[cluffgirl]

This is the first time we have had food stamps and had to buy formula. I was under the impression that formula was covered, but when I tried it on Targets "Costco" type 2 pack of formula it wouldn't take it off. We are expecting a baby in September so I was trying to stock up and buy a little every month. Has anyone with food stamps tried buying the 2 pack? Or even regular formula? Thanks!

[hartofgld]

You can buy formula on the ebt, but if you were at a regular Target, they only accept the cash part not food. I have used the ebt (food) in the past but was told that only the cash portion can be used there and not the food. I do know you can use either cash or food at Walmart, so that helps some in getting a lower cost formula. Not real cool when Target has the 2-packs cheaper. HTH

[couponaddictqc]

u should try signing up for wic when the baby comes. then you wont need to use your food stamps for formula. the wic income limits are also higher than the food stamp limits.

[dani113077]

Originally Posted by couponaddictqc

u should try signing up for wic when the baby comes. then you wont need to use your food stamps for formula. the wic income limits are also higher than the food stamp limits.

I would try and get on wic now. You can get on wic if you are pregnant, and get milk and other things to help out. (found this out when I got pregnant and shortly after hubby got laid off from work) You can add the baby when it get here and get the formula.

[nelliescloset]

FYI-If you qualify for WIC, you do not have to wait for the baby to be born, you can get WIC for yourself (and any infant/child under the age of 5). I don't know what the income requirements are now.....but way back in the day when I had little ones (my youngest is 9 years old now), I qualified for WIC and it was a huge help. I would get milk, cheese, peanut butter (or dried beans), cereal and juice while I was pregnant and then formula (and baby cereal and juice) for the baby. If you breastfeed then you get the supplemental foods you received when you were pregnant.

[funluvinmom]

I am not sure why you were not able to use the ebt at Target for the costco brand. But my targets are not super, and the ebt does work for food. I have used it myself. But perhaps they have the item listed as general merchandise vs food. You should inquire about it. I am in IL, not sure where you are. But I know from using the card myself, it will work on buying formula and food.
However as others stated, you should make an appointment for wic! I know here it takes sometime to get an appointment, so you might as well get it now since you do qualify! good luck!

[carlajworkman]

Originally Posted by hartofgld

You can buy formula on the ebt, but if you were at a regular Target, they only accept the cash part not food. I have used the ebt (food) in the past but was told that only the cash portion can be used there and not the food. I do know you can use either cash or food at Walmart, so that helps some in getting a lower cost formula. Not real cool when Target has the 2-packs cheaper. HTH

More retailers say yes to food stamps - USATODAY.com

This article says that they expanded from Super Targets to all Targets back in June. Target was one of a string of stores that started taking food stamps in 2009 due to the recession etc. I wrote a huge paper on the effects of the recession on future retail and consumer spending for my master's class last fall and did some heavy research on retail/shoppers and increased government supplemental programs so I have a lot of these stories in my favorites

[cluffgirl]

hmmm... maybe it was just listed wrong in their system. I bought it at a regular Target, not Super Target but just bought cereal there this weekend and it worked fine on my card. I am planning on looking into WIC, but couldn't refuse buying the formula because it was on clearance for $13.XX for the 2 pack. I'm thinking about going to Super Target and trying it there, maybe I can return it if it works there.

[carlajworkman]

Maybe they weren't coded right in the system because the bulk items are a seasonal item. Targets thought may be that since most of the bulk clubs don't take EBT, that they wouldn't on the bulk type products. I would take back your receipt and question it- I don't think going to a Super Target will fix the situation, since all stores now except the same payments.

On another note, that's a great price! But I wouldn't stock up too much in fear that maybe your little one will need soy or hypoallergenic formula- then you are stuck with what you stockpiled That's based on my own stinky experience

[pharmjenn]

Be careful about stocking up on formula, whether you pay with cash or ebt (or WIC). Check expiration dates carefully, in my experience, they don't have much longer than a year shelf life. Also, you never know what your baby will tolerate. Wouldn't want to have a ton of one brand, and not be able to use it.

[marimelisa25]

You should also check into any nonprofits around for pregnant women. When I was pregnant with my first, I wasn't working very much, and my boyfriend (now husband) wasn't working much either. I found this place were if you came in once a week to watch a parenting video, they would "pay" you $3 to use in their "store". I got 12 diapers for $.50, formula for $1, baby clothes, etc. By the time she was born, I had at least 3 months worth of diapers in my closet! Definately worth looking into.

[asaby]

i think i know why it did not work i just got a box of the frito lay 5.98 for 27 and i looked at the receipt it did not say frito lay it said club bonus so maybe that is how they marked everything in that wholesale side of target.so it might not recognize it as food.

[Devins mom]

Originally Posted by carlajworkman

.

On another note, that's a great price! But I wouldn't stock up too much in fear that maybe your little one will need soy or hypoallergenic formula- then you are stuck with what you stockpiled That's based on my own stinky experience

I was going to say this same thing. My youngest DS has not been able to drink regular formula or soy, he was on hypoallergenic. You just never really know if they can drink the regular stuff or not.

[mrsfloyd]

Watch out stocking up on a bunch of formula - some babies are sensitive to one brand or another and have to switch, so you don't want to get stuck with something the baby might not be able to use. WIC is VERY helpful (I have a friend who needs it and it is just great for her) - if you formula-feed, you'll get a decent amount of free formula, however you very well may not get enough to last the month and still have to buy some - and if you breastfeed, you get additional food items for yourself since of course you need to eat well in order to produce plenty of milk for the baby.

[cluffgirl]

Thanks for all the advise! I'm not gonna stock up too much, as I plan on breast feeding. But it's nice to have a few containers around. I did check the expiration date and it's 2012 so I'm good there, and if I don't end up using it I'm 24 and EVERYONE I know is in the middle of having babies so it will make a great baby shower present.
Just as a side note to the person who said that maybe since it's considered a bulk item, and warehouse stores don't accept ebt, that's why it didn't work. But actually all the warehouse stores where I live anyway's (AZ) take ebt. Sam's Club has for a while and Costco just started accepting it! Just in case any one wanted to know!

[CKFreebie81]

I still know of a target store that does not take the food part of the ebt. It is actually in an upper class area and I found that to be uncool. It seems like they don't want "lower class" people shopping at that target. As for stocking up on formula, I don't see it as the best idea. My son ended up being allergic to cows milk protein and had to have hypoallergenic formula ($26 small can) You really need to look into WIC asap.

[masonsmommy]

Originally Posted by Devins mom

I was going to say this same thing. My youngest DS has not been able to drink regular formula or soy, he was on hypoallergenic. You just never really know if they can drink the regular stuff or not.

Ditto! I have gone through 3 different brands and 4 different types of formula to find the right one for my son. Every baby is different and you never know what type of formula they will need to be on.

[Jacksonsmommy]

i agree with everyone on here, be careful about stockpiling formula. i would reccommend going onto enfamil.com and similac.com and signing up for their "parenting programs" or whatever they are called and they will send you free cans of formula and formula checks.(i put the links below) i know enfamil sent one can and a bunch of checks and similac sent me two cans of formula (one regular and one soy) and checks to use. i was also given a few cans of formula at the hospital in the free diaper bags that the formula companies give away too.

https://www.enfamil.com/app/iwp/Cons...1&r=3443714099

https://similac.com/signup-similac?wt=signup1

as far as the ebt you should have been able to buy formula because it is a food item, my guess is that it probably wasn't coded right in their system as a foodstampable item. HTHs

[mdrg2281]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned yet that breastmilk is FREE!

[asaby]

Originally Posted by mdrg2281

I'm surprised no one has mentioned yet that breastmilk is FREE!

ditto but also forgot to mention that breasfeeding is NOT for everyone !!!!

like me none of my babies and i have 3 latched on my breast and think of having a baby criying all day just beacuse is hungry,so i support breastfeeding but also know for personal experiance is not for everyone.

[JessicaJ]

I have to chime in and tell you how wonderful WIC has been here in my part of VA.

My son had to have a hypoallergenic next step toddler formula as he had GERD and GI tract issues. A one month supply quite literally was as much as our mortgage. I'm not exaggerating. They also paid for his VERY expensive infant formula as well.

He was on Peptamen Jr with Prebio fiber. It cost $195. for 24 eight ounce cans. He was going through 5-7 cans per DAY!!!!!

All we had to do was apply, get approved and have the GI sign the proper paper work for the WIC office to order it for us.

We just had them order it for delivery at our house. I never had to step a foot out of my house.

Now, because he was a toddler and was still on a formula due to medical issues, the food we got for him was limited.

Once medically we were able to drop the formula and his tube feedings, we got the regular food package.

Also, I had a miscarriage in Jan of 2009. They popped me on WIC as a pregnant woman and I was able to get extra food during that time, even for post partum once I had M.C.

It is soo worth the immense hassle of going there for appt.

[JessicaJ]

Originally Posted by mdrg2281

I'm surprised no one has mentioned yet that breastmilk is FREE!

Not all children can breastfeed. My child was not medically able to do so because of his heart condition, he was literally dying every day. He was too weak to suck because just breathing took all of his effort.

I would have LOVED to breastfeed and gave it the most valiant effort for about 2 weeks. He just would NOTfeed because he had NO energy.

My choice was taken from me and it saddens me to this day that it was taken out of my hands.

[my sweet blessings]

Originally Posted by mdrg2281

I'm surprised no one has mentioned yet that breastmilk is FREE!

THis mama already stated that she plans to breastfeed I am a HUGE breastfeeding supporter, but recognize that not everyone can BF. My first son ended up on formula after several issues. Heartbroken as I was because the breastfeeding ended, I was thankful for formula. He had to eat something. Thankfully, my second was able to be 100% breastfed with NO issues and everything was peachy keen - he nursed until he was almost 2 1/2

[chevchic64]

Word of caution if you plan on breastfeeding. If it is important to you to breastfeed, do not have formula in the house. It makes it "too easy" to resort to. If you still want to have some just in case, keep it at someone else's house. Even if you can't breastfeed for whatever reason, a breastpump is often covered by insurance. Breastmilk can be frozen in the freezer for 3-4 months or deepfreezer for longer.

My first doctor was TOO PUSHY on formula, got rid of them FAST. I swear they earn a commission on formula.

[ajmom]

I get wic but don't qualify for food stamps we make 70$ to much, so most definately you will get wic family of 4 cut off is like 36,000 i believe for wic, also if your child on medical card you get wic automatically...best of luck