Using EBT on DoorDash - what can I actually buy with CalFresh benefits vs. cash?

ya I did it last week. u can only use ebt for the actual food items (the eligible ones). u gotta pay for delivery fee, service fee, and tip with a regular credit/debit card. they split it pretty easy at checkout.

I've used it several times now. Here's how it works: 1. You can ONLY use EBT for SNAP-eligible food items (no hot prepared foods, alcohol, etc) 2. DoorDash requires a second payment method for: - Delivery fees (usually $3.99-9.99 depending on distance) - Service fees (% of your order) - Tips (recommended 15-20%) - Any non-SNAP eligible items The app automatically separates eligible from non-eligible items at checkout. You'll see exactly how much comes from EBT and how much from your other payment method before confirming. One thing to watch for: sometimes the prices in the app are higher than in-store prices, so your benefits don't stretch as far.

Do not use DoorDash with EBT!!! Total ripoff!! I tried it and they charged me $14 in fees for a $65 grocery order!!! That's like 20% extra just to get groceries delivered. Plus the prices are higher than in the actual store. Just get a friend to drive you, way cheaper.

I've been using my CalFresh benefits on DoorDash for about 3 months now. It's really helpful when I can't get to the store, but there are definitely things to know. First, only certain stores on DoorDash accept EBT - mainly places like Walmart, Safeway, Albertsons, and some others. Restaurant delivery is NOT eligible at all with EBT. When you checkout, you'll need to add your EBT card AND a backup payment method. The system automatically separates what can be paid with EBT and what can't. You can actually see this breakdown before you complete your purchase. All the delivery fees, service charges, and tips will go to your backup payment method. One tip: watch for promotional codes for free or reduced delivery. I've gotten several "free delivery" offers that make it much more affordable when I really need it.

Something important to note that others haven't mentioned: unlike regular grocery shopping where you can swipe your EBT card at checkout, with DoorDash you'll need to enter your EBT card information in the app first. You'll need your 16-digit EBT card number and PIN to set it up. Just make sure you're on the legitimate DoorDash app for security reasons. Also, delivery from some stores can take 1-2 hours depending on how busy they are, so plan ahead if you need groceries by a specific time.

i tried using mine yesterday and it was sooo confusing lol. ended up just giving up bcuz my ebt kept getting declined. they said some grocery items arent eligible even tho they should be?? idk maybe ill try again

If anyone is having trouble reaching CalFresh customer service to ask about online ordering options or eligibility issues, I found a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual person at my county office. They basically call for you and hold your place in line, then call you when a worker picks up. Saved me literally hours of waiting. Their video explains it better than I can: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 and the website is claimyr.com. I used it when I had questions about online ordering with my EBT and needed to update something in my account.

yes ive used it!! so the ebt only covers the actual food items that are snap eligible. not delivery fees or tips or anything extra. when u checkout it splits it automatically, u put in ur ebt card for food and a regular card for everything else. but i think its worth it when u dont have transportation. the fees add up tho so just be ready for that!

One important thing nobody mentioned: Make sure you keep your receipts from DoorDash orders. If there's ever an EBT/CalFresh audit (it happens randomly), you'll need to show that you only used benefits for eligible food items. Most people don't realize this until they get a notice from the county asking for verification of purchases.

Just to add some clarification on timing - I've found that selecting EBT as a payment method sometimes limits your delivery windows. Not all delivery slots accept EBT payment (particularly some of the premium/faster delivery options). So you might need to be a bit more flexible with when your groceries arrive if you're using CalFresh benefits.

I've been using EBT on DoorDash for about 6 months now and wanted to share some practical tips! First, yes the fees do add up - expect around $8-15 in extra costs (delivery + service + tip) on top of your grocery order. But when you're stuck without transportation, it's honestly a lifesaver. Pro tip: Look for stores offering "pickup" instead of delivery - you can still use your EBT for the groceries but avoid the delivery fees. You just need someone to pick it up for you. Also, I've noticed that ordering during off-peak hours (like Tuesday afternoons) sometimes has lower delivery fees. The automatic splitting at checkout works really well - it clearly shows you what's being charged to EBT vs your backup card before you confirm. Just make sure your backup payment method has enough to cover all the fees, because the transaction will fail if either payment doesn't go through.

I've been using EBT on DoorDash for a few weeks now and honestly it's been a game changer since I don't drive. Yes, the fees are annoying but when you're stuck at home it's worth it. A few things I learned: 1. Download the DoorDash app (not the website) - the EBT integration works better on mobile 2. Make sure you have at least $10-15 on your backup card for fees before you start shopping 3. Some stores like Walmart have better EBT-eligible selection than others 4. If your EBT gets declined, try removing and re-adding items one by one - sometimes there's random stuff that looks eligible but isn't The automatic splitting is pretty smooth once you get used to it. Just double check the breakdown before you hit confirm because you can't change payment methods after that. Hope this helps with your car situation!

I just started using EBT on DoorDash last month and wanted to share what I've learned since my situation sounds similar to yours! When my car was in the shop, I was really hesitant about the fees but it ended up being worth it for me. Here's what I wish I knew before my first order: - The fees typically run $10-18 depending on distance and order size (delivery fee + service fee + tip) - You HAVE to have a working debit/credit card with enough funds for fees or the whole order fails - Some items that seem obvious like energy drinks or vitamins aren't EBT eligible and will mess up your cart - Walmart and Safeway seem to have the best prices and selection for EBT orders The checkout process is actually pretty straightforward - it shows you exactly what's being charged to each payment method before you confirm. I'd say if you really need groceries and don't have other options, go for it, just budget for those extra fees. Two weeks without a car is rough so sometimes you gotta pay for the convenience!

I've been using EBT on DoorDash for about 4 months now and it's honestly been a lifesaver when I can't get to the store. Here's what I've learned that might help with your situation: The fees are definitely the biggest downside - expect around $12-20 total depending on your location and order size. But since your car's in the shop for 2 weeks, it might be worth it for at least a couple essential grocery runs. A few tips to make it work better: - Start with a smaller test order first to get familiar with how the payment splitting works - Stick to obvious SNAP-eligible items for your first order (bread, milk, canned goods, etc.) - Make sure your backup payment method has MORE than you think you'll need for fees - I got burned once when my card was declined for $2 short on fees - The Walmart and Albertsons options tend to have the most reasonable markup compared to in-store prices The app does a good job showing you the payment breakdown before you confirm, so you won't have any surprises. Just know that once you hit "place order," you can't go back and change payment methods if something goes wrong. Given that you're stuck without transportation for 2 weeks, I'd say it's worth trying at least once to see if it works for your situation. The convenience factor is huge when you have no other options!

I've been using EBT on DoorDash for grocery delivery for about 2 months now and it's been really helpful since I don't have reliable transportation. Here's what I've learned that might help you: The payment system works pretty smoothly - you add your EBT card info to the app, then when you checkout it automatically separates SNAP-eligible items (charged to EBT) from fees and non-eligible items (charged to your backup card). You'll see the exact breakdown before confirming. Fees typically run $8-16 total depending on distance, store, and tip. I usually budget an extra $20 on my backup card just to be safe. The convenience is worth it when you're stuck without a car, but definitely more expensive than shopping in person. A few things that caught me off guard: - Some stores have limited delivery windows when using EBT - Hot/prepared foods won't work even if they're from the grocery section - App prices are sometimes higher than in-store prices - You need both payment methods working or the whole order fails For your 2-week situation, I'd say try a small test order first from Walmart or Safeway to get familiar with the process. The pickup option someone mentioned is genius if you can find someone to grab your order - saves all the delivery fees!