Can I participate in Target gift card promos if I use my EBT card?

[danivdp]

and on the same terms and
conditions applicable to cash purchases of the same foods at the same
store

I think this is the important part though.....if I was paying with Cash, I'd get the gift card...........

[dreamer3j]

The ad for the promo didn't prohibit getting the gift card when using an EBT card for payment like it does with the prescriptions if you are on medicaid or medicare. I think we all know that the individual CS reps may not know all the company policy but I think corporate would do their homework prior to running the sale in their add. As someone mentioned before if they violate the law pertaining to the use of foodstamps they can loose their license to accept food stamps.

[loaslaen]

If you actually read the document they are not referring to manufacturer coupons. They are referring to the acutal food stamp coupons. In Texas we don't have those any longer. They now issue a lone star card which is just like a debit card. Am I the only one that is taking it that way?? I have read it like 3 times.:shrug7:

That is why my excerpt included the following:

"Coupons" in the following paragraph refers to "food stamps":
(From the USDA food stamp policy)

[pennywatcher]

We crossed the line on this thread and so I sent a copy over to the Hot Under the Collar forum. I stripped the thread here in the Target forum down. We can talk here about whether it is or isn't legal to earn the gift card and evidence we have that it is/isn't. If earning the gift card is legal, we can talk about what order to present coupons, cash, and EBT card in a transaction so as not to confuse the register. Discussions of whether an individual thinks it's "right" for an EBT user to get the promotional gift card should go in the HUTC thread. Generalizations about food stamp recipients should go in the HUTC thread, if anywhere.

I've contacted the USDA/FNS on this question, but I expect it will be awhile before I get a response.

[tenisha]

It is not against the law in any state to utilize state aid in any form with store promotions or discounts. According to the UDSA Food and Nutrition Services, and State HRA agencies, any store accepting EBT/Food Stamps/WIC denying particular incentives to individuals because they are not paying in "cash" counts as discrimination, and the offending stores will be penalized. As long as the aid was used for both whom and what it was intended to be used for, any other bonus promotions are totally acceptable. I got my information first hand in various letters that I've written myself to these agencies concerning similar scenarios.

This makes the Quaker gift card deal valid to even customers paying with foodstamps- and even WIC. Let's say that there is a B1G1F promotion at a store for cereal. If someone had a WIC voucher allowing them to get two boxes of that particular cereal , then they are entitled to four boxes because the WIC transaction was done during the time of that store promotion. The same would apply even if the promotion was "buy two boxes of cereal and get a $5 GC", even if the cereal was purchased using a WIC voucher. The same goes with WIC transactions and coupons. The same said WIC voucher for two boxes of cereal is still valid for getting two more boxes of cereal if someone has two B1G1F coupons. A store which accepts both EBT/WIC and manufacturer's coupons cannot deny a customer using state aid any services that it allows "cash paying" customers. The "abuse" is only in let's say if someone tries to re-sell food intended for themselves or minor children (purchased with state aid) to someone else for cash-absolutely illegal.

Just because someone says that they work for an agency - particularly state and government agencies does not in any shape, form, or fashion make them expert authorities. The guidelines, rules and regulations for these agencies are so intricate and have titles, sections, laws and by laws that are so detailed and long- (think of three or four telephone directories combined as one book kind of long) that there are things that even social workers are still learning after years of in field experience.

[pennywatcher]

The response I got back from FNS/USDA was:

This is in response to your inquiry to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the Food Stamp Program. You said that Target was giving customers a gift card when they purchased boxes of oatmeal and wanted to know if SNAP recipients were eligible for the gift card.

Program regulations require that SNAP benefits “shall be accepted for eligible foods at the same prices and on the same terms and conditions applicable to cash purchases of the same foods at the same store.” This means that you should be eligible for the gift cards.

I hope this information is helpful.

[loaslaen]

The response I got back from FNS/USDA was:

Program regulations require that SNAP benefits “shall be accepted for eligible foods at the same prices and on the same terms and conditions applicable to cash purchases of the same foods at the same store.” This means that you should be eligible for the gift cards.

Originally Posted by loaslaen

"Coupons" in the following paragraph refers to "food stamps":
(From the USDA food stamp policy)

Equal treatment for coupon customers. Coupons shall be accepted
for eligible foods at the same prices and on the same terms and
conditions applicable to cash purchases of the same foods at the same
store except that tax shall not be charged on eligible foods purchased
with coupons.