Unfortunately, using WIC cards on Instacart is not currently possible. The WIC program, which provides nutritional assistance to low-income families, has specific guidelines for how authorized participants can use their benefits. These guidelines typically require WIC cards to be used in-person at authorized retail grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and other approved locations. As Instacart is an online grocery delivery service, it does not meet the in-person requirement and is therefore not eligible for WIC card usage.
WIC-Eligible Foods on Instacart
The WIC program provides supplemental nutrition assistance to low-income women, infants, and children. WIC-eligible foods include:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Dairy products
- Whole grains
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Infant formula
WIC benefits can be used to purchase these foods at authorized grocery stores and farmers markets. However, Instacart is not currently an authorized WIC vendor.
| Food Group | Examples |
|---|---|
| Fruits and vegetables | Apples, oranges, bananas, carrots, celery |
| Dairy products | Milk, cheese, yogurt |
| Whole grains | Bread, pasta, rice, oatmeal |
| Meat, poultry, and fish | Chicken, beef, pork, tuna, salmon |
| Infant formula | Similac, Enfamil, Gerber |
Payment Methods Accepted by Instacart
Instacart accepts various payment methods for convenient grocery shopping. The following are the modes of payment you can utilize on Instacart:
- Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
- Debit cards (with a Visa or Mastercard logo)
- Instacart gift cards
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- Venmo (only for pickup orders)
- Cash (only for pickup orders and varies by store)
- EBT/SNAP (only for pickup orders and varies by store)
It’s important to note that Instacart does not currently accept WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) cards as a form of payment. However, some WIC-approved stores may offer pickup services through Instacart and accept WIC cards at the store location upon pickup.
For the most up-to-date information on accepted payment methods, please refer to Instacart’s website or contact their customer support team.
| Payment Method | Instacart Delivery | Instacart Pickup |
|---|---|---|
| Credit cards | ✅ | ✅ |
| Debit cards | ✅ | ✅ |
| Instacart gift cards | ✅ | ✅ |
| Apple Pay | ✅ | ✅ |
| Google Pay | ✅ | ✅ |
| Venmo | ❌ | ✅ |
| Cash | ❌ | ✅ |
| EBT/SNAP | ❌ | ✅ |
| WIC | ❌ | ❌ |
WIC and Instacart
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides food assistance to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, as well as infants and children up to the age of 5. WIC benefits can be used to purchase a variety of healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, milk, and cheese.
Instacart is an online grocery delivery service that allows customers to order groceries from their favorite stores and have them delivered to their doorstep. Instacart accepts WIC benefits at a number of participating stores, including Kroger, Walmart, and Safeway.
How to Add WIC Benefits to Instacart
- Create an Instacart account.
- Add your WIC EBT card as a payment method.
- Start shopping for eligible WIC items.
- At checkout, select “WIC EBT” as your payment method.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind when using WIC benefits on Instacart:
- You can only use WIC benefits to purchase eligible WIC items.
- You cannot use WIC benefits to pay for delivery fees or other charges.
- You may need to show your WIC card to the delivery driver at the time of delivery.
| Store | Accepts WIC Benefits |
|---|---|
| Kroger | Yes |
| Walmart | Yes |
| Safeway | Yes |
Thanks for sticking with me through all of that! If you’re still curious about using WIC benefits on Instacart, I hope this article has given you some clarity. Remember, the specifics can vary depending on your state, so it’s always a good idea to check with your local WIC office or visit the Instacart website for the latest information. In the meantime, keep calm and grocery on! Be sure to visit again soon for more grocery-related tips and tricks. Take care!