Nobody wants to be caught in a situation where EBT is not accepted after you’ve gathered everything you need for your purchase.
Putting everything out for the cashier that you are about to buy, only to find out they don’t accept your payment method, is very embarrassing. But it can be avoided by knowing ahead of time if the store takes accepts food stamps or EBT.
So, what about H Mart? Does H Mart accept food stamps or EBT? How will you know ahead of time if your local H Mart will take food stamps or EBT?
Yes, H Mart will accept your EBT as a form of payment in the store, even though it is not specifically stated. In addition, store representatives confirm that SNAP clients can use their benefits in the store for eligible items.
Read on to learn more about H Mart and how you can pay with your electronic benefits card and other forms of payment.
What is EBT?
Electronic Benefits Transfer is part of the SNAP program. SNAP, formally known as food stamps, stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The program helps needy families buy healthy food. SNAP is the largest program in the country that helps to fight hunger amount Americans.
What makes EBT and SNAP great is that it helps families work their budgets differently to pay for other necessities such as medical bills, rent, and utilities.
SNAP clients will receive monthly funds via EBT to assist with food purchases. The funds are used via an EBT card, which functions like a regular debit card used at authorized retailers nationwide.
SNAP serves everyone, including seniors, those with disabilities, low-income families, those suffering from unemployment, veterans, or active military.
How Do I Get SNAP?
To receive SNAP benefits, you need to be eligible for the program. To be eligible, you need to qualify. Each state differs when it comes to eligibility but is generally based on:
- You must be a US citizen, or a person with a legal immigration status must live in your home
- Your household income must be below a certain level
- Your household assets must be less than a certain amount
How Do I Apply for SNAP?
You can easily apply for SNAP benefits by mail, phone, or online. Each state varies in how you apply, but if you go to the government website, you will then be directed to your state’s website.
It can take up to 30 days for your application to be reviewed once submitted, and you may be asked to complete an interview with a SNAP representative.
https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory
What is H Mart?
H Mart is a chain of Asian supermarkets headquartered in Lyndhurst, New Jersey.
The store began in 1982 in Queens, New York, as a small corner market, which quickly expanded to add ten stores from 1982 to 1991. The stores were mainly in the Northeastern part of the country.
Within the next 30 years, the market opened stores throughout much of the east coast, as well as two stores in Denver, Colorado, and one in San Jose and San Fransico, California.
H Mart expanded into Canada, opening stores in British Columbia, Ontario, and Vancouver. In 2013 they opened stores in Toronto and Alberta.
The company continued to expand internationally, opening a store in London, England, in 2011.
As of 2021, 84 H Mart stores are found in the following states:
- Texas
- Arizona
- Colorado
- California
- Virginia
- Georgia
- Pennsylvania
- Hawaii
- North Carolina
- Illinois
- New York
- Maryland
- New Jersey
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
They also have stores in Canada and the United Kingdom, are the largest US chain specializing in Asian products and are a vital part of the Asian community. While they carry mostly Asian products, they also have a good variety of Western products.
Does H Mart Accept EBT or Food Stamps?
Representatives from many store locations have varied ways to use your EBT card to pay for groceries. But since the store’s webpage doesn’t specify which payment methods you can use, it may be different for each store.
Different states may have various rules for businesses regarding SNAP, so it’s best to check ahead of time whether the H Mart you are shopping at will take your EBT card.
How Do I Know If My H Mart Accepts EBT?
The H Mart website features a store finder page, where you can find the store you are interested in shopping at. You will then see that store’s phone number so you can easily call ahead of time to be sure.
By calling the store’s hotline at 877-427-7386 and inquiring, you can find out. They operate Monday through Friday and answer the phones from 9-6 EST.
https://www.hmart.com/ourstores
What Can I Purchase at H Mart With My EBT Benefits?
While H Mart offers many goods, from meals to home supplies to beauty products, SNAP restricts what you can buy.
You can purchase any food product that has a Nutritional Facts label, such as:
- Poultry
- Meat
- Fish
- Vegetables
- Fruit
- Cereal
- Bread
- Dairy products
- Snacks
- Non-alcoholic drinks
- Plants that can produce food
What Can’t I Buy at H Mart Using my EBT Benefits?
Any item that has a Supplement Facts label cannot be purchased. You also can not buy any hot, ready-to-eat meals. The following are other items that are restricted using your EBT card:
- Alcohol
- Cigarettes or tobacco products
- Beauty supplies
- Cleaning supplies
- Hygiene products
- Live animals
Can I Use My EBT Card Online at H Mart?
H Mart does not accept EBT payment for online purchases. However, if you wish to shop through their website, you can use your credit card, debit card, or PayPal.
How Do I Use My EBT Card at H Mart?
You use your SNAP benefits card in the same way you could use any other electronic payment. Let the cashier know how to prefer to pay. After swiping your card, you enter the four-digit PIN assigned when you first signed up for SNAP.
Conclusion
H Mart will accept EBT according to the store. Therefore, you should always reach out to your local H Mart to find out if they do indeed take EBT. Unfortunately, you can not use EBT online at H Mart, but you can use other forms of payment, such as credit or debit card and PayPal.
You can apply to your local SNAP office to find out if you are eligible for benefits that you can use to help feed your family if you are in need.
