take it seriously. Hope this helps from the "other side of the counter" perspective!