WIC stands for Women Infants and Children. It is a governmental program launched to help infants, pregnant women, mothers, and children up to five by focusing on their nutritional and educational requirements. It is important to keep in mind that only certain retailers accept WIC benefits. Many WIC-eligible people ask “Does Sam’s Club accept WIC?”
Read our article to find out if you are eligible for this program, what items you can and cannot buy with WIC, and how to use a WIC card at eligible retailers.
WIC Eligibility
How to know if you are eligible for the WIC benefits?
To be eligible for the WIC benefits the applicants must meet certain categorical, financial, residential, and nutritional requirements. Go through the following points for a better understanding:
- All the applicants must reside in the state where they apply for the WIC program. It is simply due to the way the WIC program is structured– each state holds the management authority of its WIC program, though the funds are from the federal government.
- The women applying must be either pregnant, breastfeeding (eligible up to the child’s first birthday), postpartum (eligible up to 6 months of childbirth), or during the end of their pregnancy period.
- Children up to 5 years old are eligible.
- All applicants must have low income i.e. equal to or below the standard income level set by the state agency.
- The applicant is eligible if he/she is at nutritional risk. (for example, if the individual is underweight, diabetic, anemic, etc.) This must be confirmed by a health professional.
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So if you think you meet the above-mentioned criterion, make sure to apply for the WIC benefits program.
Why Doesn’t Sam’s Take WIC?
Sam’s Club claims not to accept WIC benefits because they are a members-only club. But some retailers even while being members-only clubs do accept WIC.
Well to be honest, there is no other clear reason for their refusal to WIC acceptance and why they choose not to become part of this program however, there could be multiple reasons. For instance, limited eligible items, small customer base (more catering to bulk buyers), offers discounts for large orders only, etc.
But don’t worry there are multiple other stores that do accept WIC EBT cards.
Because WIC benefits are only limited to products that ensure the nutritional requirements of vulnerable women, infants, and young children, Walmart is a much better go-to destination to avail of your WIC.
Stores That Accept WIC
Does Target accept WIC? Well, find out below.
Following is the well-researched and up-to-date list of retailers that take WIC : (not all the stores are mentioned here though)
- Winn Dixie
- Walmart
- Travis Grocery & Market
- Super Value
- CVS Pharmacy
- Walgreen
- Super stop & shop
- Big Y Foods
- L&M Convenience store
- Roche Bros Supermarkets
- Morton market
- Shaw’s Supermarket
- Target Store
- Manson Market
- Polaco market
- Market Basket
- Rosemary Market Corp
- America’s Food Basket
Wondering how to find a WIC store nearby? I suggest you use the WIC store locator.
Does Sam’s Club Accept Link Cards?
Yes. But not all of them though. Sam’s Club currently accepts SNAP/EBT/TANF cards only on online purchases, for that too you have to become a member first.
Keep in mind though, that even the Curbside pickups need to be paid online, I mean if you are paying with a link card.
Sam’s Club is not a WIC retailer, unfortunately.
How to Use EBT At Sam’s Club?
You can use EBT with Sam’s Scan & Go. It’s the mobile app for Sam’s Club. All you have to do is download and launch the app, scan the items, put them in your cart, and simply choose EBT as your payment method.
If you accidentally pick something that’s ineligible for EBT purchase, the app will inform you right away.
In the end, a receipt will pop up on your screen, that you’ll be asked to show at the exit door. That’s it. Easy right?
Also, Check Out: Does Sam’s Club take debt?
Available payment methods at Sam’s Club
The following are the payment methods of Sam’s Club:
- Cash or check
- Sam’s Club gift cards
- Walmart’s gift cards
- Debit card
- MasterCard
- American Express
- Visa
- Discover
- SNAP/EBT
- Prepaid Credit Cards
Does Sam’s Club Accept WIC Benefits FAQs
What can I buy with WIC?
You can buy fruits, vegetables, Breakfast cereals, infant foods, milk, peanut butter, instant formula, nutritional yogurt, whole grains, bread, legumes, Tofu, eggs, cheese, fish, juices, etc.
Will Sam’s Club ever accept WIC?
As for now, they don’t accept WIC but there’s a possibility they might do in the future because it’s not like they don’t accept link cards at all.
Does Kroger accept WIC?
Yes, it does. Kroger supports WIC cards through their apps but not through pick-up orders or deliveries.
Conclusion
Sam’s Club does not accept WIC cards. They do accept EBT/SNAP cards instead. So you cannot access your WIC benefits at Sam’s Club.
You also need to become a Sam’s Club member first to access your SNAP benefits.
Thank you for reading.
