Five Below does not accept SNAP benefits (food stamps) in its stores or online

Five Below is a discount retailer that sells toys, games, home décor, tech accessories, and seasonal items — not groceries or food. Because SNAP benefits (the federal food stamp program) can only be used to buy food for home preparation, Five Below is not set up to process SNAP payments. You cannot use a SNAP card at Five Below, whether you shop in person or order online.

This is not a policy choice by Five Below. SNAP rules set which merchants can accept the benefit, and only retailers that sell food items for human consumption may have access to. Five Below's inventory does not include groceries, fresh produce, meat, dairy, or any other food products, so the store has no reason to integrate SNAP payment systems.

Key Takeaways

  • SNAP benefits work only at stores that sell food for home preparation, and Five Below sells toys, décor, and accessories instead.
  • You cannot use a SNAP card at Five Below in stores or online under any circumstances.
  • If you receive SNAP benefits, you can use them at grocery stores, supermarkets, farmers markets, and some convenience stores that stock food items.
  • Five Below does accept other payment methods including debit cards, credit cards, and gift cards.

Where you can actually use SNAP benefits

SNAP benefits work at any store authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to accept them. This includes supermarkets like Kroger, Safeway, and Whole Foods; grocery chains like Trader Joe's and Aldi; farmers markets in most states; and some convenience stores and dollar stores that stock food items. The USDA maintains a searchable directory of authorized retailers on its website, and you can also ask a cashier whether a store accepts SNAP.

The key rule is straightforward: the store must sell food that you can take home and prepare yourself. This means fresh vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, canned goods, frozen meals, and pantry staples all may have access to. Items you cannot buy with SNAP include hot prepared food, vitamins, pet food, alcohol, tobacco, and non-food items like cleaning supplies or paper products — even if a store sells both food and those other things.

What Five Below does accept as payment

Five Below takes standard payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, debit cards, and PayPal both in stores and online. The store also sells Five Below gift cards, which you can purchase with any of those methods and then use to buy merchandise. If you have SNAP benefits but want to shop at Five Below, you would need to use a different payment source — either cash, a debit card, or a credit card.

Five Below does not offer layaway, payment plans, or store credit programs, so you must have the full payment ready at checkout.

How SNAP benefits work if you receive them

SNAP benefits are loaded onto a card that looks like a debit card, called an EBT card (Electronic Benefits Transfer). You use it the same way you would use a debit card at the checkout, and the cashier will tell you whether the store accepts it. The card works only for food purchases — the register will reject it if you try to buy non-food items, even if you are shopping at a store that accepts SNAP.

If you are unsure whether you receive SNAP or whether your benefits are active, you can check your state's SNAP program website or call the number on the back of your EBT card. Each state runs its own SNAP program, so the contact information varies by location.

Other discount retailers that do accept SNAP

Some discount stores do accept SNAP because they stock food items. Dollar General, for example, accepts SNAP at locations that have a grocery section with items like bread, canned goods, and frozen meals. Walmart and Target both accept SNAP at all locations because they operate grocery departments. Dollar Tree does not accept SNAP at most locations because it does not sell food, though a small number of Dollar Tree stores in food deserts have been authorized to sell certain staple items and do accept SNAP.

Five Below has never added a grocery section and does not plan to, so it will not become a SNAP retailer. If you are looking for discount retailers where you can use SNAP, Walmart and Target are your most reliable options.

Why Five Below is not a food retailer

Five Below's business model is built around non-food merchandise — the store focuses on toys, games, tech gadgets, seasonal décor, and home goods, all priced at five dollars or less (or slightly more for larger items). Adding a grocery section would require different supply chains, refrigeration, food safety compliance, and staff training. The company has chosen to stay in its lane rather than compete with grocery stores and supermarkets.

This means Five Below will never process SNAP payments, and there is no workaround or exception. If you want to shop there, you will need to use cash or a card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my EBT card at Five Below if I buy only food items?

No. Five Below does not sell food items at all, so your EBT card will not work there regardless of what you try to purchase. The register will reject the card before you even reach checkout.

Does Five Below accept any government benefits?

Five Below does not accept SNAP, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), or any other government food benefits. It accepts standard payment methods: credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal.

What if I have both SNAP and cash — can I split my payment?

You cannot use SNAP at Five Below at all, so splitting your payment would not help. You would need to pay the entire purchase with cash, a debit card, or a credit card.

Are there any Five Below locations that accept SNAP?

No. Every Five Below store operates under the same policy and does not accept SNAP. The company has no grocery section at any location.

Where can I find stores near me that do accept SNAP?

The USDA maintains a searchable map of authorized SNAP retailers on its website. You can also call your state's SNAP program or ask at your local grocery store whether they accept benefits.