Five Below does not accept EBT cards for purchases in stores or online
Five Below, the discount retailer that sells items for $5 and under, does not take SNAP benefits (the program formerly called food stamps) or any other form of EBT. This applies to all Five Below locations and their website. If you have an EBT card, you cannot use it to pay at Five Below.
The reason is straightforward: Five Below sells toys, home goods, seasonal items, and other non-food merchandise. SNAP benefits only work at stores that sell food for home preparation. Five Below does not meet that requirement, so their registers are not set up to accept EBT cards at all.
If you are looking for a place to use SNAP benefits, you need a retailer that sells groceries — supermarkets, farmers markets, some convenience stores, and a small number of dollar stores that carry food items. Five Below is not one of them.
Key Takeaways
- Five Below does not accept EBT or SNAP cards because it does not sell food for home preparation.
- EBT cards only work at stores that are authorized to sell groceries and other food items.
- You can use EBT at supermarkets, farmers markets, and some convenience stores that carry food.
- Five Below accepts standard payment methods like debit cards, credit cards, and cash.
Where you can actually use EBT
SNAP benefits work at any store that has been authorized by the USDA to accept them. The list includes most supermarkets, many grocery stores, some farmers markets, and a handful of dollar stores — but only the ones that stock food items for home cooking and eating. Target, Walmart, and Kroger accept EBT. Dollar General and Family Dollar do in some locations, but only if that specific store carries groceries.
You can search for authorized retailers on the SNAP Retailer Locator at fns.usda.gov. Enter your zip code and the tool shows you every store near you that takes EBT. This is the fastest way to find out which stores in your area will accept your card.
Farmers markets also accept EBT in most states. Some markets have a booth where you can convert your EBT balance into tokens or vouchers that work like cash at the market stands. Call ahead to ask whether the market near you runs that program.
What Five Below does accept for payment
Five Below takes all standard payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, debit cards, and cash. They also accept their own Five Below credit card if you have applied for one. You can pay in person at any store or online at fivebelow.com.
If you are shopping online, Five Below also accepts PayPal and Apple Pay. In stores, you can use any of the card types listed above or cash. There are no special payment restrictions — the only thing they do not take is EBT.
Why some stores take EBT and others do not
The USDA decides which stores can accept SNAP benefits based on what they sell. A store must stock a certain amount of food items that people can prepare at home — things like fresh produce, meat, dairy, bread, and canned goods. Stores that sell only prepared food, household items, or non-food merchandise do not may have access to.
Five Below falls into the non-food category. Even though they sell some items that might seem like household essentials — cleaning supplies, storage bins, kitchen gadgets — they are not authorized as a food retailer. The USDA's rules are specific: the store has to be primarily in the business of selling food for home preparation.
This is why you might see EBT accepted at Walmart or Target (which have grocery sections) but not at Five Below, TJ Maxx, or HomeGoods (which do not).
How to check if a store takes EBT before you go
The SNAP Retailer Locator is the official tool. Go to fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator, enter your zip code, and you will see a map and list of every authorized store in your area. The list includes the store name, address, and sometimes a phone number.
You can also call the store directly and ask. Most customer service lines can tell you in seconds whether they accept EBT. If you are shopping online, check the store's website — most retailers list their payment methods on the checkout page or in their FAQ section.
For farmers markets, call the market directly or check their website. Many post their EBT policy on their social media pages or in their seasonal announcements.
What to do if you need items Five Below sells
If you are looking for toys, seasonal decorations, or household goods and you only have EBT to spend, you have a few options. First, check whether you have any cash available — EBT is for food, but you may have other money you can use for non-food items. Second, ask family or friends whether they can help you purchase the item. Third, look for the same items at thrift stores, which sometimes carry similar merchandise at lower prices.
Some community organizations and nonprofits also distribute household items, toys, and seasonal goods to people in need. Call your local 211 service (dial 2-1-1 from any phone) and ask whether any programs in your area offer these items.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my EBT card at Five Below online?
No. Five Below does not accept EBT cards online or in stores. Their website only takes credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay.
Does Five Below sell any food items I could buy with EBT?
Five Below does not sell groceries or food items for home preparation. Even though they carry some kitchen-related products, the store is not authorized to accept SNAP benefits.
What if I have both EBT and a debit card?
Use your debit card or credit card at Five Below. Save your EBT card for authorized food retailers like supermarkets and farmers markets.
How do I find stores near me that take EBT?
Use the SNAP Retailer Locator at fns.usda.gov. Enter your zip code and the tool shows every authorized store in your area, including supermarkets, some dollar stores, and farmers markets.
Can I use EBT at Target or Walmart instead?
Yes, both Target and Walmart accept EBT because they have grocery sections. You can only use EBT to buy food items, not clothing, toys, or household goods — even at stores that accept the card.