The Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants, and Children, otherwise known as WIC, helps expecting and new mothers by providing an EBT card with which they can purchase necessary food for themselves and their children.
Although Amazon does offer many of the products available for purchase through the program, you may be wondering: Does Amazon accept WIC in [year]?
Does Amazon Accept WIC?
Unfortunately, Amazon does not currently accept WIC as a form of payment on their retail site. However, WIC recipients can receive Amazon Prime for half price, and the EBT card can be used at physical Whole Foods locations, but not on Amazon’s Whole Foods’ online market.
If you want to learn a bit more about how Amazon works with WIC, alternatives to using WIC funding on Amazon, and everything else there is to know about making purchases with WIC, we have everything you need to know right here.
Why Does Amazon Not Accept WIC?
Amazon has not released a statement that explains why they do not accept WIC for online purchases, however, the most probable reason is that the WIC regulations vary from state to state, making it tough for Amazon to ensure the correct rules are being followed.
Although it can be frustrating for many women with WIC, the funds are not available for use on online or in general stores, and therefore, Amazon is simply not allowed to accept the payment.
Can I Use My WIC Card on Amazon?
As you now know, you cannot use your WIC card for online or in-store Amazon purchases. But there is some good news: you can enter your WIC information on Amazon in order to receive a discount on your Prime membership.
Once again, you cannot actually use the card to pay for the membership, but by putting in your card info, you may just be able to cut your membership price in half!
How Do I Use WIC With Amazon Prime?
In order to receive the Amazon Prime membership discount with WIC, all you need to do is follow the instructions listed below:
- Take a photo of your WIC EBT card with your name and WIC number clearly visible.
- Open the Amazon Prime webpage.
- If you already have an account, sign in.
- If you do not have an account, follow the prompts to create one.
- Select the option to enter your EBT information.
- Enter your payment method.
That’s all there is to it! If you already have an account, your monthly fee will be adjusted, and if you create a new account, you can expect to see the discounted price retrieved from your bank account each month.
Alternatives to WIC on Amazon?
If there are still items on Amazon that you wish to purchase through a supplemental program’s funding, there is another option!
Even though Amazon does not accept WIC, it does accept SNAP. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program offers participants around the country an option to use their government-issued EBT card in order to purchase healthy food for their families.
The card can be used at most grocery stores or supermarkets, and luckily for everyone, Amazon! In fact, you can use a SNAP EBT card on Amazon’s website, in stores, for Amazon Fresh, or Amazon Whole Food Market Place.
However, it’s important to note that because a SNAP card can only be used for certain products according to the regulations, you first need to enter your EBT information before shopping. Amazon will then only show the options which are available for purchase with the EBT card.
Here is a cohesive list of SNAP-approved Amazon purchases:
- Fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products.
- Bread, cereals, canned vegetables, and pantry staples.
- Some snacks, seeds, and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Look for items labeled SNAP EBT Eligible.
Of course, SNAP and WIC are technically different programs, but many families who qualify for one can qualify for the other, so if you want to ensure you can purchase your family’s needs at Amazon, you will need to opt for the SNAP EBT card.
Where Can I Pay With WIC Online?
If, for any reason, you do not have the opportunity for SNAP funding, and want to use your WIC card to make purchases online, here are two of the online retailers you can currently use:
- Walmart
- Publix
While WIC vouchers are accepted at many other in-person stores, such as Walgreens, CVS, Kroger, Target, and many more, most of these companies have not yet opted for the program to be available on their online platforms.
The good news is most people expect this to change in the near future, and hopefully, by the end of the year, the list for online purchases with WIC will be much longer!
Does Amazon Plan to Accept WIC in the Future?
Although it’s tough to anticipate what the future will bring, most experts agree that Amazon most likely plans to accept WIC in the near future.
Not only is the process becoming easier and more organized, but Amazon and SNAP/WIC are also working closely together to ensure that citizens within the program can get what they need when they need it!
Conclusion
Amazon does not currently accept WIC as a form of payment online or in their in-person stores. However, uploading your WIC card will lead to a discount on your Prime membership. The only supplemental EBT card Amazon currently accepts is through SNAP.
