Five Below does not accept SNAP benefits (EBT food cards) in its stores

Five Below is a discount retailer that sells toys, home goods, tech accessories, seasonal items, and some snacks. It does not participate in the SNAP program, which means you cannot use an EBT food card to pay for anything there. The store also does not accept TANF (Temporary information for Needy Families) cash benefits or WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) vouchers.

If you have an EBT card, you can only use it at stores that are authorized SNAP retailers. These include most grocery stores, supermarkets, farmers markets, and some convenience stores. Five Below's merchandise — even items that look like food — falls outside what SNAP covers, and the store has not signed up as a SNAP vendor.

Some people confuse Five Below with grocery stores because it carries snack foods and beverages. The difference matters: SNAP pays for food you prepare at home, not prepared food or non-food items. Five Below's snacks, drinks, and other goods do not meet SNAP rules, regardless of whether the store wanted to accept EBT.

Key Takeaways

  • Five Below does not accept EBT cards, TANF cash cards, or WIC vouchers at any of its locations.
  • SNAP benefits only work at authorized retailers, and Five Below is not one of them.
  • You can use your EBT card at grocery stores, supermarkets, farmers markets, and some convenience stores that display the SNAP logo.
  • Even though Five Below sells some snack foods, those items do not may have access to for SNAP payment under federal rules.

Where you can actually use SNAP benefits

To find stores that take EBT, look for the SNAP logo at the entrance or ask the cashier. Most chain grocery stores accept it — Walmart, Target, Kroger, Safeway, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Costco all participate. Local supermarkets and independent grocers usually do too, though not all of them.

Farmers markets in your area may also accept SNAP. Many have machines that let you swipe your EBT card, and some double your SNAP dollars up to a certain amount if you spend them there. You can search for farmers markets that take EBT on the USDA website by entering your zip code.

Convenience stores sometimes accept SNAP, but only for food items — not for gas, cigarettes, or other goods. If you are unsure whether a specific store takes EBT, call ahead or check your state's SNAP retailer locator. Your state's SNAP office website lists all authorized vendors in your area.

What SNAP does and does not cover

SNAP pays for food you cook or prepare yourself at home. This includes fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, dairy, bread, cereals, snack foods, and non-alcoholic beverages. You can buy frozen, canned, or fresh versions of these items.

SNAP does not pay for hot or prepared food, restaurant meals, vitamins, medicine, pet food, household supplies, or anything that is not food. It also does not cover alcohol or tobacco. This is why Five Below, which sells toys, decorations, school supplies, and other non-food items, cannot process SNAP payments — the store does not sell the kinds of things the program covers.

Other payment methods Five Below accepts

Five Below takes regular payment cards — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. It also accepts debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal. You can pay with cash at the register as well.

The store does not have its own credit card or loyalty program that offers special discounts. Five Below's main draw is its everyday low prices on brand-name items, not rewards or financing options.

How to stretch your SNAP budget further

If you are looking to save money on the items Five Below sells — toys, school supplies, seasonal goods — you will need to use regular payment methods. However, you can use your SNAP benefits at grocery stores to buy food, which frees up other money for non-food purchases.

Many grocery stores also sell some of the same types of items Five Below carries, like seasonal decorations or basic school supplies. Prices may be higher at the grocery store, but you can pay for food with SNAP and use cash or a card for other items in the same trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my EBT card at Five Below for any items?

No. Five Below does not accept EBT cards for any purchase. The store is not authorized to process SNAP payments, and most of what it sells — toys, home goods, tech items — would not may have access to for SNAP even if the store did accept it.

What if I have a TANF cash card instead of a food card?

TANF cash benefits work differently than SNAP. Some retailers accept TANF cards, but Five Below does not. Check with your state's TANF program or call the store directly to confirm what payment methods they take.

Does Five Below sell groceries or food items?

Five Below sells some snack foods and beverages, but it is not a grocery store and does not participate in SNAP. Even though it carries food, you cannot use an EBT card there. Use authorized grocery stores or supermarkets for SNAP purchases.

How do I find stores near me that take EBT?

Search your state's SNAP retailer locator on your state's SNAP office website, or use the USDA's store locator tool. You can also look for the SNAP logo at store entrances or ask the cashier whether they accept EBT.

Can I use EBT online at any retailers?

Some large retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target allow SNAP purchases online, but Five Below is not one of them. Check whether a store offers online EBT payment before you shop.