If you’re trying to stretch your budget while pursuing your creative hobbies, you might be wondering: Does Michaels accept EBT? Knowing whether you can use your SNAP benefits (also known as EBT) at craft stores like Michaels can make a big difference in what you can afford. This essay will break down everything you need to know about using EBT at Michaels, helping you understand the rules and what you can buy.
Understanding EBT and SNAP Benefits
Before diving into Michaels, it’s important to understand the basics of EBT and SNAP. EBT stands for Electronic Benefit Transfer, which is basically a fancy debit card that holds your SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. SNAP provides money to help low-income individuals and families buy food. However, there are rules about what you can purchase with SNAP benefits.
The main goal is to support healthy eating, so SNAP typically covers things like:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products
- Breads and cereals
- Seeds and plants to grow food
You can’t use SNAP to buy non-food items, like alcohol, tobacco, or pet food. The specifics can get tricky, which is why we need to discuss Michaels.
There are also state-specific rules so it is always best to check with the retailer and your local program.
What Can You Buy with EBT at Michaels?
Unfortunately, the short answer is: No, Michaels does not accept EBT cards. This is because Michaels is a craft store, and most of its products are not considered eligible food items under SNAP guidelines. You can’t use SNAP benefits to buy art supplies like paint, paper, brushes, or other crafting materials.
So, while you might be dreaming of stocking up on colorful yarn or fancy paintbrushes, you’ll need to use a different payment method for your purchases at Michaels.
Why Michaels Doesn’t Take EBT
The SNAP Guidelines
The main reason Michaels doesn’t accept EBT is that the items they sell don’t fit the definition of “eligible food” according to the USDA, which runs the SNAP program. SNAP is designed to help people buy groceries, not craft supplies.
This means that the types of products you might consider buying, like beads, canvases, stickers, clay, and glitter are generally not considered food. You have to follow the Federal rules set up by the USDA. Think of it like this: SNAP is specifically for groceries, and Michaels is a store for crafts.
Even if an item could be *used* to make food (like a small pot for cooking), it doesn’t change that the primary use isn’t for food. The USDA has the final say.
Here’s a simple table showing some common items and whether they are generally SNAP-eligible:
| Item | SNAP Eligible? |
|---|---|
| Apples | Yes |
| Paintbrushes | No |
| Flour | Yes |
| Glitter | No |
Retailer Eligibility
Stores need to be approved by the USDA to accept EBT. This approval process often involves demonstrating that a significant portion of their sales are from eligible food items. Because the focus of Michaels’ products is crafting and art supplies, it’s highly unlikely they would meet the necessary requirements to participate.
Even if they wanted to, it’s a long process to become a SNAP retailer. There are inspections, applications and training requirements involved to follow the federal rules. This helps make sure that the EBT benefits are used correctly.
Also, think about where you would buy food. You would go to a grocery store or food market, not a craft store. The retail landscape already has dedicated places to buy the food.
It’s also easier to make sure the fraud is kept at bay.
State and Local Rules
While the federal guidelines are the core rules, there can also be some variations depending on the state and locality. However, these variations usually don’t impact which stores accept EBT, just how the benefits are distributed or used within the state’s systems.
Sometimes, there might be local programs or initiatives that provide additional assistance, but these wouldn’t change Michaels’ EBT policy. To know about these programs, research your local county’s website for food assistance or programs.
Be aware of any potential changes in the future, but they would most likely not concern the retailer. Rules could change at the local or state level.
Even then, Michaels policy would still probably not change because they are selling primarily non-food items.
Alternatives for Paying at Michaels
Since you can’t use EBT, you’ll need other ways to pay for your Michaels purchases. This usually means using cash, a debit card, a credit card, or a gift card. The store often also has the option to use mobile payment apps such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.
You might also consider sales or coupons to help keep costs down. Coupons can sometimes offer really good savings on all kinds of things.
Here’s a simple list of alternative payment methods:
- Cash
- Debit Card
- Credit Card
- Gift Card
- Mobile Payment Apps
There are often ways to save money, so check to see if there are any ongoing promotions.
Finding Other Stores that Accept EBT
If you’re looking for places where you can use your EBT card, you’ll want to focus on stores that sell groceries and food items. This generally includes:
- Grocery stores (like Kroger, Safeway, etc.)
- Supermarkets
- Farmers Markets
- Some convenience stores and gas stations
If you are interested in getting some creative supplies and you can find items that can be used as food items, you might find these items at a grocery store. However, this is rare.
Check with each store to make sure they accept EBT. It’s always best to confirm their EBT policy. You can usually see a sign posted at the door or by the checkout.
If you are looking for cooking items, you can find these at a grocery store as well. Sometimes cooking supplies are sold in the same place as groceries.
Budgeting for Craft Supplies
Since EBT won’t work at Michaels, you might have to budget for your craft supplies differently. Think about planning your crafts in advance and setting a budget.
Start by figuring out how much money you have to spend on creative projects each month. Then, make a list of the supplies you want and compare prices. Look for sales and discounts.
Consider these tips for budgeting:
- Plan your projects.
- Make a list and compare prices.
- Look for sales and coupons.
- Buy supplies in bulk if you can.
You can also consider if you could use craft supplies for your meals. Could you use craft supplies that you can buy at a grocery store?
Conclusion
So, to summarize: No, Michaels does not accept EBT. This is because the store mainly sells craft supplies, which aren’t considered eligible food items under SNAP guidelines. If you’re shopping at Michaels, you’ll need to use cash, a debit or credit card, or another form of payment. If you need to use EBT, you’ll want to shop at stores that sell groceries, like grocery stores and supermarkets. By understanding these rules, you can plan your shopping and budget for your creative projects!