Shopping can be a blast, especially when you’re hunting for awesome deals. Five Below is a popular store known for its super affordable stuff – everything is generally five dollars or less! But if you’re using an EBT card (that’s Electronic Benefit Transfer), you might be wondering if you can use it at Five Below. Let’s dive into whether this cool store accepts EBT and what you need to know.
The Simple Answer: Does Five Below Take EBT?
No, Five Below does not accept EBT cards. This means you can’t use your EBT card to pay for items at the store. This is because Five Below primarily sells non-food items. EBT benefits are usually designed to purchase specific types of food.
What Can You Buy with EBT?
EBT cards are mainly used to purchase groceries and other food items. The items you can buy depend on the specific rules of the EBT program in your state, but generally, you can purchase.
Food items commonly allowed by EBT.
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Meat, Poultry, and Fish
- Dairy products
- Breads and Cereals
- Snacks
- Non-alcoholic beverages
However, there are some restrictions on what you can buy with EBT.
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tobacco products
- Vitamins and supplements
- Prepared foods
- Non-food household items
These limitations are set in place to ensure that EBT benefits are used for their intended purpose: providing food assistance.
Why Doesn’t Five Below Accept EBT?
The main reason Five Below doesn’t accept EBT is because of what they sell. Five Below’s shelves are stocked with items like toys, games, room décor, accessories, and other fun, but non-essential, products. These types of items generally don’t fall under the guidelines of what EBT can be used for. EBT cards are meant to help people access food and groceries, so stores that sell primarily those items are more likely to accept EBT.
Here is a list of item types and whether they would be allowed under an EBT program.
| Item Type | Typically EBT Eligible? |
|---|---|
| Groceries | Yes |
| Clothing | No |
| Toys | No |
| Household Goods | No |
Five Below focuses on selling fun and affordable products, which are not typically EBT-eligible items.
Alternative Payment Options at Five Below
Even though Five Below doesn’t accept EBT, you still have plenty of other ways to pay for your purchases! They accept most standard forms of payment.
Here are some methods that Five Below accepts
- Cash
- Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
- Debit cards
- Gift cards (Five Below gift cards and sometimes other major retailer gift cards)
It is always a good idea to check with your local Five Below store to verify which payment methods they accept. This will help you plan your shopping trip ahead of time and avoid any issues at the checkout.
Where Can You Use Your EBT Card?
So, where can you use your EBT card? The answer is simple: at stores that sell eligible food items. These typically include grocery stores, supermarkets, and some convenience stores. These stores have systems in place to process EBT payments and allow you to purchase food.
Here is a list of common places where you can use your EBT card:
- Grocery stores (e.g., Kroger, Safeway, Publix)
- Supermarkets (e.g., Walmart, Target, Aldi)
- Farmers markets (often, check your local market)
- Some online grocery services
Remember to always look for the EBT logo or ask a store employee if you are unsure if they accept EBT.
When you are shopping with your EBT card, be sure to separate your food purchases from your non-food purchases. That way you can avoid confusion at the checkout.
Here’s a quick reference:
- Grocery Stores = Yes
- Fast Food Restaurants = Sometimes
- Online Retailers (Amazon, etc.) = Sometimes
- Department Stores (Target, Walmart, etc.) = Yes
- Five Below = No
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Five Below is a great store for finding cool and affordable stuff, it doesn’t accept EBT cards. This is because the store’s focus is not on food items, which are what EBT benefits are typically used for. If you’re looking to use your EBT card, you’ll want to head to a grocery store or supermarket. But for all the fun, non-food goodies, you’ll need to bring a different form of payment to Five Below!